Los Angeles has more dog-friendly hiking trails than any city in California, and most of them are good. Looking beyond LA? See the best dog-friendly trails in California. The problem isn’t finding a trail — it’s finding one that matches what you actually want. Some mornings you want the scene. Other mornings you want to be alone with your dog and a canyon. Here’s the honest breakdown.
Runyon Canyon: The One Everyone Knows
Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, there’s a reason for that. Runyon Canyon sits in the middle of Hollywood and offers off-leash access on most of its trails, which is rare for a city park this central. The main loop runs about 3.3 miles with moderate elevation gain — enough to feel like a workout without requiring hiking boots.
Dogs can be off-leash on the fire roads and most of the interior trails. The Fuller Avenue entrance has the most parking (street spots fill by 9 a.m. on weekends). The Mulholland Drive entrance at the top is less crowded and gives you the downhill-first option.
Practical tip: Go before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to dodge the midday crowds and heat. There’s no shade on the upper ridgeline, and the exposed dirt gets hot fast in summer.
Eaton Canyon: The Pasadena Waterfall Hike
Eaton Canyon Natural Area in Pasadena has a 3.5-mile round trip trail to a 40-foot waterfall. It’s flat for the first mile, then moderately rocky as you enter the canyon. Dogs must be on leash the entire time, and the trail can be slippery near the falls during wet season. If waterfall hikes are your thing, see our California dog-friendly waterfall hikes guide for more destinations statewide.
The nature center parking lot fills early on weekends — arrive by 8 a.m. or park on Altadena Drive and walk in. The trailhead is at 1750 North Altadena Drive. Free admission, no permits required.
Practical tip: Skip this one for a week or two after heavy rain. The creek crossings multiply and the last quarter mile becomes a wade, not a walk.
Solstice Canyon: Malibu Without the Beach Crowds
Solstice Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains offers a 2.6-mile round trip hike through a shaded canyon to the ruins of the Roberts Ranch House. The trail is paved for the first half, making it one of the more accessible canyon hikes in the area. Dogs must be leashed.
The parking lot is small — maybe 30 cars — and sits just off Corral Canyon Road. On weekends, the overflow spills onto the road shoulder. The trailhead is well-marked and there are restrooms at the lot.
Practical tip: This is one of the coolest trails in Malibu on hot days. The canyon walls and tree cover drop the temperature noticeably compared to exposed ridge trails.
Temescal Gateway Park: The Santa Monica Canyon Classic
Temescal is a 4.1-mile loop that climbs from Pacific Palisades into the Santa Monica Mountains. The ascent is steady and the ridge views reach from downtown to the ocean on clear days. Dogs are allowed on leash throughout the park.
Parking is in the lot at 15601 Sunset Boulevard. There’s a fee — currently $12 per vehicle — but the lot is paved, has restrooms and provides reliable access. Street parking nearby is limited and heavily ticketed.
Practical tip: The Temescal Ridge fire road is wide and shaded in spots, making it a better bet for bigger dogs than the narrow Temescal Canyon trail, which gets congested on weekends.
Griffith Park: Pick Your Own Adventure
Griffith Park is 4,310 acres with more than 50 miles of trails. That’s too much for a single recommendation, so here are the two best options for dogs. Beacon Hill, accessed from the Vermont Avenue entrance, is a 1.5-mile round trip with views of the Hollywood Sign and moderate elevation. It’s wide, well-maintained, and popular without being Runyon-level packed.
For something quieter, try the Fern Dell trail starting from the Western Canyon entrance on Fern Dell Drive. It follows a shaded creek bed for about a mile before connecting to longer routes. Dogs on leash for both.
Practical tip: The Greek Theatre side of the park has the worst parking situation on event nights. Check the schedule before heading to the Vermont entrance on weekday evenings.
Franklin Canyon: Feels Like You Left the City
Franklin Canyon Park sits between Beverly Hills and Studio City but feels miles from either. The Hastain Trail is a 2.3-mile loop with moderate elevation and views of the reservoir and city skyline. The Discovery Trail around the lake is flat and easy — good for older dogs or quick outings.
Dogs must be leashed. Parking is free at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center lot, and it rarely fills up. The access road off Franklin Canyon Drive is narrow and winding, which seems to discourage casual visitors.
Practical tip: This is the park where they filmed the opening credits of The Andy Griffith Show (the lake scene). It’s also genuinely one of the least crowded parks in LA, which may be related.
Topanga State Park: The Big One
Topanga is the largest wildland park within the boundaries of a major city. The most popular loop is the Los Liones Trail to Parker Mesa Overlook — 5.8 miles round trip with 1,200 feet of elevation gain and panoramic ocean views at the top. It’s a real hike.
Dogs must be leashed and are only allowed on fire roads, not single-track trails. The Los Liones trailhead is at the end of Los Liones Drive off Pacific Coast Highway. Street parking is free but limited to a handful of spots.
Practical tip: Bring more water than you think you need. There’s no shade on the upper half and no water sources on the trail. One liter per person minimum, plus a collapsible bowl for your dog.
Quick-Pick Guide
Best off-leash: Runyon Canyon. Best waterfall: Eaton Canyon. Best shade: Solstice Canyon. Best views: Temescal Gateway or Parker Mesa Overlook. Least crowded: Franklin Canyon. Best for a real workout: Topanga State Park. Most options in one park: Griffith Park.
All of these trails are free to access (except Temescal’s parking fee), and all are within a 40-minute drive of downtown LA. For more on the Santa Monica area specifically, we have a dedicated guide. Bring a leash even for off-leash areas — you’ll need it in the parking lot. And check seasonal fire closures before heading to any Santa Monica Mountains trail between July and November.
