Laguna Lake Park

The city of San Luis Obispo is the perfect place to enjoy the amenities of an urban city, and the perks of being outdoors and surrounded by nature. Mountains and fresh open space creep right to the city's backdoor. One of the easier walks to explore these areas on is the Laguna Lake Loop Trail in Laguna Lake Park. This nature park has a well-maintained terrain with an abundance of natural wonders.

The parking lot of the trail has amazing features for you and your pup to enjoy, from views of Laguna Lake to the open area that allows off-leash play for you and your pup. At this part of the park, you can also use the restroom, get some water, and grab some clean-up bags before hiking. The trail itself is made from a couple of trails connected together with other names, although altogether it is known as the Laguna Lake Loop Trail. 

The first trail you start on is the Allen K. Settle Trail, an asphalt trail that you have to walk on a tenth of a mile before entering onto the loop. The loop trail starts off surrounded by lush green fields, with a small hilly peak to the right, and the lake to the left. After passing a wooden gate, hikers will travel right to enter the Laguna Lake Upper Loop Trail, a second trail apart of the Lake Laguna Loop Trail.

This trail travels to the northern edge, showcasing the park's desert space, with plants, and wildflowers like poppies growing on the sides. At the northern end of this trail, hikers can view the Cerro San Luis Obispo. After turning right, the trail connects to its final trail, the Lake Side Trail that connects the loop. This trail turns into packed gravel and crushed stone, and travels along the shores of the lake, offering views of the water, wetlands along the shore, and spots to fish at the lake.

This trail connects back to the Allen K. Settle Trail at the wooden gate, where hikers can travel back to their car. The lush and diverse environment of the park will be sure to draw you and Fido back for another walk or playtime at the dog park.