Dog Friendly

Dec 21st 2011
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In dog we trust

To call San Francisco "dog friendly" is about as controversial as calling it foggy, hilly, caffeinated or technological, etc - it's not unanimous (see: dog politics), but it's de facto :)

Dogs are basically everywhere, and especially Dolores Park, Crissy Field, Golden Gate Park (especially on no-traffic Sundays), Ocean Beach and Fort Funston.

Dogs can ride on Muni with simply a leash (BARTing requires a crate).  They must pay and are not officially permitted during rush hour, unless they are service animals.


Tagged for Dog Friendly...

alamo-squareAlamo Square
Relaxation, now with stunning views...

Alamo Square's elevated and central location makes for a pleasant park - great for picnicking or just relaxing after a long day.  Unless the day happens to be the 3rd Sunday of May when Alamo Square's top-of-Hayes-hill becomes a madhouse of spectators, participants and those doing a bit of both in Bay to Breakers :) (see more)

alta-plaza-parkAlta Plaza Park
Playground with a view

Sitting on the highest peak of Pacific Heights, Alta Plaza Park (literally "high place") provides some views to the north (the bay) and amazing ones to south... and there is not a playground in SF with a better view. (see more)

baker-beachBaker Beach
Most scenic beach in SF

Burning Man's original resting place (and now Balsa Man), Baker Beach delightfully boggles urban expectations! (see more)

berkeleyBerkeley
Berzerkeley

Voted a "nuclear free zone" in 1986, the rest of us can breathe a little easier while in Berkeley! (see more)

bernal-hillBernal Hill
Elevate!

With a 360° views and a warmer-than-average reputation, Bernal puts the urban lowlands in their place :) (see more)

buena-vista-parkBuena Vista Park
"Good views" :)

One of SF's larger neighborhood parks, BVP mixes a large tree canopy and numerous trails with 360° views.  Connecting the Haight and Castro neighborhoods - the park vibes seedier than nearby Corona Heights or further away Kite Hill, although typically less so than the Panhandle and the east side of Golden Gate. (see more)

castroCastro
Rainbows guaranteed

The gay center► of San Francisco (and arguably the US) with a historical role that's been widely recognized by the 2008 film Milk chronicling Harvey Milk and the gay rights movement, the Castro also offers food, drinks and shopping *and* some of the hottest and best-dressed men anywhere!  The neighborhood is reliably festive, and never more-so than Pride weekend :) (see more)

corona-heights-parkCorona Heights Park
Iron in them thar hills!

Sometimes forgotten but rarely regretted (!) Corona Heights Park offers hiking (short but exciting!), great views, picnicking, basketball, tennis, a playground and a museum on and around dramatic red rock formations. (see more)

crissy-fieldCrissy Field
The bay, up close and personal :)

After serving as a landing site of early explorers, hosting the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and serving as a airfield for the army, Crissy field now offers visitors a great escape urban San Francisco and enjoy the bay's natural beauty. Approximately a 4 mile (round trip) walk from the Palace of Fine Arts to the Golden Gate Bridge. (see more)

dolores-parkDolores Park
Sunny center of outdoor activitiy

Covering two city blocks on the Castro side of the Mission district, Dolores Park has more visitors per square foot than any park in the city. Tennis and basketball courts, pickup soccer, a children's playground (currently under re-construction), dogs aplenty, and expansive skyline views combine for a magically relaxing afternoon. It is delightful (and relatively safe) after dark as well.  Bike polo is on (at least temporary) hiatus pending a political battle with the tennis players. (see more)

fort-funstonFort Funston
Fort fun

The unofficial recreation wing of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (run by the National Park Service), Fort Funston provides a world renowned hang gliding► hot spot, the city's largest and best off-leash area for dogs and a network of beautiful trails and beaches. (see more)

