San Ysidro is a community of south San Diego that is a 20-minute commute from the city’s downtown core. The community has a library, schools, and churches within walking distance. There is an outlet mall on the south side of San Ysidro with large chain stores and eateries that can be reached on foot but is not designed for pedestrian access.
Dog walkers can reach San Ysidro Feed & Supply Inc. in the neighborhood which is highly rated and sells dog food and supplies. If you want to share an ice cream with your pup, stop by Ghirardelli Chocolate Outlet & Ice Cream Shop which has six dog-friendly tables that allow you to share with your pet.
San Diego has beautiful warm weather for walking with your dog. Winters are cooler, but still have temperatures well above freezing. May and June can be more overcast with fog on the coast. Due to San Ysidro’s inland location,however, fog is rarer and clouds lift earlier in the day.
San Ysidro is bordered by the Tijuana Open Space Preserve and river on the west. Otay Mesa West is on the north side, the Mexican border is on the south, and the Pacific Gateway Park is on the east.
This is a mixed-use neighborhood with commercial development and residential dwellings. Homes in the area consist of attached and detached single-family homes, apartment buildings, and complexes. Property is landscaped, but due to the dry conditions in this area, lush greenery and large shade trees are uncommon. The terrain is somewhat hilly, although grades are gentle and there are no steep slopes. Streets are lined with sidewalks, so you and your pet don't have to share the road with traffic.
The San Ysidro border crossing just north of Tijuana is considered to be the busiest in the world and brings heavy traffic through the community on two interstates that transect the neighborhood. Natural areas on the east side of the neighborhood provide rugged terrain on the borders of San Ysidro.
There are some small community parks in San Ysidro and large natural areas just outside the community. Howard Lane Park is located in the area and has a paved walking path around its perimeter, open grassy lawns and trees, and recreational and sports facilities. The Vista Terrace Park features a playground, open sports fields, and some trees with paths. The Coral Gate Park and Larsen Field provide more small community greenways in San Ysidro.
The Pacific Gateway Park is located on the east border. This vast natural area has rugged natural terrain, elevation changes, and miles of crisscrossing and interconnected hiking trails. Your dog should remain leashed when exploring the trails in this wilderness area.
Visit the 1,800 acres of Tijuana County Open Space Preserve to the west of San Ysidro with over 22 miles of multi-use trails. This greenway has wooded areas along the river and sage scrub on top of mesas with spectacular views.