The Bay Area Dog’s Bucket List: Peninsula Edition

Getting a dog is super fun, but taking your pup out and bonding with other proud dog parents makes the experience twice as nice.

Here are the best spots to take your dog on the San Francisco Bay Area peninsula.

Dog Parks

San Carlos

The San Carlos Dog Park, located right by City Hall and the library, can be a rager of a party or Sleepy Hollow. It depends on the time of day and frankly, a little bit of luck. It’s a little disappointing that this park isn’t open on Sundays, but apparently this is to the benefit of the neighbors.

There’s plenty of space and shade at this park, which is great. Both grass and dirt terrain are an option for your furball to romp around in.

Bonus: the Dog Pool Club, also in San Carlos, is open for well-behaved dogs who like to splash. This is a privately owned business, so it’s not free – but definitely worth checking out if you’ve got a four-legged swimmer in the family. 

Foster City

The Foster City Dog Park is my favorite, to the point where I would go well out of my way for a visit. There are separate runs for big and small dogs. The cutoff is 35 pounds, but if you have a large shy dog you are welcome to have them in the small dog section. Likewise if you have a rambunctious Frenchie who can hold his own in the big dog section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Astroturf is the specialty here. The nice thing about this park is that there’s a lot. It’s also right by the lagoon, so your dog can take a dip on a hot day before heading home. It’s a great summer day option, since Foster City is often a few degrees cooler when the rest of the Peninsula is hot. 

Redwood Shores

There’s plenty of space but not much shade here at Shore Dogs Park. Like Foster City, big and small dogs are split up. It’s out in a remote part of Redwood Shores, so parking will never be an issue here.

Adventure Spots
Fort Funston

Someone on Yelp called this place Doggie Heaven. Another alias is Doggie Disneyland. They’re not wrong. This place is so popular that Bay Area dog lovers pooled funds to keep it open during the 2019 government shutdown.

Dogs run rampant and mostly carefree on the grounds of this former military reservation while hang gliders hover ahead and the Pacific Ocean lurches below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fort Funston is off leash and as dog-friendly as it gets. Water fountains are stationed along the path to the beach and bowls are left out. There are also a few spots with poop bags, but you may want to be your own just to make sure you’ve got something to clean up with at any point on your walk.

If your dog likes the water, venture down to the beach and let them play to their heart’s content.

The only downsides to this place are that it can get very cold, windy and cloudy. If you’re there on a particularly windy day, the flying sand can be pretty unpleasant.

Fort Funston is a true bucket list field trip for a Bay Area dog, so go out of your way to take them at least once.

Stulstaft Park

Stulstaft Park is a public park in Redwood City that allows dogs off leash in certain areas. There are multiple trails, creeks, trees, and enough squirrels to tire your dog out for the rest of the day.

Try to be vigilant about making sure your dog is only off leash in the designated areas here. Park rangers patrol this place regularly and will issue citations.

Water Dog Park

Water Dog Park is located in Belmont. It’s small, but convenient if you happen to live in the area. There’s an off-leash trail where your dog is welcome to roam and explore.

Half Moon Bay State Beach

This place is also known as Poplar Beach. It’s located right off Highway One southbound. Your dog will have to stay on leash, but she’s welcome to frolic in the waves and romp along the coastline.

Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay

The Ritz-Carlton is Beautiful with a capital B for humans, and fun for dogs. Park at the small turnout lot behind Ocean Colony or drive onto the Ritz-Carlton property and tell the parking attendant that you’re going to the beach so you can park in the garage for free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Then follow the cement path around to the back of the property and be wowed by the ocean views. They used to have a Yappy Hour with chicken and beef flavored water for dogs provided, but that seems to be a thing of the past. The hotel property remains dog-friendly, though.

 

Half Moon Bay itself is also full of dog-friendly restaurants. Sam’s Chowder House and Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. are great places to wind down an adventure dog day and snacking before the drive home.

If your dog likes water, take them paddle boarding or kayaking at Pillar Point Harbor! Half Moon Bay Kayak Co. will be happy to accommodate your dog and even provides life jackets for them at no extra charge.

Crissy Field

Crissy Field is a great place for your dog to have a fun romp – and for you to load up on Insta-friendly pictures of your dog with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.  

What are your favorite places to take your dog on the Peninsula and the City? Did I leave anything out? 

Josh Adams-Ford