golden-gate-bridgeGolden Gate Bridge
Icon of the Golden Gate

The Golden Gate Bridge is not to be missed! It's best up close and personal. The bridge is a bit less than 2 miles across - an excellent hike or bike ride.  Be sure to wear warm clothes, as it is often windy and/or cold►. (see more)

golden-gate-parkGolden Gate Park
Soul of SF

Home to two major museums - the Cal Academy of Science (which publishes a free app/guide specifically to the park) and de Young museums - a Japanese tea garden, a flower conservatory, a herd of bison, numerous lakes, a polo stadium, an early 1900's carousel, windmills, a Sunday roller disco, massive festivals and countless characters visiting on a daily basis - Golden Gate Park surprises with regularity! (see more)

googleplexGoogleplex
Feeling lucky?

No searching for free gourmet food, massaging toilets, vintage arcade games, and countless other worldly delights on this kindergarten (college►??) colored campus! (see more)

grand-view-parkGrand View Park
Sunset Treasure

This appropriately named jewel of the Inner Sunset packs a visual punch on days (and evenings) when it's clear out. Sutro Tower, East Bay, Downtown, the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin, Ocean Beach, and others fill a stunning 360 degree view. (see more)

haight-ashburyHaight-Ashbury
A visual adventure for your inner child

A historical icon of 1960's sex drugs and rock-n-roll, the Haight remains vibrant through a concoction of great clothes, assorted and lively street-folk, and some of the hottest hippie girls human eyes have seen. (see more)

huntington-parkHuntington Park
Centerpiece of Nob Hill

Surrounded by Nob Hill heavyweights (Grace Cathedral, Mark Hopkins, Flood Mansion, et al), Huntington Park vibes light with a children's playground, many dogs, great views, a well-kept garden, fountain ("Fountain of the Tortoises"), etc. (see more)

kite-hill-parkKite Hill Park
Neighborhood chill spot

A twenty minute walk up from 18th and Castro, Kite Hill Park offers lower altitude and less crowded version of the Twin Peaks view down Market St. (see more)

lake-mercedLake Merced
San Francisco's fresh-water stepchild

In a city surrounded by ocean, the largest fresh-water body of water in San Francisco is sometimes forgotten. Lake Merced provides unique fishing (permits req'd), picnicking, bicycling, walking and running opportunities. (see more)

lands-endLands End
Best hike in San Francisco - easy!

Beautiful hikes up to 5 miles can be started at the Sutro Baths parking lot (also accessible from the Muni 38 Geary line) and continued until it's time to turn around. The Legion of Honor and golf course sit at the end of the trail. For those willing to walk through Seacliff, Baker Beach and the Presidio are relatively accessible and offer similarly beautiful outdoor recreation. (see more)

marin-headlandsMarin Headlands
A little gift from God

The Marin headlands offer a unforgettable (and convenient!) experience with the rugged California coast. On a clear day, San Francisco is on full display and the temperature is reliably higher on the north side of the bay. Many stunning Golden Gate Bridge photos are shot from the headlands. (see more)

marina-districtMarina District
Easy delight

Good restaurants, nice boutiques/salons/etc, young outgoing folks and lively nightlife.. a straight Castro! Marina entrepreneur and former Mayor Gavin Newsom connects these dots. (see more)

muniMuni
Never a dull moment

Combining with BART for a poor man's subway system, the Muni (officially "Muni Metro") light rail works well for some routes. The vehicles run below ground along the Market St corridor and otherwise operate on the roads. (see more)

muni-busesMuni Buses
Unglamorously functional

The primary mode of public transportation for most areas of San Francisco - BART and the Muni Metro are faster and more frequent, but sparse in coverage. (see more)

ocean-beachOcean Beach
The big chill...

