San Franciscans love their dogs. And in this city famously known for having more dogs than children, there are plenty of great places to take your dog for a fun day at the park or on the sand. In fact, San Francisco has more off -leash dog play areas than any other city in the Bay Area. Whether you’re after a rugged hike with sweeping views, a game of fetch in the waves, or just a nice stroll in a park with cozy cafes nearby for lunch, San Francisco has options a-plenty. Just remember to bring a water bowl for Fido and a bag, a spare, and one to share wherever you go.

On the beach

Dogs, sand, and water mix well, and the many dog-friendly San Francisco beaches offer opportunities for hours of fun. Here a few of the most popular coastline destinations.

Crissy Field

The gentle waves and easy currents keep this gem of a beach high on everybody’s list of favorites. Bring only well-socialized dogs to Crissy Field, as families, joggers, picnickers, and kite surfers also flock to this National Historic Monument. Crissy Field is located on the shoreline of the Presidio of San Francisco just southeast of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Turn the day into a destination trip by bringing a picnic, or visit the Crissy Field Center for a snack (dogs aren’t allowed inside). For a snack with your dog, head up to a bench outside the Park Presidio Café at the new Letterman Digital Arts Center just south of the Exploratorium.

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Ocean Beach

A glorious four miles of sand beckons both dogs and humans to go for a nice, long walk at Ocean Beach alongside San Francisco’s historic Great Highway. On a calm day, the waves break off shore, and dogs enjoy frolicking in the shallow surf, an especially nice treat for shorter dogs who enjoy playing in the water but prefer not to swim. To grab a cup of coffee or a sandwich, take the pooch to the always popular Java Beach Café located at the corner of Judah and the Great Highway.

Note that Ocean Beach is a mix of off-leash and strictly enforced on-leash areas. To respect the nesting areas of the snowy plover, dogs must be on leash between Sloat Boulevard and stairwell #21 (approximately Fulton).

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Fort Funston

Dogs seem to think they’ve died and gone to heaven at Fort Funston, but then this much off-leash roaming (12 acres) would put a smile on any dog’s face. Fort Funston is located south of Ocean Beach across from Lake Merced (also a nice option for a walk, especially if it’s too windy for the beach). Be careful of cliff edges, as dogs do occasionally have serious accidents here.

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Park Places

San Francisco boasts an enormous amount of green space dedicated to dog play. Officially there are 26 off-leash areas adding up to 120 acres open to exploration. A few of the all-time favorite parks include the following:

Mountain Lake Park

Mountain Lake’s fresh water has always drawn people to its shores, from the 1776 Spanish explorers to today’s children feeding ducks. The park is located at the southern edge of the Presidio at Lake Street and Funston in the Inner Richmond district and is popular with families, exercise groups, and dog walkers. The east end of the park (enter at 8th Avenue) is an off-leash dog play area, and your trip can easily turn into a good day’s walk since there is easy access to all of the Presidio trails.

The many shops and cafes of the Inner Richmond district make for a good side trip as well. A variety of dining options abound on the always-bustling Clement Street. If you want to sit with your pooch, two popular coffee shops with dog-friendly outdoor seating are the Caffe Del Sole at California and 6th Avenue and the Blue Danube on Clement and 4th Avenue.

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Golden Gate Park

Bigger than New York’s Central Park, this oasis of green space is the pride of the city with something for everyone, from swing dancing to lawn bowling to watching bison graze. Although there are only four areas of the park designated as leash-free, the sheer vastness of the space means you and your dog can walk until you’re both tired out. On Sundays JFK Drive closes to car traffic, as it has for 40 years, and dogs, kids, and foot traffic of all kinds fill the street.

It’s hard not to turn a trip to Golden Gate park into a full-day adventure. If you didn’t bring your own picnic, head over to the great cafés and restaurants in the Inner Sunset district at 9th Avenue and Irving (near the Japanese Tea Garden). A perennial favorite is The Canvas Gallery at 9th and Lincoln, but every other storefront in this area offers tempting fare. To take a bite back to the park, stop by Peasant Pies at Irving and 11th for a delicious and healthy snack.

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Buena Vista Park

This park lives up to its name. There is indeed a good view, many of them in fact from the top of this hilly park in the Haight-Ashbury district. Technically the oldest in San Francisco, Buena Vista Park continues to please. It is located at Haight Street and Buena Vista West.

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Dolores Park

Dolores Park offers open space, great views, and rest in a densely packed area of the city’s Mission district. When it’s foggy at the beach, it’s often sunny and warm in this protected park located between Church and Dolores and 18th and 20th Streets. The attitude at Dolores is more laid back. This is a park to come and sit in, chatting or people-watching (or dog-sniffing in Fido’s case), not one for big explorations. Bring a blanket, stop at one of the many Mission district eateries (like Mariachi’s Taqueria at Valencia and 16th) to pick up a snack and stay for the afternoon.

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Bernal Heights

One of the biggest off-leash parks in the city, 35 glorious acres, Bernal Heights offers dogs and their people a rugged hike with good city views. The park attracts dogs of all types; it even was home to a coyote for a while and encompasses the entirety of Bernal Hill just south of Cesar Chavez Street. Although not within easy walking distance of eateries, Cortland Avenue is close by and offers great dining options such as Maggie Mudd’s, a favorite ice cream shop with a full range of homemade flavors including vegan options.

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Wherever you choose to roam in San Francisco, make sure you do so responsibly. That includes keeping your dog under firm voice control at all times, and bringing a leash, even to off-leash areas, just in case. Now grab your canine friend and go out and enjoy. Those 120 acres are calling your names.