Located behind the cities of Millbrae and San Bruno, Junipero Serra Park in San Mateo County offers visitors a stunning panorama of the Bay Area. With views of San Bruno Mountain, San Francisco Airport, San Francisco Bay, and Mount Diablo, this 108-acre county park is a worthwhile destination for nature enthusiasts and dog owners. Dogs are welcome in the park on-leash, allowing them to explore the scenic beauty alongside you.

Junipero Serra Park provides a calm setting with several well-maintained trails winding through lush greenery. The Quail Loop Trail is an excellent starting point at just a mile and a half long — it offers sweeping views without being too strenuous. For a more immersive nature experience, the Live Oak Nature Trail parallels El Zanjon Creek, a year-round waterway lined with lush riparian vegetation and labeled native plants that make for an educational walk. Dogs tend to enjoy the sights and smells along the creek, and the shaded canopy keeps things cool even on warmer days. The City Park Trail connects hikers to the adjacent San Bruno City Park, extending your adventure if you and your dog are up for a longer outing.

Beyond the trails, Junipero Serra Park offers well-maintained picnic areas where you can spread out a blanket and enjoy a meal with your dog after a good hike. The park sits on a long ridge that was once quarried, and the landscape has since been beautifully restored with native trees and grasses. The combination of coastal hills, native vegetation, and those panoramic views makes for a genuinely peaceful outing without feeling crowded or overly developed.

The park does charge a six-dollar parking fee, and dogs aren’t allowed in the playground areas. Plan for a couple of hours if you want to explore more than one trail — the Quail Loop alone is manageable, but combining it with sections of the Live Oak or City Park trails gives you a more substantial day out. Bring water for your dog, especially on warmer afternoons when the ridge can feel exposed.