People come from all over to recreate at Liberty Station, partly because it is so pet-friendly.

Liberty Station is the perfect summertime travel destination for the whole family — including those with four legs. Liberty Station has numerous shops, restaurant patios, and vast outdoor spaces that are pet-friendly and Fido-approved.

“Liberty Station has been transformed from a former naval training center to a place where friends and family gather to play, shop, eat, and enjoy one another’s company,” said Laurie Albrecht, director of Liberty Station. “As a destination centered on community, we provide intentional space and experiences for guests to include their furry family members as well.”

Ask just about anyone walking their dog in the former Naval base, and you will likely get the same answer from them as to how pet-friendly it is.

“A lot of the stores allow pets,” said Tiffany Feliciano, who was down from National City with her dog Lola, on a sunny Saturday afternoon on Aug. 6. “I go regularly to the Sparkcycle spin studio and they are pet-friendly, as well as the coffee shop across from it, Moniker. That’s a perfect example.”

Do you come here a lot with Lola?

“Yes, at least five times a week,” answered Feliciano. “It’s worth it. There’s a place called Puppy Picnic Co. The owner is so sweet. Her dog is also Lola’s friend. We love Liberty Station.”

Dale and Dawn Frank from San Marcos made the trip to Liberty Station to see the art walk and brought along their pooch, Oreo.

“Most, if not all, of the restaurants accept dogs,” pointed out Dawn. “The ones we went to did. And they brought a little bowl of water for them.”

“And the stores don’t seem to mind,” added Dale.

Do you come here a lot? “This is really our first time with [Oreo],” said Dawn. “We walk him a lot, but not here,” said Dale.

Your impression of Liberty Station as a pet destination?

“It is a really nice place for a dog,” said Dale. “If we lived closer, we’d be here more.”

“We came down for the art and that’s exactly what I said, ‘We can take Oreo.’ It’s really nice here,” noted Dawn.

“We’ve been coming here for years,” said Bill Jones who, along with his wife Angela, came from Chula Vista to Liberty Station to walk their two all-white Bichon Frise dogs. “We come here on weekends,” said Angela. “A lot of the shops are pet-friendly.”

Bet you don’t let your dogs play in the mud. “We both went through a puddle a few days ago my mistake,” said Bill.

You probably had to give them a bath right away.

“Me too,” quipped Bill.

The Martinez’s were down from Temecula wine country with their dog Roscoe. Mark Martinez was impressed with all the green surroundings. “There are a lot of dogs here, you can just see that everyone just comes and plays with their dogs,” he said adding, “It’s not just here. Everywhere is now becoming pet-friendly – hotels and restaurants all throughout San Diego, Riverside, Orange, and L.A. counties.”

Heather and Mike Long (who work at Peninsula Beacon) live nearby and walk their dog Penny often at Liberty Station.

“It’s great to walk on grass or dirt or by the water,” said Heather adding, “It’s a perfect place to launch a paddle board and go paddle boarding with your dog. There are lots of pet-friendly restaurants for food, and she (Penny) has lots of friends she gets to see each morning.”

“Getting outside with your dog is one of the best things you can do for your pup and yourself, one being getting out on the water in the channel way behind Liberty Station,” said Samantha Eastburn, CEO/founder of SUP Pups LLC. “The waterway is very calm and a no-wake zone making it very peaceful with barely any boat traffic and amazing scenery. If you have never paddle boarded with your dog before, SUP Pups offers a unique, one-of-a-kind lesson. It provides the owner and their dog the knowledge and guidelines to safely get out on the water together. You can also take photos and videos the whole time to capture their adventure.”

Added Eastburn, “Paddleboarding with your dog in Liberty Station is not only fun but mentally and physically beneficial for both the human and dog. Then, once they gain their confidence, you can keep coming back to the water by renting a paddle board or even a kayak. We have even started working with Puppy Picnic Co., where you can paddle board with your dog followed by a catered picnic with your dog viewing the water.”

PET-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES

The Presley: Dog and gluten-friendly.

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens: Big patio and dog friendly. Treats are available for your pup.

Slater’s 50/50: Dog friendly with a dog menu.

Puppy Picnic Co.: Retail pet boutique offers stylized pet picnics that include chic table spaces, cozy throws, bohemian décor, and a van-retrofitted photo booth.

The Lot Liberty Station: Dog-friendly restaurant with indoor/outdoor areas.

Fig Tree Cafe: Dog-friendly with food and service.

Luna Grill San Diego: Outside seating and dog-friendly.

Officine Buona Forchetta: Dog-friendly and outdoor dining.

Con Pane Rustic Bread & Cafe: Dog-friendly patio area and seating inside.

Ways to enjoy Liberty Station with a pup:

·Share a meal at one of the several pet-friendly indoor and outdoor restaurants.

·Treat yourself to a glamorous pet picnic with Puppy Picnic Co.

·Meander around the unique art exhibits and shops that line the nearly 100-year-old former Naval base while showing off your dog to the many passersby.

·Try your hand (and paw) at stand-up paddleboarding with West Coast Paddle Board Rentals and SUP Pups for a day on the water with equipment, life jackets, and leashes all provided.

·After a day of fun exploring the food, drinks, and activities at the historic hub, take your pup for a walk along the path that runs parallel to the San Diego Bay or play in one of the parks.