Watsonville Dog Park (at Pinto Lake)

The town of Watsonville, California has a lot going for it with a mild coastal climate (not too cold, not too hot), it is close but not too close to San Francisco (about 90 miles north on US 101), and it is one of the most important agricultural cities in the United States. 

In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables of all sorts abound near Watsonville. The town dates back to the 1840s, shortly before the California Gold Rush, and while no one in the Watsonville area struck it rich, this town, between Santa Cruz and Monterey, has a special luster of its own.

If you live in the area, you can get out into the California sunshine with your canine pal and enjoy Pinto Lake Dog Park. The dog park is part of a 183-acre complex. It's a great location for picnics, fishing, or a family outing and covered pavilions can be rented. There's a disc golf course as well as restrooms with wheelchair access. Also, there is a long nature trail is clearly marked and indicate the wildlife you might spot as you walk. 

But since your dog probably isn't interested in fishing (although picnics are probably right up his alley), there are separate, enclosed areas for all dogs and small dogs. The exclusive doggy part of the park only measures about one-third acre or 16,000 square feet, but it still features human-height water fountains as well as dog-height water fountains, a feature not often found in dog parks. 

Reviewers report the dog areas are well covered with bark and cedar chips, but also that while there are dog waste bag dispensers, the county sometimes takes a while to resupply them. In other words, you might want to carry some waste bags with you, just in case the dispensers have run out.