Laurelwood Park and Sugarloaf Mountain, spanning 225 acres, stands as the City of San Mateo’s most extensive park and open space. Located in San Mateo County within the San Francisco Bay Area, this sprawling natural area offers a variety of dog-friendly amenities and activities for both locals and visitors to enjoy. With its vast green spaces and scenic trails, Laurelwood Park provides the perfect setting for leisurely strolls or invigorating hikes with your dog by your side. The park entrance is accessible from Glendora Drive, where you will find a small parking area and the trailheads that lead into the hills.
The trail network at Laurelwood Park is one of its biggest draws. Popular routes include the Salson Trail, Slip Trail, Headbangers Ball, Comb Over, and Amphitheater Trail, which can be linked together for a roughly 3.3-mile loop that takes you all the way to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. The climb rewards hikers and their dogs with surprisingly beautiful panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the surrounding hillsides. Some trails are steep and not always well marked, so wearing sturdy shoes and keeping an eye on trail junctions is a good idea. Dogs should be kept on leash on the trails, and mountain lion warning signs are posted along some sections, so staying alert is important, especially during early morning or dusk outings.
Dog owners will appreciate the wide, natural terrain that gives dogs plenty to sniff and explore along the way. The lower sections of the park feature grassy meadows and shaded areas under mature trees, making for a pleasant warm-up before heading uphill. Picnic areas and open spaces near the park entrance offer a place to rest and refuel after your hike. The park’s size and variety of terrain mean you can enjoy a different experience each time you visit.
For more information on park hours, regulations, and trail conditions, visit the City of San Mateo’s official website at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org. Laurelwood Park and Sugarloaf Mountain delivers a rewarding dog-friendly escape in the San Francisco Bay Area, from peaceful nature walks on the lower trails to challenging summit hikes with panoramic bay views.
