Magnolia is a large neighborhood in the northwest corner of the central part of Seattle. The neighborhood encompasses a peninsula that is out of the main flow of traffic for the city, making this area of Seattle more like a suburb than an urban area despite the close proximity to the downtown area.
To add to the seclusion, this area only has a couple of ways in and out of the neighborhood, so traffic is limited to those visiting the various attractions and those who live here. There are plenty of places to grab a cup of coffee and, in the summer, you can find street food and a farmers market.
Weather in Seattle is mild compared to many other areas in the country, with few temperature extremes. Snow is very rare, but every few years, the area does get a storm that tends to paralyze the city. Fortunately, none of these weather events last long.
Magnolia has a lot of elevation changes. It is built on a bluff, and as such, you will find a lot of hills in many of the neighborhoods. It is possible to find a route that does not have a lot of hills in some areas, which would be ideal for those who have little walking experience. For those who really want a challenge, keep in mind that runners come from all over the city to experience the complexity and challenge of running in Discovery Park around the loop, so you and your pup will not lack for places to get whatever level of exercise you are after.
The streets do have sidewalks, which is not the case in all Seattle neighborhoods and they also have very wide shoulders with grass and trees. If you choose to walk around your neighborhood, your pup will have plenty of places to stop and explore.
Magnolia has a very generous amount of green space for you to take your pup if you are tired of walking on concrete and want to give them something natural. Discovery Park makes up a large part of Magnolia and, at over 600 acres, it is the largest park in Seattle. It is very popular, so you can expect it to be crowded on the weekends. A loop surrounds the entire park, but that is not the only trail available. There is even a bluff which offer some of the most spectacular views you will find anywhere in the city.
Magnolia Manor Park had an off-leash area and Lawton Park and Kiwanis Memorial Preserve Park are great places to escape for a walk if you happen to live up in that area. Commodore Park allows you to cross over to the Ballard locks and enjoy the park there as well as hook up with the Burke Gilman Trail.