If you own a dog, then you know that this loyal pet is basically like another member of the family. They need love, care, food, medicine at times and especially exercise. In fact, unless you had a very large yard around your home before moving to San Francisco, walking your dog at least once if not twice a day has become as much a part of your daily routine as changing a baby diaper, buying groceries or taking out the trash. So when it comes to buying a home, especially in a competitive, densely populated city like San Francisco, the needs of your dog are almost as important as the needs of your family or your own personal needs. With that in mind, here are the top 5 dog parks in San Francisco to target when looking to buy a home in some of the many amazing neighborhoods spread out in the City by the Bay.
1. GOLDEN GATE PARK
The second largest park in San Francisco, stretching from the West Coast of the city all the way to the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood is obviously one of the best places to take your dog, as there are numerous places all over the park allow you and your pooch to stretch out and really run off leash. There are also a number of different terrain to explore—though some of these can harbor things you don’t want your dog going near, like garbage and coyotes. Most areas of Golden Gate park require your dog to be on a leash but are excellent, scenic walks for both dog and owner. Four different spots in the massive park allow your dog to run wild and free, chasing the numerous daring squirrels that venture into those parts. There are numerous high priced areas surrounding the massive stretch of Golden Gate Park that will allow you and your dog easy access.
2. LAFAYETTE PARK
This chic wonderfully hidden park in the middle of Pacific Heights is an ideal place for the urban dog to roam on a daily basis and also beautiful and peaceful for the owner. With the unique microclimate that settles over the Pacific Park neighborhood, Lafayette Park is incredibly lush and cool throughout the year, no matter what the season, making an almost dreamlike dog park at times, especially when the mist is heavy off the Bay. Of course, you’ll have to live in or near the neighborhood of Pacific Heights, which is one of the priciest and most exclusive in all of San Francisco.
3. MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK
Located at the end of The Presidio, the largest park in San Francisco and one that is quite wild, Mountain Lake Park offers 14 acres of freedom for owners and dogs alike to run in wood chip areas and hike along the numerous trails that have been created. There’s also an eponymous named duck filled lake that is ideal for your dog to take a dip into on one of those warmer San Francisco days. There is also a big grassy hill with a concrete slide that dogs go nuts over in this park. Keep an eye on your dog though when they are off leash, however, as the golf course in the Presidio borders Mountain Lake and dogs are known to sometimes go after golf balls and golfers!
4. OCEAN BEACH
Stretching almost the entire western coast of the city of San Francisco along the Pacific is Ocean Beach, adjacent to the Richmond District and Sunset District. As anyone who has been to the beach with their dog knows, there are few things a pooch loves more than to race along the wet sand, jump and play in the ocean, chase birds and sniff all the amazing scents that have washed up along the sand. However, Ocean Beach is not a off-leash dog free for all, as there are some important rules everyone visiting the beach with their dog must follow. All dogs must be on leash between the Mid-Beach Chalet (basically between Sloat and Stairwell 21) except during the dates of May 15th and July 1st. However, if you go north of Stairwell 21, it’s a dog free for all, with all pooches running wild in the sand and surf, a sight to behold on particularly busy weekends.
5. PINE LAKE PARK
Located in the Southeastern part of the Sunset District just north of Lakeshore is Pine Lake Park, which is a gem of a dog park that is perfect for the canines and their owners alike. The entrance is somewhat hidden off Crestlake Drive and the off-leash area is huge, also with benches to accommodate dog owners to sit and chat while their dogs play and get their energy out. If you need a walk as much as your dog, put them back on leash and walk the perimeter of Pine Lake, which is one of the nicest urban lakes in all of the San Francisco city limits.
2 Point Highlight
“This chic wonderfully hidden park in the middle of Pacific Heights is an ideal place for the urban dog to roam on a daily basis and also beautiful and peaceful for the owner.”
“As anyone who has been to the beach with their dog knows, there are few things a pooch loves more than to race along the wet sand, jump and play in the ocean, chase birds and sniff all the amazing scents that have washed up along the sand.”
