Located in southwestern California, Temecula is a popular resort city with just over 110,000 residents. It is mostly recognized for its spectacular wine country and gardens and is home to the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival as well as the International Film Festival. It is named for the Temecula Indians who settled here hundreds of years before the Spanish came in 1797. The historic city is almost 60 miles north of San Diego and over 80 miles from Los Angeles, so it is close to both of these renowned vacation destinations.
Old Town Temecula is a popular spot here as well, featuring a farmers’ market, museums, car shows, art galleries, and many different events and concerts all year long. With warm temperatures all year long, outdoor activities are plentiful, and you will find over 35 parks to visit, and many of them allow leashed dogs. Here are our top 15 choices for dog parks in Temecula.
Aldergate Park Dog Park
Pack up your pup and some toys and jump on Interstate 215. Head north for 16 miles just past Menifee Lakes, where you will find an awesome dog park at Aldergate Park in Menifee. Located in the southeastern corner of the park on the corner of Menifee Road and Aldergate Drive, this large park has separate sections for large and small dogs so all sizes and breeds can feel comfortable playing.
The small dog section is for dogs 30 pounds and under and is about a third of an acre, while the other section is about 1.3 acres. The large section is for any size of dog so you can bring your little ones to that area if he likes to play with the big dogs. Both sections have plenty of grass and bark mulch for the cuddly canines to run around on, as well as benches, water fountains, and waste stations with poop bags for easy cleanup. However, it never hurts to bring your own doggie bags and water.
Alga Norte Community Dog Park
Alga Norte Community Park is 29 miles southwest of Temecula, near the Pacific coastline. This pup paradise can be found in the southeastern corner of Alga Norte Community Park behind the baseball fields on Poinsettia Lane and Alicante Road. It is easy to find with a giant dog bone sign out front. It has a special area for timid and small dogs and another larger area for all dogs. The small area has a few agility stations, like hoops to jump through and tunnels to zip through.
In the bigger area, your playful pup can join the other four-legged fur babies up, over, and under A-frames, through the elevated tunnels, and up and over the ramps. There are water fountains with doggie bowls in each section, as well as shaded picnic tables and other seating for the pup parents. To make cleanup a breeze, the park also provides free doggie bags, but bring your own if you have them.
Ann D. L’Heureux Memorial Dog Park
Get your pup ready for a trip to Ann D. L’Heureux Memorial Dog Park in Carlsbad. Pack up some extra water, doggie bags, treats, and toys, and it is just seven miles northwest of Alga Norte Community Dog Park. The park lauds almost a third of an acre of fenced space for pooches to play off the leash. You will find the pup playground in the southern section of Hidden Canyon Community Park.
For easy pickup of poop, the park features Dogi-Pot stations with free poop bags and receptacles. You can also find lots of seating and shade under the gorgeous eucalyptus trees. There is only one large area for all dogs no matter what size or breed so if you have a small pup that has big-dog anxiety or vice versa, you may want to choose a different park to visit. They also have water fountains so you can both stay hydrated.
Country Kennels Dog Water Park
If you have never seen a dog water park before, join the club because we have not either! But Country Kennels Dawg Water Park is just five miles southeast of Temecula in Murrieta, and it really is what it says: a dog water park. They are also a boarding and grooming company with private dog sessions and classes. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, they have open swim for the public from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for just $20, or you can enjoy a private 50-minute swim party on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Some of the cool features they have include a saltwater pool with sparkling clear water, a platform for dock diving, and a shallow water sun shelf. They also have a bunch of interactive water spouts that pooches love trying to bite, as well as tunnels and hills for running and playing. Your canine companion does have to have proof of all vaccinations and be completely flea-free.
Deleo Regional Dog Park
Deleo Regional Dog Park can be found in Corona, just 28 miles northwest of Temecula in Deleo Regional Park. The large park has separate fenced areas for big and small pooches, with plenty of room for running around or playing a game of fetch. Both sides also have agility equipment too. The small section has elevated tunnels, a paws table, hoops to jump through, and a ramp to run up and down.
