San Francisco is a community of dog lovers. Stroll through nearly any neighborhood and you’ll see people out walking their pups or dining in parklets with four-legged family members. The fall season tends to be San Francisco’s sunniest, so it’s a great time to book a pet-friendly hotel room, wander the waterfront and hike the hills of this strikingly beautiful city.
In San Francisco, nature is never far away. Immerse yourself in some of the city’s best at the Inn at the Presidio or the Lodge at the Presidio, two pup-friendly gems set within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The properties are steps from the Main Post Lawn, where dogwalkers are treated to bay and bridge views, and from the buzzy new Presidio Tunnel Tops park. Follow the stairs down to Crissy Field for on-leash trails and off-leash room to run.
Head to Francisco Park, a few blocks from the northern waterfront, for another off-leash option. The fenced-in dog run that borders Bay Street is part of a new, 4.5-acre playground with jaw-dropping hilltop views of the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
The San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf and Motel 6 San Francisco-Fisherman’s Wharf are among nearby hotels that accommodate four-legged family members, and the Fairmont San Francisco on Nob Hill is a DogTrekker favorite.
On the western edge of town, near the end of Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach allows dogs on leash or under voice control. Currents are strong here, so take care near the waves.
For an even wilder stretch of coastline, head south to Fort Funston. Dogs can ditch the leash in designated areas. Still, do keep a leash handy for blufftop walks, and for spots where dogs might encounter horseback riders or delicate natural habitats.
