Stunning Bay Area Dog-Friendly Hikes You And Your Dog Will Love
When the weather is nice enough to go outside, the best thing I have felt I can do for myself is to get out there and see the beauty of The Bay Area from a trail with my dog, Jasper. I feel at ease when I change my perspective by climbing to the top of a hill that overlooks the city or the vastness of the ocean. When you see all the tiny boxes below you or can feel the sea breeze against your cheek, you are reminded that we live in a beautiful place and we’re lucky to be here.
Now that I have a dog, I’ve found there aren’t enough lists of places where I can take my pup, see views of our Bay Area that wow me, and still get that dose of calm I’m searching for. Here are my favorite Bay Area hikes that help me and my pup calm our nerves during hard times.
Dog-friendly hikes with stunning Bay Area views
Each hike/walk/location is linked below. Consider whether your dog is physically able to go on the hike and whether their social skills allow them to be with other dogs. Keep your dog on leash – most hikes require it.
Photo of King Estates Open Space from Oakland Geology website
King Estates Open Space in Oakland
This dog-friendly park is special. you don’t need to climb much before you’re looking out on rolling hills and a view spanning from Oakland to The City. You can also watch the planes land and take off at Oakland Airport. Bonus points for it not being too crowded there. We normally see a handful of pups when we are walking around this park. The paths are wide enough to take space if your pup needs it. Bonus: they have goats that will mow this park’s foxtails.
The Marina Green
If your dog isn’t very social, this might not be the best place for them. However, if you’re looking for a huge field for your pup to run in and a breathtaking view of The Golden Gate Bridge, this is your spot. My dog is almost too social. He likes to bark directly at other dogs he sees to get their attention. I haven’t been able to explain to him that this isn’t how you make friends.
Tiburon Ridge Trail
Our rolling hills of California are beautiful to me. When I want to meander up and down a ridge with my pup, I’ll go to Tiburon. It’s more of a spring season trail as there isn’t much shade as in other spots. Also, any trail in the hills will have some foxtails. That being said, the trails are clear enough to keep your pup outta the grass and the views span across the entire bay.
Mt. Davidson Park
My dog has short legs and gets overheated easily so this type of hike is perfect for him because he won’t get too tired or too hot very quickly. I used to head here with my good friends and their pups often back in the day. It’s a shorter climb than some maybe more obvious hills you can climb in SF, shaded, and has an amazing view of The City at the end.
Photo of pups at Muir Beach by Year of The Monkey
Muir Beach
If beaches are your pup’s thing, I recommend Muir Beach in Marin. You’ll need to get to the parking lot early to snag a spot. You can take a trail out to the beach with your pup but they will need to be on a leash. According to the Muir Beach site, you can let your pup can run and play while you enjoy the ocean as long as they are under proper voice control and within eye/earshot of you. However, many of my dog-parent friends would ask you to keep your dog on a leash whenever possible. Even tho your pup might have great recall and social skills, not all pups do and a surprise greeting can cause issues.
Berkeley Marina – César E. Chávez Park
If your pup is aging and can’t climb a hill, run a muck or play in the sand, this is the perfect flat paved walk that will give you those awe-inspiring views of The Bay you’re craving. With the extra wind this season, it’s probably perfect timing to bring a kite.
Owner and dog at the Berkeley Marina – photo from Bring Fido
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