Dog-Friendly Hikes near East Bay Area

Featured hikes

Acalanes Ridge

Lafayette

While the 23-acre Acalanes Ridge is physically small compared to other John Muir Land Trust properties, it is of exponential importance to those who live in the community and enjoy its scenery, trails and sweeping views of the region.

Alameda Creek Regional Trail

Fremont

As part of the East Bay Regional Park District, dogs must be on leash in parking lots, developed areas and where posted, and under full voice control elsewhere, and there is a lot of elsewhere!

Big Break Regional Park

Oakley

Big Break Regional Shoreline, part of the so-called “Inland Coast” at the mouth of the massive San Francisco/San Joaquin river estuary, was once a massive farm, now submerged. It is now part of the East Bay Regional Park District.

Bishop Ranch Regional Preserve

San Ramon

As part of the East Bay Regional Park District, one of the most dog-friendly park districts in California, dogs at the Bishop Ranch Open Space Regional Preserve must be on a leash where posted and under full verbal control elsewhere, and there is a lot

Briones Regional Park

Pleasant Hill

Although Briones Regional Park is close to Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez, Lafayette and Walnut Creek, there are peaks within it from which you can see only park and watershed lands for miles in every direction.

Briones to Mount Diablo

Lafayette

The Briones to Mount Diablo Regional Trail connects Briones Regional Park and Mt. Diablo State Park, serving the communities of Lafayette and Walnut Creek.

Carquinez Strait Regional Park

Martinez

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline comprises 1,415 acres of bluffs and shoreline along Carquinez Scenic Drive between the town of Crockett and the hillsides overlooking Martinez and is part of the East Bay Regional Park District.

Contra Costa Canal Trail

Pleasant Hill

As part of the East Bay Regional Park District which is one of the most dog-friendly park districts in California, dogs must be on a leash where posted and under full verbal control elsewhere, and there is a lot of elsewhere!

Contra Loma Regional Park

Antioch

Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch, Contra Costa County, East Bay Area, is a sprawling 780-acre oasis offering a range of outdoor activities for visitors.

Coyote Hills Regional Park

Fremont

Coyote Hills Regional Park, dedicated in 1967 and covering 1,266 acres along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, offers some great trails to take your dog for a walk.

Del Valle Regional Park

Pleasant Hill

Please check Del Valle Regional Park website for cyanobacteria (toxic algae) warnings before your visit. Del Valle Regional Park, part of the East Bay Regional Park District, is a 5,000-acre park set amid oak-studded hills.

Diablo Foothills Regional Park

Pleasant Hill

Diablo Foothills Regional Park is the gateway to the parklands of Mount Diablo State Park and Walnut Creek Open Space.

East Bay Regional Park

Pleasant Hill

The East Bay Regional Park District, 90 years young this year, spans Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco with more than 125,000 acres in 73 parks and 1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, nature study—and, of course, dog walking/hiking.

Grizzly Island Wildlife Area

Suisun City

Grizzly Island Wildlife area consists of 8,600 acres in the 84,000-acre Suisun Marsh, largest contiguous estuarine marsh in the United States.

Gustin Ranch

Martinez

To the north of Dutra Ranch lies Gustin Ranch – 80 acres of thick woods and grass-covered hills, offering sweeping views of the Carquinez Strait, Mt. Diablo and the Sierra.

Iron Horse Regional Trail

Pleasant Hill

The dog-friendly Iron Horse Regional trail is a multi-use, whole-access trail between the cities of Concord and Pleasanton follows the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way established in 1891 and abandoned in 1978. The completed Iron Horse Regional Trail spans a distance of 32 miles.

Kennedy Grove Regional

El Sobrante

Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area, part of the East Bay Regional Park District, offers a comfortable setting for either small or large group picnics (some by reservation) or informal gatherings of friends and families.

Lafayette Reservoir

Pleasant Hill

The Lafayette Recreation Area is a year-round, day-use park ideal for hiking, jogging, fishing, boating and picnicking, located off Highway 24 only one mile from the Lafayette BART station. Dogs are allowed so long as they are on-leash at all times.

Lime Ridge Open Space

Pleasant Hill

Lime Ridge Open Space, with trailheads and parking in both Concord and Walnut Creek, is located on the eastern edge of Walnut Creek on a dominant ridge leading to Mount Diablo.

Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline

Richmond

The 307-acre Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline in Richmond, part of the East Bay Regional Park District, offers a beautifully landscaped shoreline picnic area, a fishing pier at a historic site and a hilltop with excellent panoramic views of the north Bay Area.

Mission Peak Regional Preserve

Fremont

Rising steeply behind Fremont, Mission Peak is part of the East Bay Regional Park District and one of the Bay Area's most dramatic summits.

Ohlone Wilderness Regional

Fremont

You have to hike or ride horseback to see the Ohlone Wilderness Regional Preserve magnificent 9,737-acre parkland, accessible only by way of the Ohlone Wilderness Trail.

Paso Nogal dog park

Pleasant Hill

Paso Nogal Park in Pleasant Hill is designated as open space featuring approximately 63 acres of scenic hiking trails (dogs on leash welcome), small picnic areas and two fenced dog exercise areas (2.5 acres): one for dogs under 25 pounds and the other for larger

Pena Adobe/Lagoon Valley Park

Vacaville

Pena Adobe/Lagoon Valley Park, spanning 470 acres, offers a diverse range of amenities for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.

