Although spring is just starting to take hold in many parts of the country, Southern California has the distinct advantage of typically warm weather year round, especially around the Los Angeles area. City dwellers love their four-legged just as much as those in the sprawling countryside do, and like their country brethren, city dogs need the opportunity to run, play, fetch, and otherwise get some daily activity in. Leash laws are pretty common nowadays, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places where you and your best friend can have a great day out in nature. Here are a few great hiking trails for dogs in Los Angeles.
Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon Park is one of the most well-known hiking trails for dogs in Los Angeles, located in the Hollywood Hills, just east of the Santa Monica Mountains. This is an officially designated dog park, with 130 acres for you and your dog to traverse, including several areas where dogs are permitted to be off-leash. Runyon Canyon Park is a very popular destination for LA residents and their dogs, so if you are going to let your buddy be off-leash, be sure that he or she is okay to socialize with other dogs and people. The trails offer impressive views of the city, and with 500-700 feet of elevation gain, you both will definitely get your share of activity here!
Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park
Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park is a favorite among hiking trails for dogs in Los Angeles, as it is a completely off-leash park. Owners must maintain supervision of their dogs throughout their visit, however, so be sure that your dog is trained well enough to obey commands and not go tearing off into the wild unknown. This 1,500-acre expanse offers hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and dog owners to explore some of the most beautiful terrain in the Santa Monica Mountains, located just off Mulholland Drive.
Rosie’s Dog Beach – Long Beach
If your dog loves to feel the waves lapping at his or her paws — and what dog wouldn’t on a hot day — then Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach is definitely the premiere place to be. Not a hiking trail for dogs per se, this area allows dogs to be off-leash from 6am to 8pm daily, but are not permitted outside these hours. Its roughly 2.9 acres along Ocean Boulevard is a perfect place to enjoy a day at the beach with your dog, but people without dogs visit the area as well, so again, make sure your dog is okay with being social. Although waste bag dispensers are provided here, they may not be stocked regularly, so be sure to bring your own waste bags and always clean up after your pup!
Images via Ryan Vaarsi, LifeSupercharger
