Dog owners will find large chain pet stores in the community where they can stock up on supplies. Dog-friendly eateries in the area include Fish District, Grub Burger Bar, Champagne French Bakery Cafe, Athen’s Market Cafe, Cafe Luna, and Luna Grill where your dog can join you for a meal in the patio seating areas. Warm weather for outdoor eating or hiking with your furry friend is plentiful in San Diego which enjoys warm, sunny weather most of the year.
A large natural greenway with steep hills and rough terrain is situated to the south while a golf course and country club provides more manicured green space within the community. The district is comprised of a commercial shopping area and residential subdivisions which are geographically separated.
The terrain in the neighborhood is very hilly and the situation of homes in the area is dictated by the landscape. Streets curve and follow the hilly terrain, and dog walkers navigating the neighborhood have some steep inclines to trek up and down. Many of the residential subdivisions are gated which makes them private with only local traffic.
Two community parks provide walkable local greenways in Carmel Mountain. The Highland Ranch Park has a playground and sports field and is centrally located, while the Carmel Mountain Ranch Community Park has sports fields and facilities located on the southwest side of the region.
For long hikes and beautiful views, take your dog across the freeway to the Black Mountain Open Space Park. You can drive or walk along area overpasses with sidewalks. This vast wilderness area occupies 2,352 acres and has chaparral and sage covered hills, cliffs, ridges, canyons, and the 1,554-foot high Black Mountain which provides 360-degree views of the surrounding area. It is a 2.5-mile hike along a trail to the summit.
There is also a mountain and greenway south of the Carmel Mountain neighborhood, just north of Sabre Springs. This natural area has trails, including the Van Dam Peak trail which is 2.7 miles in length.