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      • EBMUD Trails
      • Fernandez Ranch
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      • Phoenix Lake
      • Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve
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      • Sam's Anchor Cafe
      • Tiburon Peninsula Historical Trail
      • Tucker Trail Falls
    • Mariposa County >
      • Happy Burger Diner
      • Yosemite National Park
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      • Catch-a-Canoe
      • MacKerricher State Park
      • Mendocino Headlands State Park
      • Navarro River Redwoods State Park
      • Princess Seafood
      • Skunk Train
      • The Stanford Inn By The Sea
      • Van Damme State Beach
    • Mono County >
      • Bodie State Historic Park
      • Jolly Kone
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      • Mono Lake (Tufa State National Reserve)
      • Virginia Creek Settlement
    • Monterey County >
      • 17-Mile Drive
      • Asilomar State Beach
      • Bistro Beaujolais
      • Carmel Beach
      • Fishwife
      • Fort Ord Dunes State Park
      • Garland Ranch Regional Park
      • Jack's Peak
      • Monterey Bay Coastal Trail
      • Monterey Bay Kayaks
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      • Motel 6 - Downtown Monterey
      • Ryan Ranch Disc Golf Course
      • Ventana Wilderness
    • Nevada County >
      • Fairy Falls
    • Placer County >
      • Hidden Falls
    • San Francisco County >
      • 2.2 Mile Urban Hike
      • Bernal Heights Park
      • The Brixton
      • Billy Goat Hill Park
      • Blackwood
      • Clipper Cove Beach
      • Crissy Field
      • Dynamo Donut + Coffee
      • Fort Funston
      • Fort Mason
      • Glen Canyon Park
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      • The Great Lawn/ Avenue of the Palms
      • Java Beach Cafe
      • John McLaren Park
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      • Lake Merced
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      • Letterman Digital Arts Center
      • Marina Green
      • Mount Davidson
      • Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve
      • Ocean Beach
      • Palace of Fine Arts
      • Philz Coffee Truck
      • Stern Grove
      • Sutro Baths
      • Sutro Heights Park
      • TreasureFest
    • San Mateo County >
      • 7 Mile House Sports Bar & Grill
      • Barbara's Fishtrap
      • Bedwell Bayfront Park
      • Bob's Vegetable Stand and Pumpkin Farm
      • Cafe Pacifica
      • Devil's Slide Coastal Trail
      • Esplanade Beach
      • Flying Fish Grill
      • Half Moon Bay Kayak Co.
      • McNee Ranch State Park (Montara Mountain)
      • Montara State Beach
      • Mori Point
      • Mussel Rock Park
      • Panera Bread
      • Pedro Point Headlands
      • Poplar Beach
      • Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
      • Rancho Corral de Tierra
      • Seal Point
      • Taqueria La Mexicana
      • Wavecrest Open Space
    • Santa Clara County >
      • Byxbee Park
      • Calero County Park
      • Uvas Canyon County Park
    • Santa Cruz County >
      • Byrne-Milliron Forest
      • Greyhound Rock County Park
      • Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
      • Jaliscos Restaurant
      • Mount Madonna County Park
      • Roaring Camp Railroads
    • Solano County >
      • Lagoon Valley Park
      • Peña Adobe Regional Park
    • Sonoma County >
      • Doran Regional Park
      • Fishetarian
      • Helen Putnam Regional Park
    • Tuolumne County >
      • Donnell Vista
      • Tuttletown Recreation Area
    • Yuba County >
      • Ellis Lake
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        • Papago Park
      • New Mexico >
        • Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
        • White Sands National Monument
      • Oregon >
        • Multnomah Falls
      • Washington >
        • Olympic National Park >
          • Kalaloch Beach
          • Madison Falls
          • Quinault Rainforest
        • Rattlesnake Ridge
    • Restaurants >
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        • Fire Island Grill
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        • Rose Pho
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  • Archived Hikes 1
    • Archived Hikes 2 >
      • Archives 2016-2018

Planning Your Trip

When choosing an adventure, it's important to consider:
  • your physical condition
  • your dog's physical condition
  • the length of the hike/walk
  • the level of intensity
  • the weather conditions
  • the trail conditions

