We now need to collect signatures, on paper, this time. Any previous online collection is not allowed to take an initiative to the ballot. Oceanside Dog Beach organization was forced to rethink our options and strategy to get dogs on the beach. Since the previous Sand Replenishment blocking point is now in process with a $2.6M, multi-year project for a Design Competition to solve our retention issues that have been relevant for many years.

In addition, we have pivoted for now in order to get something going in the short-term. We have done research and determined that 7 out of 10 San Diego city and county beaches ALLOW dogs on the beach before 9am and after 4PM with a leash.

Council Members Joyce and Keim have expressed that they will help get us a seat at a coming city planning workshop, this never happened, ghosted. We asked so many time to collaborate with the city, and we have been ignored.

Nothing really, no sand means no love for a dog beach. Sounds impossible? Over the years, our city council keeps saying no dog beach when proposals come up.

They say wait until we have replenished the sand . What is happening with the sand? Go to Oceanside Sand Retention Pilot Program to find out more about the story of our sand and erosion that has been going on for many years.

Another thing, why is it that our Council, planners and Parks & Recs never considered a beach when researching/advocating for a dog facility? The city is in the first stages of design and outreach on only one dog park at Ron Ortega Park.

The initial proposed beach is Harbor Beach, jetty to Tower 18. From our perspective we believe this to be the right choice, it has parking, bathrooms, water, no residents, natural boundaries. It is a multi-use beach shared by all types people, activities and events.

But we were forced to re-think due to outreach and input. With this we plan for N. Strand On-leash to be compliant with most SD City/County beach ordinances, and S. Strand Off-leash so we can final make good use of our severely eroded beaches to give back to the community. See below for the areas that are part of the new ordinance.

Keep reading to see other options we are open to.

We have always been open for collaboration. Harbor Beach checks a lot of boxes, but we want a dog beach.

• On leash access

• Allow dogs on the “Wet” sand beaches when the tide is low, and reserve the “Dry” sand for people. There is no logical reason to wait on the city to replenish what has been lost.

• Carlsbad - This is what the OCEANSIDE City Council suggested

• There was even a reasonable proposal from a community member, and SOS board member, to build a beach at the border of Camp Pendleton (presented to Council on Nov 2) See, nothing is impossible!

Obviously, there are some bad people in the world, and some of those people do not clean up after their dogs (or themselves and their children). Opponents think we need to solve this issue first… This is like asking for “world peace”... and seems to be a punishment for the responsible humans.

“My Beach!” people think that since they grew up at Harbor Beach that it is their legacy and feel this will all change by allowing us to share the beach with our dogs during only a few hours per day. We learned to share in the first grade, but no one taught this at Harbor Beach.

Health and safety reasons which can be overcome, just see what all the other dog beaches are doing in influential cities like Del Mar, Coronado, Huntington Beach, Ocean Beach, Fiesta Island, San Clemente.

People love their dogs and consider them part of the family so they should be able to recreate with their best friends and enjoy the beach like everyone else.

We are a dog friendly city EXCEPT for our beaches. The city prefers to send us to Del Mar and other fully functional and successful dog beaches and spend our time and money elsewhere. See VisitOceanside.org.

Businesses agree that this is good for business. So many are dog friendly today with signs that say “DOGS Welcome with their FAMILIES!” Why do you think businesses advertise they are dog friendly?

Don’t allow 5 people we elected and work for us decide. Email city council and tell them it is time for a dog beach. Support our cause, volunteer, donate and spread awareness. SIGN our 2024 Ballot Initiative so the community can vote!