The Los Angeles area is filled to the brim with dog-friendly adventures that allow owners to maintain social distancing measures and experience, art, culture, food, and the great outdoors. Keeping your canine pal safe yet entertained during the pandemic is possible, and no matter where you live in LA, owners should venture out and explore the glorious airy spaces that can be found across the metro area.
East Los Angeles, Echo Park, Laveta & Echo Park Lake
Laveta is the perfect dog-friendly spot to grab a cup of coffee or bite to eat before hitting the trails or the lake. They even have complimentary dog biscuits waiting for furry friends and socially distanced seating outside. Echo Park Lake is about a 60-second stride away from the eatery, and a great place to go for a walk after dining. If you make this destination a weekend escape, you’ll be able to experience local food vendors, clothes, and street art on occasion.
After a walk by the lake, be sure to stop in at Stories, a bookstore and cafe, that is two blocks away from where dogs are welcome. They have an eclectic selection of books, journals, and greeting cards with socially-distanced patio seating. The Lady Byrd Cafe has an open-air patio, is also open for dine-in service, and they’ve added new private dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
They also offer prepared meals to take away for anyone looking to picnic in the park. Elysian Park is just a couple of minutes away, and has hiking trails that offer fantastic views of downtown, Dodgers Stadium (a dog-friendly disc golf course), and are filled with photo-worthy spots such as the “secret swing” at Angel’s Point.
The Muddy Paw Cafe is a dog park and coffee shop with a spectacular outdoor and seating area for people to watch their dog play with other pet pals. This is an “all-in-one” experience that gives dogs a chance to run around and have fun, which provides owners with an opportunity to grab coffee or a bite to eat. The Eagle Rock Dog Park is another area to check out, and ending the day at The Oinkster is the perfect place for “slow fast food” and patio dining.
Home State in Highland Park has socially distanced patio dining and takeout. Nearby you can also find Deb’s Park, where you can take advantage of fantastic hiking trails and many great views of downtown LA and the surrounding areas. The Hermon Park Dog Park is very close to Home State and near public tennis courts that are dog-friendly.
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West Los Angeles, Venice, Santa Monica & West Hollywood
Did you know there was a bakery totally devoted to dogs? Oh yes, a must-see in west LA is by far The Dog Bakery. You’ll find everything here from special occasion cakes to everyday treats. After loading up, make your way to one of the many dog parks in Santa Monica.
Your dog will enjoy their time in Palisades Park, and the view of the ocean is the perfect setting for fun. If you’re up for some shopping in West Hollywood, Amoeba Music is the world’s largest indie record store and a dog-friendly spot where that you and your pup can browse.
Hollywood provides dog-friendly activities with a glamorous backdrop. Wattles Mansion and Gardens is a beautiful place to take in some greenery and snap some photos with the mansion in the background. Keep in mind that your K9 pal may not be allowed inside the mansion but you’ll be able to get a great snapshot outside, and the nearby Runyon Canyon Dog Park is a fantastic outdoor area where you can let your dog play.
Dogs are welcome on the walk of fame, so find your favorite celebrity before unwinding at either The Fat Dog or The Waffle, which both have dog-friendly patios.
Burbank Area
Brace Canyon Park is an entertaining outdoor area with picnic tables, tennis courts, basketball courts, and lighted ball fields. Whitnall Off-Leash Dog Park is the perfect place for your dog to run free. After your dog’s belly is full, grab some “human food” at the Garden Cafe, and enjoy a casual environment with outdoor dining.
Downtown Burbank is a highly walkable area with scheduled events such as art festivals, and Wildwood Canyon Park has scenic hiking trails that will take travelers to Radio Tower.
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South Bay
Beach, sand, sun, and blue water is what both dogs and owners can expect to enjoy in the South Bay. Starting out with a beachside dining experience at the Good Stuff Hermosa Beach is a relaxed way to dine oceanside. Dog parks galore run the gamut of Redondo Beach, Hermosa, and the Westchester areas.
The Redondo Beach Dog Park is an enclosed three-acre space with separate areas for large and small dogs. Dominguez Park is the surrounding park that your dog will enjoy strolling through, and Dockweiler Beach in Westchester is the perfect place by the water for bonfires or watching planes. There’s also a bike path, volleyball courts, restrooms, and showers at this location.
Be sure to pop into the Westchester Recreation Center to see what great local events are happening in the area. The Redondo Beach Farmers Market and the Riviera Farmers Market are two of many outdoor shopping experiences where buyers can browse various fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, honey, olive oil, flowers, plants, and herbs from organic farmers in southern and central California areas.
The Redondo Beach Association also hosts a slew of regular outdoor events such as yoga on the beach and local business events.
A place for every pup
Los Angeles is one of the most dog-friendly areas in the U.S., and the plentiful green spaces, beaches, dog eateries, and care facilities will make your pet feel well cared for. You can ensure your pet is getting enough exercise while also taking in the sights yourself.
A consistent flow of beautiful weather also makes LA a fantastic place to live, and the opportunity to take dog companions out regularly is a big plus in this region.
