The 7 Best Off-Leash Dog Parks in San Francisco

General San Francisco Rules for Off-Leash Areas

San Francisco Parks and Recreation Lists 31 parks where dogs can “run around, get some exercise, and make new friends.” The department says dogs must be on a leash except in designated areas, and the dog’s guardian must always be present, with a leash handy for each dog. Aggressive dogs should always be tied

Off-leash areas are usually designated by a sign, but in practice those boundaries are often loosely defined. You’re likely to find off-leash dogs outside the official off-leash zone, a lax local attitude toward official rules that was criticized for Reddit users in 2016. These situations tend to be handled well, but if your dog is likely to run up to a person or a leashed dog without responding when called, it’s best to keep him on a leash in such ambiguous spaces.

fort funston

This space is truly a 5-star experience for dogs and their people, especially on clear days. Head straight for the beach or hit the rugged terrain of ice plants and sandy paths on the headlands above, tossing your dog’s favorite ball or hitting it to his delight. Race your dog up the large sand dunes, some of the few left in the city, if you want to exercise too. Bring plenty of water so you don’t have to cut your time short (trust me, you’ll want to spend hours in there). It will easily become a favourite place to let your dog roam and enjoy the beauty of the area.

Find them: fort funstonFort Funston Road, San Francisco, CA 94132

Duboce Park

He off-leash dog play area in Duboce Park is a popular green space and although it is a bit smaller, dogs and their humans love this spot. The field adjacent to the tree-lined intersection of Duboce Avenue and Steiner Street welcomes off-leash dogs, offering a great option for socialization and discreet play. But be aware: Due to its small size and lack of barrier to nearby busy streets, it may not be ideal for large dogs with zoomies or those who may run away.

Duboce Park is also home to dog festival, an annual fundraiser for a nearby elementary school that features a dog show, costume contest, and activities for the whole family. (You can catch my dog ​​as a competitor in the “best coat” category at this year’s DogFest.)

Find them: Duboce ParkDuboce Avenue and Steiner Street, San Francisco, CA 94117

lake of the pines park

If you’re building confidence in your dog’s recall abilities, Pine Lake Park is a great place to practice training your dog to come when called. The unfenced grass field plunges into a eucalyptus forest, creating a barrier to the fairways above.

The expansive field can accommodate socializing and independent play; it’s a dream for dog owners who work remotely and want a change of scenery. The abundance of benches and shade makes it easy to imagine settling into a day’s work in this quiet park, with intermittent breaks to fetch. This park gets bonus points for its homage to pups that have passed. The portraits in the aft grove bulletin board are a reminder to absorb every moment with your dog.

Find them: Pine Lake Park Dog Play Area100 Vale Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132

Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area

If you want the safety of a fenced-in dog park without compromising on space, this place towards the west end of golden gate park It is a fantastic option that your dog will love. Two fenced sections feature artificial grass, a sand play area dotted with large stumps for pups to climb on, and water stations. In theory, these sections are divided by size: small dogs here, big dogs there, but in reality it’s pretty mixed and that tends to work well.

As Yelpers have commented, this park attracts dog walkers who bring their clients’ dogs in packs. This can be a great opportunity for social gaming, but for some it may be too much. If that’s the case, take a walk around. Spreckels Lake to escape the crowd.

Find them: Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area6335 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94121

crissy field

Running and playing off-leash with your dog across sprawling Crissy Field with the Golden Gate Bridge in view is a unique San Francisco experience. Bring your dog’s favorite toy to toss and run around in the field along the shoreline, or head to Crissy Field East Beach for some time in the ocean. Both locations have beautiful sunset views of the bridge on clear nights. Cue Katy Perry because when my dog ​​and I are outside at sunset, we feel like real California girls.

Crissy Field is close to other great dog-friendly trails and beaches, including in Presidio, baker beachocean beach and lands end. Check out all the dog friendly places here. These include leash and off-leash areas. However, please note that even those who are not on a leash require dogs to be under voice control at all times.

Find them: crissy field1199 E. Playa, San Francisco, CA 94129

strong mason

A short walk from Crissy Field, strong mason It is home to Patrick’s Park, a quiet little field surrounded by old residential units with a unique story. This is a chill out spot located just outside of Fort Mason that is great for training puppies or walking a small dog. The area around Fort Mason itself is an ambiguous off-leash area – watch other dog owners, be cautious and ask if you want to follow the rules strictly. It’s generally widely accepted that people also let their well-behaved dogs roam off-leash on the grassy hill in Fort Mason.

Find them: Park near the Fort Mason Center2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94123

francis park

This small enclosed park is a great place if you want to socialize; it is usually full of playful dogs and their friendly owners. francis park It sits between two San Francisco landmarks: Ghirardelli Square and the Curvy section of Lombard — making it a great pit stop between tourist activities. He russian hill The park also has a children’s play and activity area and a sports field, making it a popular place with families.

Find them: francis parkBay and Larkin streets, San Francisco, CA 94109

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].