Not since Grandma insisted to my parents that a boy of 10 must have a dog, have I had the pleasure of hiking with my own four-legged best friend. Now I incessantly ask my dog-owner friends if they need me to dog sit, or take the little rascals out on walks, so I can indulge in what is arguably the best part of having a dog. But instead of opting for a crowded park, I seek out dog-friendly beaches, hills, lakes, and open spaces—all plentiful in the Bay Area. Dogs can romp and play and chase to their heart’s content. And I earn my friends’ undying gratitude for bringing a tuckered-out pup home; not to mention the promise of a future outing in the wilderness with my best buddy for a day. So whether you want to let your dog loose, or take in a scenic trek where leashes are required, here are three Bay Area hikes and outdoor areas that should be on every dog owner’s (and dog lover’s) must-do list.

Muir Beach

Marin | Rodeo Beach and Muir Beach
Lagoons, marsh lands, large beaches, streams, and very hike-able overlooks are what make Rodeo Beach and Muir Beach such spectacular places for dogs and their nature-loving owners. Plus you can run the pups and let them dig to their way to China, as leashes are not required. Make sure to hike up into the headlands on the Coastal Trail at either location. The very ambitious can hike the trail from one beach to the other and enjoy some incredible vistas of San Francisco and the Pacific en route. Make sure to look for leash restrictions while on the Coastal Trail.

Rodeo is much closer to San Francisco. You can take Conzelman Road on the north side of the Golden Gate to McCullough Road to Bunker Road. Due to a section of road that washed out during this year’s “Stormpocalypse,” Highway 1 will be closed for repairs for at least a few months between the Panoramic Highway cutoff and Muir Beach. To get to Muir Beach, take Highway 1 from Mill Valley to Panoramic Highway. Then take a left on Muir Woods Road, which will bring you through Muir Woods and drop you back on Highway 1. Take a right on Pacific Way to reach Big Lagoon and the Muir Beach parking lot. 

San Francisco | Fort Funston
Located just west of Highway 35 near the Olympic Club, Fort Funston consists of trails that maze through undulating cliff faces looking out over miles upon miles of breakers. Wind through Cyprus trees and ice plant down to beautiful and expansive Ocean Beach. With its gradual descent to the water, this iconic beach is perfect for letting your dog test the chilly Pacific, or bound into a foot or two of water after a stick or ball. Hike the Sunset Trail for the best views. And on certain days, you’ll see hang gliders launching off the steep cliff face just north of the parking lot. Plus, no leashes are required here, so the pups can run wild and free until they’re all tuckered out.

Los Gatos | Sierra Azul Open Space
Lush and green in the winter and spring, tinted rich golden brown in the summer and fall, the Sierra Azul Open Space is a vast network of trails winding through streams, hills, meadows, and other West Coast natural wonders. Head west on Highway 17 and take the Bear Creek Road exit. Cross the highway and head north to Alma Bridge Road and on to the Lexington Reservoir County Park. You can park here and walk across the Alma Bridge Road to the Limekiln Trail trailhead. Try the Priest Rock Trail with its 800-foot elevation gain, or just saunter along with your little buddy through the oak trees, tall grass, and beautiful landscapes. Leashes are required here unless the trail sign detonates otherwise.  

Don’t forget your sunscreen, hat, and another layer—plus plenty of water for you and the pups. And as always, be sure to let someone know where you are headed and when you expect to return.

Happy hiking!

By Rich Wright, Bay Club copywriter

LINK: https://onelombard.com/fitness/201518trailblazer-best-hikes-for-dogs-and-dog-owners/