5 Best Dog Parks in Los Angeles, CA

Rub shoulders with celebs, soak up the sun, and visit some of California’s best dog parks in Los Angeles. California is undoubtedly canine country, and "ruffly" over a third of households in Los Angeles County have a pet dog — that's more than 1.1 million homes! 

As a result, LA is home to "pawlenty" of pet-friendly places, from San Fernando Valley down to Long Beach. Make a splash at Rosie's Dog Beach, explore the trails at Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park, or treat your pup to a glass of dog wine at one of LA's dog-friendly bars.

Looking for the best spots to let your canine compadre roam free? We've compiled a list of 5 of the best dog parks in LA for your doggo's enjoyment.

Neighborhood: Hollywood

With 160 acres of countryside for you and Luna to explore, Runyon Canyon Park is ideal for running your woofer ragged. Considering the park's sprawling 90-acre off-leash area, it's easy to see why it's one of the most "pawpular" parks for pet parents in LA. 

The park is located at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. If you've got a hyper hound who needs to burn some energy or you'd like to get your own heart pumping, hit the park's 3.3-mile hillside looped trail. Along the path, you’ll find vista points, such as Cloud's Rest, that offer "pawsome" panoramas of LA as far as Santa Monica Bay. 

Uphill hikes can be challenging for pups and people alike, especially in the California sun, so be sure to bring plenty of water and note the location of water fountains en route. Energetic pet parents and their pooches won’t find a better park in LA to escape the city than Runyon Canyon Park.

Neighborhood: Laurel Canyon

Laurel Canyon Dog Park was LA's first official dog park, and it's still one of the best and most popular parks in the city. It’s a hit with hounds thanks to its 3-acre off-leash area surrounded by picturesque hills. It's a "grrreat" place for your fur-child to play frisbee and meet new furry friends. A small separate area is reserved for small or timid dogs. 

The park can get busy — ensure your pup is well socialized before your romp. Picnic tables and chairs are dotted across the park so you can rest between games of fetch. Plus, there's plenty of shade from trees and shelters. Waste receptacles and water fountains mean you can clean up after Fido and keep them cool on those dog days of summer.

If you're searching for a traditional dog park with tons of space in LA County, Laurel Canyon Dog Park is one of the finest in town!

Neighborhood: Playa Vista

Bluff Creek Dog Park is one of LA's newest and most innovative dog parks. It's one of the only parks in LA County to use artificial turf. Astroturf makes it easy to clean up after your canine, and you won't have to worry about paw splinters from wood chips. Bluff Creek Dog Park consists of turfed mounds and paved walkways with separate areas for small and large dogs. 

Between the two off-leash areas is a stylish shelter with benches where you can relax and chat with other pet parents. Water fountains are available to help your four-legged friend make the most of this impeccable park. You'll find few cleaner dog parks in LA County where Fido can let off some steam than Bluff Creek Dog Park.

Neighborhood: Pasadena

Alice Frost Kennedy Dog Park, or Alice's Dog Park for short, is the go-to dog park for puppers in Pasadena. Situated in Viña Vieja Park, Alice's Dog Park offers a 2.5-acre off-leash area for large dogs and a 1-acre off-leash area for small dogs. You'll love snapping pics of Princess rolling around in the grass and dirt with the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains in the background.

No need to worry if your pup is a bit of an escape artist — both fenced-in areas at Alice's Dog Park are double-gated. There's no shortage of benches, shade, and water fountains, which means you've got everything you need to play the day away.

Passing through Pasadena? Don't "furget" to stop by Alice's Dog Park!

Neighborhood: Encino

Agility training is becoming increasingly popular, and one of the best spots to test Tucker's skills is Sepulveda Basin Off Leash Dog Park in Encino. Sepulveda Basin Off Leash Dog Park has three separate fenced-in off-leash areas: one for large dogs, one for small dogs, and one for timid dogs. 

Each of these areas has its own agility course, complete with ramps, hoops, tabletops, and tunnels. The park itself is huge, too, covering a total area of 6.5 acres. There's lots of shade from trees, and park management is always planting more.

It's a bit of a drive from downtown LA, but it's worth the journey if you're searching for a large dog park with an agility course and plenty of amenities.

Los Angeles County enforces a code of conduct that applies to most dog parks. Read up on with the rules before visiting any of these puptastic parks. (These rules may differ at Alice's Dog Park and Bluff Creek Dog Park.)

When playing at LA County's dog parks, be sure to follow these rules:

• Clean up after your dog immediately after they go to the bathroom.
• Bring your pup's license and vaccination records with you to the park.
• Keep your pup leashed at all times in the parking area.
• Don't bring puppies under the age of 5 months or intact dogs into any LA County dog parks.
  

Does your furry pal need to brush up on their recall or manners? Book an in-home dog training session with Wag! today!