Dog walking in Orinda

North Orinda

After you've enjoyed a morning full of hiking and exploring with your furry friend, head to the North Orinda neighborhood for lunch at one of the area's best dog-friendly restaurants: Piccolo Napoli. Your pup is welcome at any of the four outdoor tables at this delicious pizzeria specializing in Neopolitan-style cuisine. Enjoy pizzas, salads, bruschetta, pasta, calzones and more here at Piccolo Napoli. Afterwards, head over to the nearby Orinda Community Park next to the Orinda Community Center. This wonderful park has two playgrounds, picnic and barbeque areas, three tennis courts and an expansive grassy area, perfect to work off some of the excess pizza calories!

Downtown Orinda

Head into the downtown area of charming Orinda, where you can enjoy the historic city center and even some window shopping at the local boutiques. Plus, one of the city's finest dog-friendly attractions is located here: Loard's Ice Cream. Choose from classic flavors such as chocolate and vanilla, or opt for one of the more complex flavors such as almond joy, peppermint stick and peanut butter fudge. Loard's also offers a number of seasonal flavors including eggnog, pistachio, pumpkin, and even blueberry cheesecake. Just remember to have something to tie your pup up with when you go inside, as table service is not available here.

Wildcat Canyon

Head just outside downtown Orinda and you'll find yourself in Wildcat Canyon. This neighborhood serves as the gateway for Tilden Regional Park, an incredible 2,079-acre park with incredible hiking trails and an opportunity to see one of the best views of the Bay Area. As you hike, you'll have the chance to the almighty Redwood trees as you cross over grassy hills and through streams within rocky gorges. If you want to learn more about the park's flora and fauna, head to the visitor center for a chance to sit in on a lecture or participate in a guided tour. Tilden Regional Park certainly deserves a spot on your list!

Skyline

A short 15-minute drive south of Orinda, you will find the neighborhood of Skyline, which is the entrance to the regional favorite: Redwood Regional Park. Often thought of as a sort of "hidden" redwood forest, Redwood Regional Park is truly a hidden gem and a purrfect addition to your dog-friendly Orinda itinerary. An area once extensively used in the logging industry, the park now consists of an incredible array of Redwood trees, many of which are more than 150 feet tall. You'll also have the opportunity to see some of California's more rare wildlife, including the golden eagle and the Alameda striped racer, also commonly called the California Whipsnake.

Reliez Valley

Located just 10 minutes east of Orinda, you will find the neighborhood of Reliez Valley. This sparsely populated neighborhood is the gateway to the astonishing Briones Regional Park. The Briones Regional Park is an incredible 6,255 acres in size and is home to a vast array of wildlife, including black-tailed deer, red-tailed hawks, coyotes, squirrels and turkey vultures. Additionally, even though the park is virtually surrounding by various cities in Contra Costa County, including Orinda, there are certain peaks within the park that give visitors the opportunity to look out onto the vast surrounding wilderness with nothing else in sight. Briones Peak, the highest in the park, offers a panoramic view of Mount Diablo, Diablo Valley, the Sacremento River and Delta, the East Bay Hills, Mount Tamalpais and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. Just be sure to keep your pup leashed at all times within the park!