The larger area also has a paws table, elevated tunnels, and ramps but it also has a jump-over, weave poles with seats, and an A-frame for climbing up, down, and under. There are also water fountains with dog bowls, benches under a shaded pavilion, and poop bag dispensers for all. Put your pup’s leash back on, and you can go watch the skaters at the skate park or let the little humans play on the playground equipment for a while.
E. L. Pete Peterson Dog Park
Located at the northern end of E. L. Pete Peterson Park in Menifee, just 17 miles north of downtown Temecula, is the E. L. Pete Peterson Dog Park. The fully fenced acre of pup play space is mostly dirt and gravel with some small patches of grass, depending on the time of year. But it gets muddy when it rains, for sure. Luckily, it does not rain very often in southern California. The park also has two sections for small and large dogs, both with interactive features.
The large pooch area has a big dog jump-over, a fire hydrant to pee on, a long tunnel to run through, and a smaller dog jump. The other side has the same equipment but on a smaller scale. Both have benches and picnic tables with some shade, and there is a drinking fountain just outside the gate. Be sure to bring your own doggie bags because they do not provide them here.
Fallbrook Dog Park
You only have to go about 10 miles to the southwest to reach Fallbrook Dog Park where your pooch can take off the leash and act like a dog. It is also known as Live Oak Dog Park because it is located in Live Oak Community Park. The park has just one large enclosure for all sizes and breeds, so everyone plays together, from the tiny Terriers to the huge Hounds. It is covered in bark mulch and shaded well with lots of benches for pup parents, too.
You will need to bring your own doggie bags and water. The park has poop bag dispensers, but they are almost always empty. Why not bring extras and share? They do have water fountains with buckets and bowls for dogs, but bring some for yourself. You will have to pay a $3 parking fee, but otherwise, it is free, and the pups and pup parents are friendly.
Heroes Dog Park
Located in the Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District 11 miles northeast of Temecula, Heroes Dog Park is a great big open area with six different sections for separate sizes, breeds, and activity levels. Each section is clean and well-cared-for, and they all have agility equipment. The largest dog area has a variety of pieces, including an A-frame, see-saw, and dog walk, as well as tunnels and weave poles. They also have several types of jumps, including a long jump, a tire jump, and hoops.
The small section also has tunnels, ramps, pause tables, jumps, and hoops. Others have similar pieces, and they all have water fountains for humans and pups, waste stations with doggie bags for easy cleanup, and plenty of benches, picnic tables, and chairs. Some of them are under pavilions to protect you from sun and rain. This dog park really has a little bit of something for everyone, from petite pups to large Labradors.
Hollandia Dog Park
Less than 25 miles from the city of Temecula, Hollandia Park can be found in San Marcos across from Mission Hills High School. It is in the northeastern corner of the park, right by the parking lot on Mission Hills Court. If you have a shy, timid, or small dog, you will find a special section just for them. The other section is for all sizes and breeds. However, both sides are just dirt, so it can get really muddy when it rains, just like E. L. Pete Peterson Dog Park.
After, put your cuddle buddy’s leash back on, and you can go out and enjoy some of the other amenities of Hollandia Dog Park. There are picnic areas with tables and BBQ pits, trails, horseshoe courts, and a playground for the little humans. Although the dog park provides doggie bags and water, you should bring extra of both for your visit to the park.
JC Pooch Park
JC Pooch Park has a lot to offer pet parents of all kinds. They offer pet grooming, boarding, and daycare as well as a five-acre fenced dog park for off-leash fun. It is less than 10 miles northeast of Temecula in Winchester. When you arrive, you will notice that this is a different kind of pooch playground. It is a massive working farm with all sorts of animals, big and small. But they also have a fenced space just for dogs to enjoy.
The place is owned and managed by a veterinary technician and professional animal trainer. It is a family business run by animal lovers who all have pets of their own, so they know what your canine companion wants to do. There are expansive grassy meadows and a cool agility park with ramps, a dog walk, jumps, hoops, A-frames, weave poles, pause tables, and tunnels. Your dog will never get bored here!
