McInnis County Park in San Rafael spreads across a really nice chunk of Marin County, with enough going on that you could spend a full day here without feeling like you’re retracing your steps. Beyond the skate park, softball fields, and soccer courts that draw the athletic crowd, there’s a solid network of nature trails where leashed dogs do well. The trails wind through decent landscape variety, so depending on your dog’s mood and energy level, you can pick something mellow or something more challenging.

The canoe launch adds a different element if you’re into that, and the tennis courts pull in their regular players. For a dog visit though, the real draw is the trail system and the picnic setup. The park has maintained picnic areas scattered around with actual shade—important when you’re out with a dog on a warm day—and restrooms that make a full outing manageable. You can stake yourself down under a tree with food you’ve brought, let your dog settle, and actually enjoy being outside without constantly thinking about where the next bathroom is.

The park hosts community events throughout the year that sometimes draw other dog owners, which can be good if you’re the type who likes meeting people on the trails. It’s worth checking what’s scheduled before you go, since some events might change the vibe or draw crowds that could affect your visit.

One thing to keep in mind: McInnis isn’t a fenced dog park where your dog can run off-leash. Dogs need to stay leashed on the trails, which is actually pretty standard for county parks in the Bay Area. If you’re looking for that specific off-leash option, you’d need to head elsewhere. But for a solid few hours of actual hiking with your dog where you’re not fighting crowds and you’ve got room to breathe, this works well.