San Francisco is a city, a county, and a state of mind — with more dogs than kids and an unmatched urban dog culture. Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers some of the best off-leash areas in the country, including Crissy Field, Fort Funston’s towering sand bluffs, and Ocean Beach’s wide-open stretches of Pacific shoreline.

San Francisco Recreation and Parks maintains dozens of dog play areas throughout the city, and Golden Gate Park provides acres of green space for on-leash walks past gardens, lakes, and meadows. The city’s neighborhoods each bring their own dog-friendly character — from the outdoor cafes of North Beach and the Marina to the boutique pet shops of Hayes Valley and Noe Valley. With pet-welcoming hotels, restaurants, and even dog-friendly ferry rides across the Bay, San Francisco is one of the most dog-loving cities in the world.