SAN DIEGO — For the past several years, I’ve pretty squarely considered myself a cat person — at least on the spectrum of cat versus dog.
I grew up with both, but in 2021 I adopted a spicy old cat named Cosgrove. He quickly became my truest companion, and when I lost him last year to heart failure, it threw my whole world out of orbit. He was one in a million, but he unlocked for me a real love of cats in general — their aloofness, their warmth, their ability to sleep all day and then run around like a maniac at night.
There are some things dogs can offer that can’t be beat, though. This week, I took a walk around Fiesta Island’s dog park for this column with my parents’ pup, Milo. Watching him joyfully run along the trails overlooking Mission Bay and tussle with other dogs in the sand started my day on such a positive note. The fresh coastal breeze only added to the good mood.
Fiesta Island isn’t a proper hiking spot; it’s mostly a short walk that’s ideal for people who want to let their dogs run freely. But my 1.7-mile loop around the island makes for a nice summer jaunt — one that I imagine would delight even non-dog owners. Seeing an adorable dog bound into the bay for a splash feels like a universal way to boost dopamine levels.
To begin the walk, park in the lot on Fiesta Island Road, on the western side of the peninsula. It’s the main entrance for the dog park access, so it’s largely fenced to protect dogs from running into the road.
Once there, start walking briefly west, then veer southwest, to begin the loop around the perimeter of the dog park. There’s a trail that runs above the bay, but it’s nice to walk on the beach itself for the first 0.3 miles. When the beach ends, just hoof it up the short cliffside to meet the dirt trail that continues heading southwest.
Near the southwest corner of the peninsula, you’ll pass a protected habitat for the California least tern, which migrates to the area each spring to breed and raise its chicks. The section of the peninsula is blocked off to the public.
Continue walking along the dirt trail, which can be surrounded by bright flowers in the spring, though the vegetation was dry when I visited. After walking a little over half a mile, I dropped down the cliffside to meander on the beach once again.
I followed the shoreline around the peninsula until the 1.4-mile mark, where I headed up a dirt hillside. From there, I continued walking north through the open field to reach my car. Along the way, there are a few picnic benches and tables that would make for a great rest spot before heading home.