Lake Skinner Recreation Area
Although it does not have a specific off-leash dog park, Lake Skinner Recreation Area is dog-friendly for leashed dogs. It is just 13 miles northeast of downtown Temecula in the Auld Valley of the Tucalota Hills. The lake itself is the main attraction, of course. It has 1,400 acres for boating and fishing, but you are not allowed to swim in the lake. However, there are some huge catfish, trout, carp, and bass to be caught.
The splash pad is where to go to cool off, and it has all sorts of cool water jets to run around in. If you want to stay for a while, book one of their 257 campsites. Almost 200 of them have full hookups, and there is water access, showers, and a marina if you want to rent a boat. This is also the home of the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival in May.
Margarita Dog Park
Margarita Dog Park is just about three miles northeast of downtown Temecula on the other side of Interstate 15. It is in Margarita Community Park, also known as Mike Naggar Park, on Margarita Road. You can find this great pooch playground on the western edge of the middle of the park behind the recreation center. There is a section for dogs under 25 pounds that are not comfortable around larger pooches.
The park is equipped with a double-gated entry for safety, water fountains for dogs and their humans, concrete picnic tables, and quite a few chairs as well as some waste stations with poop bags. However, it is a good idea to bring your own water and bags just in case. If you want to check out the rest of the park, put Fido’s leash back on, and you can enjoy the trails, have a BBQ or picnic, play a game of horseshoes, or watch the kids play on the playground.
Mayflower Dog Park
Approximately a half-hour south of Temecula on the southeastern edge of Daley Ranch Nature Preserve in Escondido, Mayflower Dog Park lauds 1.5 acres of fenced off-leash fun for pups. The unique part of this park is that it has three sections instead of just one or two. There is an area for little or shy dogs under 25 pounds, a section for medium pups under 50 pounds, and another section for large dogs.
Each section has large areas of grass with some dirt, lots of room for running or playing ball, and benches for pet parents to sit and watch. There are waste stations with poop bags, water fountains, and the humane society is across the street in case you need something. There are lights for those who like to stay after dark, too. Some have complained about big dogs in the small dog section. Please do not do this, and if you see it happening, report it.
Montiel Dog Park
Pack up the pup and his belongings for a trip to Montiel Park in San Marcos, just 26 miles south of downtown Temecula. It is a large fenced pup play area where all sizes and breeds play in the same enclosure. If your dog is afraid of large pooches, this may not be the best choice for you. However, it is a great way to get your little one socialized in a safe environment. The terrain is all grass, so you do not have to worry about your cuddly buddy getting too dirty.
Whether you let your pooch play with the other fur pups, enjoy a game of fetch, or just run around with him and have fun, this park is great. There is a water spigot at the front gate and a poop bag dispenser for your convenience. However, if you have them, bring them. It is always nice to share them, too. For a nice hike around the park, put his leash back on, and you can go see what else they have to enjoy.
Redhawk Dog Park
Less than four miles southeast of Temecula city, Redhawk Community Park is a great big space divided into several smaller sections as well as one for small breeds and those that are shy or scared. They all have thick green grass all year long and lots of room to play a game of fetch or frisbee with your fur puppy. Or you can relax on one of the many benches in the park and watch your little fur ball chase the other dogs around until he is worn out.
Once he has gotten rid of the zoomies, put his leash back on and take a walk in the rest of the park. There are many different things to see, like the duck pond, wooded areas, and open meadows with gorgeous views of the countryside. There is a fun and modern playground for the little humans to enjoy with swings, slides, and climbing equipment too!
The Final Woof
Temecula is full of fun activities you can enjoy with your cuddly canine companion. After you visit all the parks, take a look at some of the other great opportunities. For example, you can bring your fur baby with you to Halter Ranch Temecula, where you can take a tour of the winery and enjoy a glass of wine. If you are more of a beer person, take your little cuddly buddy to Temecula Brewing Company, where he can join you on the patio while you try some of the local brews. Or why not charter a 37-foot yacht where you and your pup can get out on the water? Goodlife Charters loves fur babies as long as they are on a leash.
