La Valencia is a newer residential neighborhood located on the southeastern outskirts of Yuma. This neighborhood is about a 20-minute drive to central Yuma, where services and shopping are available including veterinary services, pet stores, groomers, and kennels. La Valencia is surrounded by residential subdivisions and cultivated farmland, giving it a private rural feel, and is easily accessible by major roadways.
Weather conditions in Yuma are good; inclement weather, such as rain, is rare, however, hot, dry conditions require precautions. When taking your dog in your vehicle, remember that dogs can not be left unattended in hot cars without air conditioning, or they will quickly become overheated and can develop heat stroke, which can be fatal. Because of Yuma's extreme climate, do not plan on taking your dog on trips where you will need to leave your dog in a vehicle. When walking with your dog, plan for breaks, make sure you will be able to access shady areas, and take water for you and your thirsty dog.
La Valencia is a newer neighborhood surrounded by other, also new, subdivisions and developed and cultivated land. La Valencia has flat, even, terrain, which is not difficult for walking. The neighborhood features some very large single-family homes with extensive lots and properties. Residences are well set apart from each other and back from roadways with private driveways and expansive lawns. Swimming pools are frequent features. The area is enjoyable to walk around with lots of beautiful homes and yards to enjoy. Because this is a newer neighborhood, trees and vegetation may not be fully developed, and trees may not provide adequate shade to cool down pedestrians and dogs on walks in the area. Separate pedestrian walkways are not in place in this neighborhood, so you may need to walk on local roadways to get around the community of La Valencia. Watch out for local traffic, and keep your dog leashed to stay safe when walking on roadways.
The Yuma Bark Park is located in the eastern part of Yuma and is about a 15-minute drive away. This dog park features fenced, double gated, off-leash areas for your dog's safety, and allows energetic dogs a leash-free opportunity to exercise and play. There are also long walking trails along the main canal in Yuma that connect to the Colorado River and provide many miles of uninterrupted walking trails for residents and their dogs. Watch out for local wildlife that may be endangered or pose a threat to your dog. Although rattlesnakes are not as common in Yuma as in surrounding desert areas, they may be encountered in natural recreation areas. Keep your dog safe on a leash and consider teaching him to be snake wise!