Best Dog Friendly Hikes Bay Area – The Bay Area is one of the best places to hike, but not all hikers are dog-friendly. Keep reading for my 3 favorite outdoor trips with dogs.
When I first moved back to the Bay Area, finding dog outings was a serious struggle! My single friends would tell me to go to Point Reyes (you can’t) or Meyerwoods (you can’t)… or countless others. We did a lot of digging, hiked a bunch of deep trails, and finally went hiking with our dogs!
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Sail Point Park seriously has it all. You can run for miles with your cat, let them play at the dog park, or go to the Coyote Point Recreation Area where there are more trees and you feel like you’re walking.
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Because of the options you have, this is my favorite trip! I come here often with both dogs and they absolutely love it here. Here are a few more reasons why this is always a favorite for dog-friendly outings:
Pulgas Ridge is my go to when I want a real hike with trees and mud.. but I only have an hour. This is usually in addition to my work breaks during the summer before sunset or my Saturday mornings before an early brunch. The parking lot is small which means it’s usually not too crowded on the trails, and the dogs here love to smell all the different smells. Sometimes in this environment when you have trees and bushes, you will get ticks. But I’ve never had a problem here and I’ve had it all year.
Here are a few more reasons why this is one of the best dog hikes in the Bay Area:
There are so many in Pacifica that could make this list, but if I really had to choose, I’d probably go with Sweeney Ridge. It’s an easy, no-fuss, out-and-back hike with an almost instant view that once you reach the top of the ridge.
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As a bonus, one of my favorite dog beaches is Fort Funston! You’ll want to park here and then walk down to the beach – look how rough it is!
In my experience, the dogs here are very well behaved and the owners take care of them. So it’s not exactly a Bay Area dog hike, but definitely a dog friendly beach hike 🙂
We explored the Mount Tom area and in particular the Kent Trail sock loop. Unfortunately, the boys were completely in tights when we got home, which caused a bit of a headache. The trip was nice, but not worth the effort for us, so I left it off the list.
I keep it very simple when I go hiking with my dogs. Generally, all they need is a bowl of water (and of course water) and maybe some wax. I’ve tried backpacks and dog boots before, but I don’t really use them. Here are my favorites: Today I want to give you my guide to the best dog-friendly hikes in the Bay Area. If you love your furry friends as much as you enjoy the beautiful scenery and stunning views of Northern California, this list will show you some of the best places to hike near San Francisco. From Marin County to the Peninsula, waterfalls to Pacific Ocean trails, it’s got you covered. I have also included a map.
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Given how much San Francisco Bay Area residents love their canine companions, there are plenty of dog-friendly hikes near the city. Whether you want to go to Marin County, the East Bay, the Peninsula, or elsewhere, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to dog walking in the Bay Area.
And he doesn’t say anything about the country. Love a waterfall? There is a way for you and your cat. Like a view of the Pacific Ocean? The Bay Area has you covered. Do you want a forest, rolling hills or mountains? Check it out. Check it out. Check it out.
I’ve been hiking with dogs in the Bay Area all my life. Growing up in Silicon Valley, I walked many dog-friendly trails in the Bay Area with my family as a child. From Wind Hill in Portola Valley to Arastradro Preserve in Palo Alto, we loved being outdoors with our Giant Standard Poodles.
As an adult, I went through this list pretty quickly with my boyfriend’s mini goldendoodle. From the North Bay to the Peninsula, we’ve traveled a lot. This list contains my favorites. Pop enjoyed them as much as I did, and we can both recommend them from personal experience (although I’m a bit more vocal about them than he is!).
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I’ll be adding more to this blog post as I write about them, so you can bookmark or pin it to Pinterest for easy reference. With how much we’re enjoying the trails, I know I’ll have another one out soon.
As with all trips to Northern California, be sure to bring water for you and your dog, towels or blankets for the car in case Fido gets wet or wet, a leash (sounds obvious, but I’ve seen it), and bags. Clean up after leaving the trail.
Don’t forget to check on both you and your furry friend at the end. They are common on trails in the San Francisco Bay Area and can cause Lyme disease in both humans and dogs.
First on my list of best dog hikes in the Bay Area is the Cataract Falls Trail in the North Bay. Four-legged friends are allowed here, and it’s a popular place to hit the hills after a big storm.
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Located on the Fairfax-Bolinas road near Stinson Beach, it is a mountain in the Tamalpais basin. A protected mountain area, it is known for its streams, reservoirs and sequoia.
Cataract Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Marin County and the Bay Area. It has a narrow wooded trail that skirts a series of small waterfalls that flow down Cataract Creek.
A moderately demanding trail, includes climbing over uneven stone steps and narrow footbridges, and a decent height gain. If you go after a heavy rain (when fall is best), that means muddy leaves (and maybe some mud) for your cat.
The Cataract Falls hike can be done as an out and back or a loop. It follows about 3 miles of the Cataract Trail (1.5 miles each way). This includes an elevation gain of approximately 1,055 feet.
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The loop route is approximately 7.5 miles on various trails. It reaches a height of about 1985 feet. You can see a map of both routes on my blog post for more details on hiking to Cataract Falls.
The maximum time depends on your fitness and how fast you and your dog want to run. The 3 mile maximum takes 2-3 hours and the 7.5 mile loop takes approximately 3.5-5 hours. If you are in great shape, you can speed it up. If your dog is slow moving, it may take longer.
You can do this hike at any time of the year, but since the waterfalls are the main attraction, it is better to do it after heavy rains. In the case of Marin County, that usually means the winter months. If you manage to time your trip with a break in stormy weather, you’ll be able to see the falls at their best.
Next on my list of the best dog hikes in the Bay Area is Mount Montara. Encompassing McNee Ranch State Park and San Pedro Valley County Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this peak is an ideal place to get outdoors and get into nature in San Mateo County, California.
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The mountain is 1,898 feet above sea level. There are hiking trails in the area that lead to other destinations around North Peak and Montana State Beach. It’s a great day trip from San Francisco.
Mount Mantara is located on the Pacific Ocean in the South Pacific Ocean. It covers 690 hectares and is open from 8 am to sunset. There are many places to visit here, all of which are dog-friendly. They range in distance and difficulty, so there’s an option for every fitness level.
If you want to go for a leisurely walk, the 1 mile Green Whale Cove Trail is a great choice. It will take you from Gray Whale Cove State Beach to Montana State Beach and Highway 1.
After a bit of a hill at the beginning, the trail is relatively flat and has a beautiful view of the beaches. The trail is right on the beach, so you can enjoy the sea view all the way.
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If you and your dog want something a little more challenging, you can start on the Gray Whale Cove Trail and continue along the North Peak Access Road or Alt.
