Best Off-Leash Dog Areas In Los Angeles
From the popular pooch Boneyard in Culver City and dog runs for pampered pets in Manhattan Beach to a massive 90-acre canine playground in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, here’s our roundup of the best off-leash dog areas that the City of Angels has to offer.
Runyon Canyon Dog Park
2000 N. Fuller Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 666-5046
www.laparks.org
With three trails to choose from, you can give your canine companion a comprehensive cardio workout at this 90-acre slice of doggie heaven in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. The sprawling 160-acre park has two main entrances -- at Fuller and Mulholland -- and provides Angelenos with a range of easy through difficult dog friendly hikes coupled with some stunning hillside views of downtown Los Angeles. If you’re in need of a mental recharge as well as a little dog walking exercise, you can even take part in one of the park’s free daily yoga lessons.
Laurel Canyon Dog Park
8260 Mulholland Drive
Studio City, CA 90046
(818) 769-4415
www.laparks.org
Local residents along with their favorite four-legged friends can take advantage of this three-acre off-leash dog park -- with separate areas for large and small dogs -- that’s nestled in the heart of the Hollywood Hills. The small parking lot, which can handle around 35 cars, can get busy on the weekends but don't let that deter you because your dog will relish the opportunity to charge around in company with an assortment of doggie companions.
Redondo Beach Dog Park
190th St. & Flagler Lane
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
(310) 376-9263
www.rbdogpark.com
Located at the northern end of Dominguez Park in the City of Redondo Beach in the Los Angeles South Bay, this three-acre dog park -- which includes fenced areas for both pups and larger pooches -- has been a popular hangout for four-legged friends and their owners for over two decades. Be warned, because it's the biggest and most popular doggie destination in the LA South Bay, it can get very crowded. If you and your pet are in search of a tad more serenity, then the El Segundo Dog Park (with large and small dog pet areas) on East Imperial Avenue is a great local alternative and has heaps of shade to help beat the California heat.
Rosie's Dog Beach
5000 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90803
www.longbeach.gov
If your pooch loves sun, sea and sand, then the 2.9-acre dog zone situated between Roycroft and Argonne off East Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach remains the only officially sanctioned off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County. The dog beach -- the borders of which are delineated by traffic cones -- gives Los Angeles-based pet owners a rare opportunity (absent a two- to three-hour drive) to see their pets frolicking in the ocean surf.
The Boneyard
Duquesne Ave.
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 390-9114
www.culvercitydogpark.org
The Boneyard is a well-known hillside pit stop for mutts in the Culver City area. It is a welcome retreat for pups to run about and enjoy the freedom of off-leash fun. Located on Duquesne Avenue (about 3/4 mile east of Overland) and with separate sections for small and large dogs, the Boneyard -- which actually lies within the boundaries of the 41.5-acre Culver City Park -- includes benches, shade structures, canine water fountains and night lighting.
Julian Gothard is an internationally published freelance writer covering all things Los Angeles. You can check out his popular RVing and travel column at Examiner.com.
