Dog parks in San Francisco
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5 min read
Overview
If you’re interested in getting outdoors with your dog in California, one of the first activities most people are going to recommend is looking into a dog park. Dog parks are a great option for people who want a place for their dogs to run around and play, especially if they want an off-leash location where their dog may be able to socialize with other dogs. In San Francisco, there are plenty of dog parks available. Here are a few of the best.
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Amenities
As one of the crown jewels of the San Francisco park system, Lafayette Park is itself a gorgeous, enjoyable park that anyone can visit. However, for dog owners, there’s an extra bonus in the Lafayette Park Dog Play Area — a hilltop park with beautiful views of the city and San Francisco Bay. While this area is great for off-leash dogs, it’s not gated, so it’s best for dogs who are already good at recall.
2. Upper Douglass Dog Park
Amenities
Since it was converted to a park in the 1930s, Upper Douglass Park has been a common place for locals to bring their dogs and enjoy the outdoors. There are plenty of shady areas as well as chairs and benches to allow humans to relax while their dogs socialize. There are even some hurdles to let your dog play around with, as well as to help with training if you’re trying to get your dog to learn to do tricks.
3. Corona Heights Dog Play Area
Amenities
The Corona Heights Dog Play Area is connected to the Corona Heights Park, an area that is very widely used for several different activities. From hiking along the trails to looking down at the incredible views and allowing your dog some time to socialize, this dog play area is beloved by locals. Additionally, the dog play area is quite large, giving your furry friend plenty of space to enjoy themselves.
4. St. Mary's Dog Play Area
Amenities
With a beautifully manicured lawn, plenty of space, and a shady area with picnic tables for humans, St. Mary’s Dog Play Area is a well-known and well-used play area in San Francisco. You’ll also find double entry and exit gates, ensuring that dogs don’t get out while you’re entering or exiting the park. The area is quite large and offers a water fountain for dogs and humans to stay hydrated while playing.
5. Moscone Dog Park
Amenities
This dog park may be fairly small, but it still gets plenty of use from local residents. It offers two picnic tables and one bench, so you can sit by yourself and enjoy the area while your dog runs around. It’s also right next to the tennis courts, which means that you can almost always borrow a few tennis balls and play with your dog a bit.
Enjoy your time with your dog outdoors
If you’re thinking about spending time outdoors with your dog, finding a dog park is only the first step. It’s also important that you know how to manage your dog’s behavior and ensure that they’re healthy before you visit a park. If you have any questions about either of these components, book an online virtual care appointment with Vetster to get expert information.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Not all dog parks separate their areas by dog weight. Some parks are just a single large area for all dogs to play in. Whether you have a large dog or a small dog, it’s always important to keep an eye on your dog in a dog park, especially in a park with just one area for all dogs. This way, you can keep your dog safe from any other dogs’ aggression or break up a fight if your dog becomes aggressive.
- Most parks that allow dogs will have some sort of signage on them, letting people know that the park is dog-friendly. These signs may also let you know whether you can let your dog off-leash or not. You can also use the San Francisco Recreation & Parks website to get more information about what is and isn’t allowed in a specific park.
- Most dog parks will be more than happy to help you get involved with managing a local dog park that you visit frequently. They’re almost always looking for more volunteers. You should be able to get in touch with the current management group by calling whatever number is listed on the website. Additionally, everyone can help with dog park management by simply cleaning after their dog and cleaning up any other trash present at the park.
