Covering just over 98 acres, O’Hair Park is the largest park owned and operated by the City of Novato, located where Novato Boulevard and Sutro Avenue meet in the northwest corner of the city. This is where suburban neighborhoods give way to the rural landscape of West Marin, and it’s a genuinely pleasant place to spend an afternoon with your dog.

The park’s main draw is its open space. Wide fields stretch across the property, and there are established walking trails that wind through different sections. Your dog will have room to move around without feeling crowded, which makes a real difference on weekends when the park sees decent foot traffic. The trails aren’t strenuous—they’re the kind where you can walk at a conversational pace and actually notice what’s around you rather than huffing uphill the whole time.

The landscape here has that transitional quality that makes Marin interesting. You’re far enough from central Novato that you get a sense of the open countryside, but it’s still accessible and well-maintained. Picnic areas are scattered throughout if you want to stop and eat lunch while your dog rests in the shade. There are restroom facilities, which always matters when you’re spending several hours somewhere.

Spring is particularly nice when the grass is still green and before summer heat makes midday visits uncomfortable. If you’re staying in Novato or passing through on Highway 101, this park works well for a dog exercise stop without needing to hunt for parking or navigate trails crowded with other recreationalists. The open fields mean your dog can get a legitimate run if they’re the type that needs it, and the walking paths give you options depending on how much time you have available.