Dog-friendly Lakeside Park centers around Lake Merritt, a 155-acre urban lake that’s genuinely one of the best walking spots in Oakland if you have a dog. The three-and-a-half-mile paved loop around the water is popular for good reason—it’s relatively flat, tree-lined in sections, and gives you plenty to look at without feeling cramped. The park draws hundreds of visitors on any given day, so expect company, especially on weekends and weekday mornings.

The Edoff Memorial Bandstand, built in 1923, sits along the water and marks a natural spot to take a break during your walk. Beyond the bandstand, you can follow the paved trails that loop the entire lake, which work equally well for jogging or biking if you’re looking for something more active than a stroll. The five bird islands visible from the shore have been a wildlife refuge since the 1800s—the oldest of its kind in Northern America—so there’s legitimate bird-watching to be done here if you’re the type to pay attention to that kind of thing.

The park’s location means you’re surrounded by Oakland neighborhoods, with street access from multiple directions. It feels like a genuine escape from the surrounding city despite being right in the middle of it. Bring water for yourself and your dog, especially on warm days, since the walk can take a solid hour depending on your pace and how many stops you make.

Dogs must stay on leash throughout the park, and as with any shared space, clean up after your dog. The combination of open water views, predictable terrain, and the steady flow of other people and dogs makes this a reliable choice when you just need to get out and move around without planning a major trip.