There’s so much to love about living in the Bay Area, and the numerous activities to do with a pet is a big reason why.
Case in point: hiking. There are no shortage of great hikes in the Bay Area, for you or your dog, whether you like beaches, greenery, or desert mountains.
Prepare to enjoy spectacular views and an eminently dog-positive atmosphere. Click on the map below for more information about each location, and read on to see the best of what the Bay Area has to offer in dog-friendly hiking.
7 Dog-Friendly Hikes in the Bay Area
- Sweeney Ridge Trail
- Presidio
- Lands End Trail
- Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline Park
- Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
- Ed R. Levin County Park
- Fremont Older Open Space Preserve
1. Sweeney Ridge Trail
- 7.7 mile moderate out-and-back paved trail
- epic views of the Pacific Ocean and San Andreas Reservoir
- 3 different approaches to the Ridge (Sneath Lane is the most forgiving)
- be sure to bring a leash, your own baggies, and plenty of water
- may be strenuous for some hikers, but great for a work-out
- limited parking on the weekends
2. Presidio
- several beautiful trails offer historic, iconic, and ecologically diverse sights
- take a pic of your pet for the ages in front of the Golden Gate Bridge
- restaurants, activities, events, and guided tours nearby
- dogs must be leashed
- some trails may be off-limits during coyote pupping season
3. Lands End Trail
- 3.5-mile moderate loop, suitable for all levels
- breathtaking views of the Pacific and (on clear days) the Golden Gate Bridge
- visit the remnants of Sutro Baths and walk the Labyrinth
- heavily trafficked, available year-round
- free and ample parking
- dogs must be leashed
4. Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline Park
- an assortment of trails, paved and unpaved, for all levels of hikers
- features wide-ranging and dedicated off-leash areas for dogs
- street parking may be limited on weekends
- unpaved trails can get muddy after some rain, so come prepared
5. Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
- 366-acre site near the City of San Carlos
- 6 miles of trails to canyons and ridge-top views of the San Francisco Bay
- enjoy springtime wildflowers and a wide range of native plants
- dogs must be leashed except within the unfenced 17.5-acre off-leash area at the center of the preserve
- be sure to bring your own baggies and a plan for disposing of them—there are very few trash cans
6. Ed R. Levin County Park
- a 1,541-acre park for hiking, picnicking, hang and paragliding, fishing, and horseback riding
- features an expansive off-leash dog park
- complex trail system allows for longer and more strenuous hiking
- dogs allowed on-leash in all picnic areas, parking lots, and trails north of Calaveras Road
7. Fremont Older Open Space Preserve
- features 14.7 miles of hiking trails, and plenty of routes for all levels
- 8 moderate trails ranging from 0.9 to 5.7 miles and from 351 to 1,181 feet above sea level
- hike Masie’s Peak or Hunter’s Point for gorgeous views of the Santa Clara Valley
- be sure to bring baggies and water, since there are no trash bins
- watch for horses on the trail
After you’ve enjoyed the Bay Area’s less beaten paths, don’t forget to check your pet for ticks. And as always, if your dog needs some quality outside time and you can’t be there, Rover is here to help.
