Enter dog-friendly Joaquin Miller Park and you will quickly forget that you are minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hikers, equestrians, bicyclists, joggers and picnickers from all over the Bay Area regularly frequent the 500-acre park. The rustic woodland trails lead you through redwood groves and oak woodlands and across lush creeksides and wet meadows. Don’t miss seeing the Woodminster cascade, which is cool even if the water isn’t running.

It is one of the few open space areas in the City of Oakland where dogs are allowed – on leash – throughout the park. A fenced off-leash dog areas for both large and small dogs is available on park property.