This lush, 26-acre park overlooking the Pacific is a wonderful place for walkers, bikers and people watchers, and connects with the broad Santa Monica beach made famous in TV’s “Baywatch” episodes. The park was given to the city in 1892 for use as a park “forever” by Santa Monica’s founders, Col. Robert Baker and his partner, Senator John P. Jones. Set on a cliff and running from Colorado Avenue to just north of San Vicente Boulevard, it’s a slender ribbon of green that feels surprisingly removed from the bustle below.

The views from up here are genuinely spectacular. The bay stretches out before you from the Palos Verdes Peninsula all the way to Malibu, and on clear days you can see why people fought to preserve this stretch. The park itself has plenty of lawn and palms for resting, with paved paths that work well for jogging or casual walking. There’s enough room to let your dog move at different paces without feeling crowded, even when the park picks up with tourists and locals.

What makes it particularly good for dogs is the combination of shade from mature trees, multiple paths at different elevations, and plenty of sightseeing variety. Your dog gets exercise while you get one of the best coastal views in Los Angeles. The ocean breezes up here cool things down considerably compared to the beach level, which is a real advantage on warmer days.

There’s a Visitors Center located in the park if you need information about the surrounding Santa Monica area or want to plan a longer visit to nearby attractions. The parking situation is manageable, though it can fill up during peak summer weekends, so arriving earlier in the day gives you better options.