Alviso Marina County Park

Serving as the gateway to the 30,000-acre Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the Alviso Marina County Park is a furrific spot to spend a relaxing afternoon with your favorite four-legged friend. Though only 21 acres, this bayside park offers various outdoor activities, attracting hikers, bikers, and birdwatchers all year round.

Canine companions are allowed in some areas of Alviso Marina as long as they are under control and remain on a 6-foot leash. Fido is free to join you on the park's paved pathways and picnic area, but note that the trails, boardwalks, and levees are off-limits to furry visitors. That said, you'll have to have another member of your pawty watch your pooch if you'd like to explore the salt flats or slough, or come back another day when Fido is not tagging along.

Still, you and your pup can go for a pleasant stroll by going around the pathways a few times. Be sure to pawse and enjoy the puptastic views of the mountains surrounding the bay, and see if you can spot some of the wildlife species that call the park home. Make sure your pooch practices good trail petiquette as you'll be sharing the pathways with other pedestrians, dogs, and bikes. Remember to bring doggie waste bags for cleaning up after your four-legged buddy, as well as plenty of water to keep both of you hydrated. Don't leave home without packing a picnic, too, so you can refuel in the picnic area after your walk.

If you'd like to extend your adventure into the adjacent refuge, keep in mind that puppers are only permitted on Marshlands Road, the Tidelands Trail, and the Quarry Trail in Fremont.

For a quick, peaceful getaway in the heart of California's high-tech industry, head to the Alviso Marina County Park with Fido!