Off-Leash Dog Parks in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is home to off-leash dog parks that the pet lover may visit with obedient pups. These dog-friendly parks make exercising a canine companion a fun experience in the fast-paced L.A. area. Isn't it time you picked a dog park to visit today?

Silverlake Dog Park (1.25 acres/off-leash)
1850 West Silver Lake Drive, Los Angeles 90026; (323) 644-3946

Residents and visitors to the City of Angels may want to file away this dog park as a possibility -- if they know the eastern portion of the L.A. area sufficiently well to find street parking.

There is no parking lot dedicated for use by dog lovers and their canine companions. Unlike the other parks that assume a dawn to dusk rule, this one has stated hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The sole exception is Wednesday, when the park does not admit pups and their owners until 8:30 a.m.

Hermon Dog Park (in Arroyo Seco Park) (1.3 acres/off-leash)
5566 Via Marisol, Los Angeles, 90042; (323) 255-0370

Los Angeles dog lovers enjoy this gem among local off-leash dog parks, in part because it features two separately fenced-in areas for large and small animals. The adjacent day-use park features numerous barbecue pits, picnic tables, lighted tennis courts and a children's playground. As local dog parks go, this one is very user-friendly -- in part because it provides biodegradable waste bags to clean up where doggie leaves off.

Griffith Park Dog Park (1.6 acres/off-leash)
North Zoo Drive and John Ferraro Soccer Field, Los Angeles 90027; (323) 913-4688

Although small, this dog park offers off-leash privileges to obedient canines. Small dogs - or those afraid in the company of larger canines - may use a fenced in playpen area. While there are picnic tables in the park, food is not permitted. Forty parking spots allow for easy access, while troughs permit the pups to enjoy some water after play.

Runyon Canyon Dog Park (90 acres/off-leash)
2000 North Fuller Avenue, Los Angeles 90046; (323) 666-5046

This is one of the largest local dog parks that Los Angeles residents can enjoy. It is part of a larger 160-acre open space with excellent hiking terrain. Cliffs as well as paved and dirt trails, copious underbrush and plenty of flora and fauna make this a heavenly experience for the nose of any voice-trained dog. A children's play area is fenced in but off-limits to canine companions.

A word of warning to the L.A. dog lover: this venue is only suitable if your off-leash dog responds to voice command immediately. Spirited small dogs sometimes try the patience of their larger counterparts and steep grades and cliffs can make this a dangerous turf for the dog that fails to come when called. Since this is also a wildlife area, be aware that coyotes are being sighted around the Los Angeles area during summer and also fall.

Sources

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/silverLakeDogPk.htm

http://www.hermondogpark.com/

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/griffithParkDogPk.htm

http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/runyonCynDogPk.htm