As San Francisco's largest and most relaxed beach, Ocean Beach is a delightful break from urbanity. Even on the warmest days, there is plenty of room to throw down a towel (or t-shirt) and soak up some California rays and play in the surf►. It's advisable to bring wind protection and a warm layer, just in case :) (see more)

outdoorsOutdoors

Combining an exciting seismically-carved geographic and a relatively mild ocean-moderated climate San Francisco, and the surrounding areas offer some phenomenal ways to enjoy the outdoors - walking and bicycling are great roof-free ways to get around town :) (see more)

palace-of-fine-artsPalace of Fine Arts
A little bit of Rome in SF

Originally built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition, the Palace of Fine Arts today houses the Exploratorium and a theater. (see more)

panhandlePanhandle
Not just for panhandlers...

A halfway house between urban San Francisco and the Golden Gate Park, this long (3/4 mile) narrow (1 block) strip of park divides the Haight and the Western Addition ("NOPA" if you're a real estate agent). (see more)

peoples-parkPeople's Park
Not enough people in your life?

An urban artifact of the 1960's counter-culture movement, People's Park is used daily by the homeless (no camping) and basketballers. (see more)

presidioPresidio
Military preservation

With stunning views over an area 40 percent larger than Golden Gate Park, the Presidio is sometimes overlooked for outdoor adventures. An army base from 1776 (by the Spaniards, the same year as the Mission Dolores) to 1994, and now operated by the National Park Service, the area is not especially developed for recreation, but provides it nonetheless. (see more)

rodeo-beachRodeo Beach
Popular for good reason

A delightful finish to the Marin Headlands loop, Rodeo Beach is a popular and accessible beach just a short drive from the Golden Gate Bridge (the fast and furious can hike there from the bridge). (see more)

sausalitoSausalito
Take a break from the clouds

Sunny to San Francisco's cloudy Sausalito sits just across the Golden Gate Bridge, and offers a host of eateries and art galleries - in addition to ferry service, kayak rental and great bicycling in the surrounding areas.  The Cavallo Point bar & restaurant offer top-notch edibles, at a price :) (see more)

stanford-universityStanford University
Summer camp for achievers

An ever growing collection of illustrious students and faculty, a short list of mega-successful companies, great weather (little/no fog!), and a beautiful sprawling campus ("the farm") combine for an inspiring educational setting. (see more)

starr-king-open-spaceStarr King Open Space
Putting the hill in Potrero

Expansive city and bay views delight human visitors while the four-legged critters sniff out a vibrant social life - Starr King Open Space enjoys substantial popularity among both humans and dogs and regularly provides great sunset watching. (see more)

stinson-beachStinson Beach
Beautiful Marin

This sandy peninsula of Marin merriment combines nicely with trips to nearby Bolinas, Muir Woods and Mt Tamalpais - with Point Reyes only a bit further. (see more)

stow-lakeStow Lake

The largest of Golden Gate Park's man-made lakes, Stow is a hub of activity including hiking, bicycling and, formerly, boating.  The boathouse rentals (boat and bike) are currently closed, and catalyst of an ongoing battle. (see more)

sutro-bathsSutro Baths
Victorian communal bathing

The largest indoor swimming complex at its opening in 1896, the baths burned down in 1966 generating accusations of insurance-related arson at the time, and much reminiscing► since then. (see more)

tennessee-valleyTennessee Valley
Tennessee + a beautiful beach

Insulated by a 2 mile hike from the end of Tennessee Valley Road, the beach is a more secluded version of Rodeo Beach in the eye-popping Marin tradition. (see more)

treasure-islandTreasure Island
The elusive treasure island...

An island with eyepopping views, 5 wineries (the grapes are imported) and only 2 places to eat can't be all bad? :) (see more)

twin-peaksTwin Peaks
Not just an old TV show...

When the weather is clear, Twin Peaks pops eyeballs - especially around dusk (or sunrise►?). When it's cold, wet, windy, and/or foggy, TP is more of a survival adventure challenge :) (see more)

university-of-san-franciscoUniversity of San Francisco
Schoolgirls for Jesus

Elevated and prominently visible, San Francisco's first university makes a clean break from the Western Addition. (see more)