Dog Parks in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a relatively pet-friendly city, populated by folks fixated on fitness (lots of jogging means lots of fun for the pooches), and others who crave the non-judgmental affection that only a pet can provide (lots of auditions means lots of rejection).

Let’s face it. We love our pets like our kids, but bringing your pet along on a vacation is always a chore – an added level of organization and additional arrangements to be made. Imagine a world where the imminent traveler must clarify with hotels that children are allowed, where children must be crated to fly, where they have to stay in the car while you enjoy a restaurant, where they must endure quarantine when traveling to another country. This childless traveler would appreciate the respite from the insanity of children on my flight – asylum from the asylum, if you will – but those of us who cherish our pets like our own offspring must abide by the dominant cultural mores, and accept second-rate status for our quadrupedal companions. Here are some recommendations for your trip to L.A. with your pets.

Los Angeles sprawls, which as it turns out, is an advantage for the traveler joined by his pet. Sprinkled throughout the greater metropolitan region are many leash-off dog parks. Most don’t boast particularly well-groomed grass or other greenery, but the trade-off is plenty of water for park patrons (of the canine variety), friendly patrons (of canine and human variety), and plenty of exercise for all. The Silverlake Dog Park spreads over plenty of ground in the legendary L.A. neighborhood, and the local reservoir makes for some glorious scenery as human patrons walk, jog, or sit and relax.

The Lake Hollywood Dog Park is well-tended, and expertly placed in the shadow of Hollywood’s most famous landmark (leave it to an ego-driven business like the movies to have the most famous landmark in a city full of them be a huge sign proclaiming its name). Rest assured that after you have won your Oscar, you will think back fondly on your time at Lake Hollywood’s park, instead of just considering it an inconvenience you had to endure on your race to stardom.
If exercise is what you wish for yourself and your pooch, visit Runyon Canyon Park. Beautiful scenery and leash-off hiking trails dominate Runyon Canyon, with options of varying difficulty in case you or pup require some pampering. If you are capable, take the hike up to Cloud’s Rest.

Of course, on any vacation, Mom and Dad want to get out and do something without the kids – canine kids included. But why should Fido have to wait in a hotel room full of unfamiliar smells, wondering if his people will ever return? Give your boy or girl the pampering he/she deserves at Chateau Marmutt. True, I have a weakness for puns, and for businesses that share my weakness, but the Chateau is a great option for all who need a guilt-free respite from the pooch for a more human-centric evening.