Point Isabel Regional Park

Pleasant Hill

There are beautiful views of the Golden Gate and Marin County from the Point Isabel Regional shoreline, a landscaped, 23-acre dog park at the west end of Central Avenue in Richmond, part of the East Bay Regional Park District.

Point Pinole Regional

Pleasant Hill

The journey is as scenic as the destination at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, a 2,315-acre parkland right next to densely populated Pinole, Richmond, and San Pablo.

Quarry Lakes Regional

Fremont

Part of the dog-friendly East Bay Regional Park District, Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and dog owners alike.

Shadow Cliffs Regional

Pleasant Hill

Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, located in Pleasant Hill, Alameda County, in the East Bay Area, offers a delightful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions.

Sobrante Ridge Botanic

Richmond

The Sobrante Ridge Botanic Regional Preserve's 277-acre oak/bay parkland preserves the habitat of the extremely rare Alameda manzanita as well as other indigenous plant and animal species. It is part of the East Bay Regional Park District.

Sunol Regional Wilderness

Pleasant Hill

Bedrock mortars used by Native Americans for pounding acorns that were found in the area are reminders of Sunol's first inhabitants.

Ted and Kathy Radke

Martinez

At Ted and Kathy Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, managed by the dog-friendly East Bay Regional Park District, there is an array of recreational opportunities, making it an ideal destination for both active adventurers and those seeking tranquility.

Wildcat Canyon Regional Park

Richmond

Wildcat Canyon Regional Park encompasses 2,430 acres along the Wildcat Creek watershed and the surrounding hills and ridges. It is part of the dog-friendly East Bay Regional Park District.

Bayview Trail

San Pablo

With comfortably rocked paths, and friendly visits from the local wild life, the Bayview Trail will take you right along the Bay giving you clean air, and a cool breeze.

Black Diamond Mines Regional

Antioch

As part of the East Bay Regional Park District, one of the most dog-friendly park districts in California, dogs must be on a leash where posted and under full verbal control elsewhere.

Bodfish Preserve

Orinda

With its dream-like woodlands and footpaths that connect to nearby trails, the 7-acre Bodfish preserve is now known as a community treasure. But it...

Delta de Anza/Mokelumne loop

Antioch

Enjoy a moderate 5.62-mile loop by taking the Mokelumne Coast-to-Crest Trail to the Delta de Anza Trail. This paved loop passes through or near several...

Dutra Ranch

Martinez

The Franklin Hills represent an important wildlife corridor that allows animals to roam and thrive in natural habitat. By 2003, John Muir Land Trust held...

Fernandez Ranch

Martinez

Located just off Highway 4, between Hercules and Martinez, Fernandez Ranch offers stunning views, shaded hiking trails and a variety of wildlife,...

Franklin Canyon

Hercules

One of the most important projects ever undertaken by John Muir Land Trust, Franklin Canyon is a 483-acre property comprised of rolling hills, deep...

Hampton Trail

Martinez

In the scenic countryside of Martinez, the Hampton Trail offers a delightful escape for dog owners seeking a leisurely stroll amidst nature.

Kings Canyon Loop

Moraga

The Kings Canyon Loop, located in Moraga, Contra Costa County, in the East Bay Area, is a picturesque trail that begins at the Valley Vista Staging Area.

Morgan Territory Addition Fire road

Danville

Morgan Territory Addition Fire Rd at Mount Diablo State Park. 0.4 miles.

Mount Wanda Hiking trail

Martinez

Mount Wanda is part of the John Muir National Historic Site, but is not located on the main property. It is short drive to reach the parking lot for...

Mulholland Ridge Open Space

Moraga

Mulholland Ridge Open Space Preserve Mulholland Ridge is a 250 acre open space area along Donald Drive on the boundary of Orinda and Moraga.

Oursan Trail

Orinda

The Oursan Trail, located in Orinda, Contra Costa County, in the East Bay Area, offers a serene escape for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions....

Point Pinole Road

San Pablo

Does a view of the bay, access to play, picnic and fishing areas sound good to you? Then join the parade! Point Pinole Road is a popular route for walkers, dog lovers, parents with strollers and bicycle enthusiasts.

Rockville Hills Regional Park

Fairfield

Rockville Hills Regional Park in Fairfield, Solano County, within the San Francisco Bay Area, spans 633 acres of picturesque grasslands and oak woodlands, complemented by a dense mixed broadleaf forest.

Strentzel/Muir Home

Martinez

The Muir/Strentzel home is located at the main park site and is within walking distance from the visitor center.

Suisun Hill Trail

Suisun City

This loop trail, just under two miles long, climbs about 200 feet to the summit of the southern most of the Portrero Hills for a 360-degree view taking in Grizzly Island marshes, a thicket of wind turbines, rolling hills and other vistas.

Sycamore Valley Short Ridge

Danville

Located within the Sycamore Valley Open Space Preserve in Danville, the Sycamore Valley Short Ridge Trail is a popular destination for both nature enthusiasts and their dogs.

Ygnacio Valley Park

Concord

The 9.5-acre Ygnacio Valley Park is located at the northeast corner of Oak Grove Road and David Avenue in Concord.

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