California's parks run the length of the state like one long, green thought — salt-washed headlands above the Pacific, fern-cool redwood canyons on the north coast, oak-shaded rivers in the foothills, granite cathedrals in the high Sierra, and wide desert silences down toward Anza-Borrego. Somewhere inside most of them, a dog is trotting ahead of her person, nose working the air, tail held up like a question mark.
That nose is why we come. A well-walked dog reads a trail the way we read a page: here a deer crossed at dawn, here a jackrabbit paused, here the creek is running a shade colder than yesterday. We get the view; she gets the whole conversation. Give her twenty minutes on a good path and she'll tell you things about the place you'd never have noticed on your own.
We built this list because California is almost impossibly generous to dogs who like to walk, and because it takes a minute to sort the welcoming corners from the ones posted with signs. Below are the parks, preserves, and public lands where your dog is genuinely wanted — fenced dog parks for a romp, easy interpretive loops for an afternoon sniff, longer climbs for the ones who still want to earn the view. Pick a corner of the map, pack the leash and water, and go listen to what the trail has to say.
Other parks
Shaw Park
Kenwood
Shaw Park, located in Kenwood, Napa County, California Wine Country, is a delightful 5-acre park offering a range of amenities for visitors to enjoy.
Read moreSherwins trailhead
Mammoth Lakes
Leash laws are in effect at the Borrow Pit, but there's plenty of opportunity for your dog to sniff out new friends and play!
Read moreSherwins Winter Trails
Mammoth Lakes
In the stunning Eastern Sierra region, the Sherwins Winter Trails in Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, offer a picturesque winter wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.
Read moreShollenberger Park
Petaluma
Shollenberger Park is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon. The park has a 2.2-mile path for walking, running, walking the dog or biking through Alman Marsh to Petaluma Marina.
Read moreShoreline Access Path
Mill Valley
There’s a lovely but little known walkway that runs along the eastern and southern shore of the Strawberry peninsula.
Read moreShurtleff Park
Napa
Shurtleff Park, located in Napa, Napa County, California Wine Country, is a delightful outdoor space perfect for dog owners seeking a peaceful retreat.
Read moreSierra Buttes Lookout Trail
Sierra City
Hang onto you hat—the views if not the wind will sweep you away on this dramatic day hike to a fire lookout with a railed stairway leading to the top.
Read moreSigmund Stern Grove
San Francisco
Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove (or Stern Grove) is a 33-acre recreational site in the Sunset District. It is administered by the city's Recreation and Parks Department.
Read moreSimon Preserve
Ramona
Simon Preserve, a sprawling 650-acre outdoor oasis located just outside Ramona in San Diego County, Southern California, offers a diverse range of activities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Read moreSinkyone Wilderness State Park
Westport
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is located on the southern portion of the Lost Coast and features a rugged coastline with the Lost Coast Trail. The park offers an arresting landscape with canyons, tide pools, waterfalls, and dark sand beaches where visitors can view Roosevelt elk,
Read moreSir Francis Drake Bikeway
Nicasio
Sir Francis Drake Bikeway, also known as the Cross Marin Trail, is a picturesque rail-trail in Nicasio, Marin County, within the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read moreSky Ranch
Martinez
Overlooking Suisun Bay and with glorious views of Mt. Diablo, this extraordinary property located in the hills southwest of Martinez was acquired by John Muir Land Trust in 1998, saving it from impending development.
Read moreSky’s Dog Park
Sacramento
Sky's Dog Park is a dog park in Sacramento County in California’s Central Valley.
Read moreSmall Dog Area
West Hollywood
Small Dog Area is a dog park in San Diego County in California’s Southern California.
Read moreSnow Mountain Wilderness
Stonyford
The best time to visit Snow Mountain Wilderness is from late spring to late summer. Snow usually lingers on the high crest-zone until late June. Bathhouse, Deafy Glade and Bear Wallow Trails can offer exhilarating, snow-free winter hikes.
Read moreSnow Park
Oakland
Snow Park is dog-friendly and is across the street from Lakeside Park with sweeping views of Lake Merritt.
Read moreSoMa West Dog Park
San Francisco
Operated by: San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission
Read moreSonoma Bike Path
Sonoma
If you are attracted to the rolling, wine country landscapes and historical architecture of Sonoma Valley, the Sonoma Bike Path won't disappoint.
Read moreSonoma Coast State Park
Bodega Bay
Seventeen miles of Sonoma County coast with a chain of beaches — dog access varies beach by beach, so check signs at each lot before hitting the sand.
Read more