Nearly 43.3 million households own at least one dog, and about 70 percent of owners consider their dogs to be part of the family. When it comes to settling down and finding a home that’s best for the family, the concerns of our four-legged furies are often among the most important.

San Diego has consistently made the top ten for most dog-friendly cities in America. According to SmartAsset, it ranked number four overall in both 2016 and 2017. The city ranks high due to its walkability, housing prices, many dog-friendly shopping centers, and over 200 restaurants with space for dogs. Though it lacks in dog parks, San Diego’s got plenty of dog-friendly beaches to make up for it. 

But what about the rest of San Diego County? How do the cities surrounding the city measure up? Here are five nearby cities worth considering for you and your pooch. 

El Cajon

Photo courtesy of Downtown Cafe

Surrounded by mountains and nestled in a valley, El Cajon is home to Wells Park, an off-leash dog park that stretches for 1.4 acres. The dog section of the park is fenced in, with shade trees, drinking water, benches, and lights for night walking. Bring Fido notes that the city has 18 pet-friendly restaurants, including Downtown Cafe and Luna Cafe. There are also plenty of places for your pets to play, like Camp Bow Wow and El Cajon Dog Wash and Grooming Salon. 

Encinitas

A dog-friendly coastal town, Encinitas has an amazing 42 pet-friendly restaurants, including Potato Shake Cafe and Beachside Bar & Grill. There are also so many dog-friendly activities and places to go, such as the San Elijo Lagoon Trail, Orpheus Dog Park, Village Park Trail, and Willow Creek Stables.

La Jolla

Photo courtesy of UTC Mall Bark Park

One of the best on the list, La Jolla has an astounding 80 pet-friendly restaurants, such as Cody’s and Spice & Rice Thai Kitchen. Bring your furry friend to UTC Mall where they have 120 pet-friendly stores, including a bark park indoors. La Jolla offers use of the Rose Canyon Bicycle Path and the Fay Avenue Bike Path as friendly spaces for doggy companions. 

Ocean Beach, San Diego

Photo courtesy of Ocean Beach Dog Beach

One of San Diego’s up and coming neighborhoods, Ocean Beach offers a very dog-friendly environment. Currently, it has nine pet-friendly restaurants per BringFido, as well as a dedicated dog beach. The northern part of Ocean Beach’s beach is San Diego's only 24-hour beach for dogs. The neighborhood also has four pet-friendly hotels for those stopping in for a visit.

Riverside

Photo courtesy of Carlson Dog Park

Riverside has three off-leash dog parks: Carlson Dog Park, Pat Merritt Dog Park, and Riverwalk Dog Park. It’s also a good place for doggie hikes in the Hidden Valley Nature Center and Wildlife Preserve, offering over 10 miles of trails along the Santa Ana River and surrounding hills. Though leashes are required, doggies also have access to the paved four-mile bike trail. Per BringFido, Riverside also has 34 pet-friendly restaurants, including First Class Pizza and Smokey Canyon BBQ.