A place for bold dreams, limitless possibilities, and creative expression, Los Angeles is a city defined by the generosity of its people. As one of the world's most culturally diverse destinations, LA inspires visitors to immerse themselves in unexpected moments, unique perspectives, and an open-hearted community. Los Angeles has something for everyone with Sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, stunning mountains, bustling cityscapes, and leash-free dog parks. If you are a dog owner visiting or living in LA, you would be happy to know that you are in one of the most dog-friendly cities in America. There is always somewhere to go and something to see in the City of Angels. While we can't list them all, here are some top destinations to visit with your dog in Los Angeles.
Rosie's Dog Beach
There are many dog-friendly beaches in South California, but Rosie's Dog Beach carries the day for one reason – it's the only fully off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County. This magical canine wonderland covers 4.1 acres of sand and surf along the beautiful Pacific coast, where your dog can run, play and swim from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. There is metered parking, free parking on the street, and restrooms; they also provide poop bags. The beach can get crowded in the afternoon, so factor that in when planning your day with your pup.
Lake Hollywood Park
This is the best spot to see the Hollywood sign. The park is a large grassy field in Hollywood Hills surrounded by trees. Lake Hollywood Park is a dog-friendly park, so prepare for lots of frisbee throwing, dog chasing, and ball-toss games. The park is a great place to spend time with your pup, do yoga, have a picnic, or admire the Hollywood sign. It's open daily from sunrise to sunset. If you are in the mood, consider hitting the hiking paths that run from the park – one takes you up the Hollywood sign, while the other takes you around the reservoir.
Runyon Canyon
If you are in the mood for a hike with your furry friend, consider checking out the Runyon Canyon. The 160 acres of green space makes for one of the best dog-friendly destinations, and you would be happy to know that it's right in the middle of Hollywood. The canyon has a few overlapping loops with various degrees of difficulty and epic views of Hollywood. Run, hike, do yoga, and spend as much time as you want with your pup at the Runyon Canyon. That's not all – Runyon Canyon is an official dog park with plenty of areas where your dog can run off-leash.
Hahamongna Watershed Park
The Hahamongna Watershed Park is a great place to visit when you feel like you need a wilderness break without actually leaving the city. The park is well-maintained, with plenty of facilities, including picnic areas, barbecue pits, a 24-hole Frisbee golf course, hiking trails, and an athletic field. Enjoy the beautiful green scenery, mountain views, golden light, and sparse crowds with your pooch.
Angeles National Forest
If you drive north of downtown following the Angeles Crest Highway, you will find yourself at the Angeles National Forest. It makes for an exciting drive with plenty of vista points to stop at and enjoy the view of Los Angeles. It is also a great place to enjoy a relaxing snow day with your pup.
The Drive-Up at Santa Monica Airport
Santa Monica has the perfect place to park your car and catch up on the latest movie – the airport! The Santa Monica Airport hosts the Drive-Up, where you can watch multiple films. With a vast assortment of films, delicious food trucks, and themed lights, it's one of the best places to spend time with your pup. The drive-in is always dog-friendly whether you are sitting or driving.
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center
If you want a unique experience with your pet, try the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center. The 932-acre park has plenty of hiking and rock-climbing trails and is a popular destination for equestrians, hikers, and picnickers. Vasquez is LA's most beautiful nature destination and has been featured in many television shows, movies, and commercials, making for the perfect sightseeing and photo-taking opportunity.
Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden
This seven-acre public garden on the UCLA campus is open to the public. The park maintains one of the most important botanical collections, with international and local fauna growing all year round. The garden welcomes leashed dogs to walk through the garden with their owners to enjoy the park's beauty.
Mount Hollywood Trail
Mount Hollywood Trail features a three-mile hiking trail perfect for adventurous hikers looking to spend quality time with their furry friends. The hike should take about an hour and a half with stunning views of the Los Angeles Basin and the Hollywood sign.
Huntington Dog Beach
The dog beach is located in Orange County, just south of Los Angeles. It is a dog-friendly beach where your leashed dogs can accompany their owners. Enjoy the ocean view with the feel of the sand under your feet and paws all year long.
Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve
The wildlife reserve boasts 225 acres just outside Sherman Oaks in Encino. There are walking trails for any level of hiker and an off-leash dog park where your pup can run wild and free.
Hollywood
We can't talk about top destinations in LA without mentioning Hollywood. As one of the most famous neighborhoods in Los Angeles and the United States, there is plenty to explore here. Even better, bring your dog along. Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Boulevard, Ovation Hollywood, TCL Chinese Theatre, the Dolby Theatre, and more.
Blue Dog Beer Tavern
Los Angeles has many destinations for nature lovers, picnickers, movie lovers, and foodies. After a long day visiting the beach and hiking, pop in at the Blue Dog Beer Tavern for an old-school cold beer and burgers. It is a great spot to spend the day with your pup and even submit photos of your dog for the doggie wall of fame.
Dog Training in Los Angeles: Basic and Advanced Obedience Skills
There's plenty to discover in the City of Angels, whether you are a first-timer, frequent visitor, or a local, with multi-faceted neighborhoods and hidden gems. As one of the most dog-friendly cities, LA isn't just home to the biggest stars on the planet but also many happy furry paws. While you would want nothing more than to leave the house and explore some of the mentioned destinations in LA, there's a significant issue to consider – is your dog well-behaved and adequately socialized?
To have the best experience with your canine companion, manners and strict training are necessary. Your dog must have basic obedience skills to follow commands, be able to walk politely, whether on a leash or off-leash, and should not have aggression or anxiety issues. This is something a professional dog trainer can help with. Luckily, Off Leash SoCal Dog Training is at your beck and call for all your dog's training needs.
As a top-rated dog training company for Southern California, we offer basic and obedience training and specialty dog training programs like dog behavior modification training and aggressive dog training for dogs with reactivity and separation anxiety issues. We also offer off-leash puppy and adult dog board & train programs. Our training programs are meant to help you better manage your pup so you can easily take them anywhere and everywhere.