David and I lived in San Francisco for two and a half years, along with our dog, Spark. In order to keep Spark active and social, we tried to include her in as many of our daily and weekend outings as possible.
Below are some of our favorite dog-friendly San Francisco destinations. Not only are these great places to stop (with or without a dog in tow), but most of them are also free!
1. Fort Funston
This is my absolute favorite place in San Francisco. In my opinion, Fort Funston is entirely underrated when it comes to "must-see" places in the city. Granted, it's not downtown, but Fort Funston is located in San Francisco, near Lake Merced and Daly City.
Not only does the old World War II fort offer sweeping views of the city (both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge can be seen on a clear day) and the Pacific, but it is doggie paradise.
Before Spark joined our family, I used to walk around Fort Funston with major puppy fever. That's because the expansive hiking trails along the coastline and the beach down below are both jam packed with the wagging tails of euphoric dogs. On clear days the Fort is very crowded but still walkable.
Look for pelicans, hang gliders, and even seals swimming in the surf below. A wonderful place to take a walk with or without a canine pal, Fort Funston is a unique and utterly beautiful representation of what Northern California has to offer.
2. Golden Gate Park
20% larger than Central Park in Manhattan, Golden Gate Park is a San Francisco treasure. Located in a city with relatively few public (and dog-friendly) green areas, Golden Gate Park provides a peaceful wooded setting to take a stroll with your furry friend.
You can also run the track, check out the bison pen, and watch for wildlife in the park's numerous ponds. The drive to Golden Gate Park is also one of our favorites in the Bay area. The Great Highway (not a highway at all but a coastal two-lane road) offers stunning views over Ocean Beach and iconic colorful San Francisco homes.
3. Park Chalet Coastal Beer Garden
After your walk in Golden Gate Park, swing by the Park Chalet restaurant, located within the park's grounds. Tucked into a quiet corner of the park, a friend and I stumbled upon this restaurant right as we started looking for a place to eat.
In contrast to noisy sidewalk cafes with limited (and uncomfortable) space for dogs, the Park Chalet Coastal Beer Garden offers each picnic table its own private grassy area—perfect for a dog to relax in while their parents enjoy lunch or a glass of wine after a nice stroll through the park.
Service and lunch were both excellent the day we went and our waiter even brought out a bowl of water for Spark.
Tip: check the restaurant's hours before heading to the park. Hours change seasonally and the Chalet is closed altogether at least one day a week.
4. Twin Peaks
This is a very well-known San Francisco destination, but it's still worth mentioning because it's a great place to get a panoramic pic (see below) of the city, especially on a clear day.
In addition to offering sweeping views of SF, Twin Peaks is also free of charge. If you have a choice, avoid going to Twin Peaks on a windy or foggy day as this will decrease your chances of getting a nice view and/or photo!
5. 16th Avenue Tiled Steps
Our fourth SF destination is, in my opinion, an underrated—and sparkly!—gem. The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps began as a community project in 2003. That's when folks in the Golden Gate Heights neighborhood collaborated to beautify their area with the addition of a mosaic tiled staircase. The steps are located on Moraga Street between 15th and 16th Avenues.
The project was funded predominantly by neighbors who sponsored handmade tiles used in the creation of the massive mosaic staircase. Today the steps provide a fun and extremely colorful way to access another panoramic view of the city as the sight from the top is breathtaking on a clear day.
Other Options
These are just a few of our favorite things to do with dogs in San Francisco proper. Keep a look out for another post on dog-friendly excursions outside of the city—coming soon!
Are you a San Franciscan dog-lover? What are your favorite places to take your pooch? Leave us some suggestions in the comments below!
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