La Tuna Canyon is a north Los Angeles neighborhood that is an hour commute to the downtown Los Angeles business district. There are shops and services along Laguna Canyon Road, however, they are not closely spaced and accessibility on foot depends on the proximity of your residential location. There are pet stores and veterinary services in the Sun Valley neighborhood to the west that are accessible a short drive away.
When walking your dog in the La Tuna Canyon neighborhood, residents of the area have to contend with extreme heat in summer months. Avoid walking in the middle of the day with your furry friend, instead, choose early morning hours or venture out later in the evening when the temperature abates somewhat. Winter months are relatively warm and you don't have to bundle up during winter months which are more moderate and pleasant for walks with your pooch.
Detached single-family homes on well landscaped and maintained properties are predominant in the area. Because of the semi-arid climate, drought-tolerant plants are common. There is more urban development on the west side toward Sun Valley and sparser development as you travel to the east where natural regions predominate the landscape. Most residential streets have separate sidewalks for pedestrians and pets, but some newly developed areas do not have separate pedestrian ways and necessitate sharing the road with local traffic.
The La Tuna Canyon Park contains 1100 acres of natural terrain with picnic areas at “The Grotto” where a waterfall and small pool are also located. This is a beautiful place to visit with your leashed dog. Many more miles of trails run through the mountains to the east and the terrain becomes steeper and more varied. Make sure you and your dog choose hiking trails that are suitable for your ability level.