I recommend bringing:
  • More water than you think you need (plus a bowl for your dog)
  • Snacks for you and your dog just in case your hike is longer than anticipated 
  • Waste bags (keep the trails beautiful/pack out everything you bring in)
  • A solar light in case you get stuck in the dark
  • Sunscreen to reapply
  • Bear spray (if hiking in an area prone to predators)
  • A first aid kit
  • A paper map 
(some of my favorite products above are linked in the "Dog Gear" section
​

If you're unfamiliar with a park, read the trail descriptions, as I've included specific, helpful information for each. Most hikes can be shortened via alternate routes, or you can always turn back if you or your dog gets tired. Know you and your dog's limits, and don't risk heatstroke or exhaustion. Bring plenty of water, and don't attempt a strenuous hike in direct sunlight during the peak of summer. Unfortunately, dogs die every year on trails like Mission Peak. Hot trails can also burn your dog's paws, so test the ground with your own hand, and if it's painful, it's too hot to hike. I've included plenty of shady trails and easy walks so you can still get your exercise in the morning on a hot day.

We have hiked every single one of these parks listed on my website, but trail conditions change throughout the year. I try to hike as many trails as possible and provide trail updates on Twitter if I see something unsafe, but it's impossible for us to regularly hike every single trail listed on my site and provide updates. Trails can erode during storms and structures can disintegrate. Grazing cattle or goats can appear on some trails throughout the year and water sources can become contaminated with algae. Throughout the year trails can become overgrown with foxtails or poison oak that wasn't present during the last time we hiked. Poison oak is part of the natural habitat and is a native plant, so it is commonly found on trails. Throughout the year it can become overgrown in certain areas. Luckily Bailey and I have not had any issues with poison oak, but some people are more allergic than others. To help avoid exposure to poison oak I recommend keeping dogs on leash on narrow single track trails with dense vegetation. If you are concerned about poison oak, it might be wise to call the park a day or two ahead and get an update on the poison oak situation. Always keep your dog visible, train your dog to stay on the designated trail and under voice control. Be alert, look ahead on the trail for anything unsafe and use common sense.

I recommend parking in actual parking lots when possible, as car break-ins are common when parking alongside the road. Never leave any items visible in your car to tempt a thief. Always tell someone your route before heading out, and don't rely on your cellphone because many of these hikes are in areas with poor reception. Taking a screenshot of a trail map can save you from getting lost if you don't have a paper copy. I recommend carrying bear spray if you're hiking in remote areas known to have bears or mountain lions. In order to prevent encounters with these animals, it's important to make noise on the trail so that you don't startle one. Make sure that your dog is always visible and under voice control, as it's easy for a curious dog to wander into a coyote den, find a snake, or start a cattle stampede. Also, carry a high-energy snack, a light and a first aid kit, just in case.

But most importantly - have fun!
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  • Home
  • Browse All
    • Alameda County >
      • Albany Bulb
      • Alameda Creek Regional Trail
      • Anthony Chabot Regional Park (Lake Chabot)
      • Aquatic Park
      • Chabot Park
      • Barlago Italian Kitchen
      • Buchanan Dog Beach
      • California Canoe & Kayak (Oakland)
      • César Chávez Park
      • Claremont Canyon
      • Coyote Hills Regional Park
      • Crab Cove
      • Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area
      • Dimond Canyon Park
      • Don Castro Regional Recreation Area
      • Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge
      • Dublin Hills Regional Park
      • Fairmont Ridge
      • Five Canyons Open Space Preserve
      • Fremont Central Park
      • Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park
      • Greenbelt Trails
      • Hayward Regional Shoreline
      • Heron Bay Trail
      • Holy Land Restaurant
      • Ikaros Greek Restaurant
      • Jerusalem Organic Kitchen
      • Joaquin Miller Park
      • Lake Anza
      • Lake Chabot
      • Lake Merritt
      • Leona Canyon Regional Open Space Preserve
      • Leona Heights Park
      • Marina Park
      • Martin Canyon Creek Trail
      • Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline
      • Mission Peak
      • Montclair Railroad Trail/ Torii Gate
      • Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
      • Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline
      • Park Street Classic Car Show (Annual)
      • Pleasanton Ridge Regional Preserve
      • Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
      • Robert's Park
      • Room 389
      • Shoreline Park
      • Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
      • Skyline Gate Staging Area
      • Strawberry Canyon Fire Trail
      • Sunol Regional Wilderness
      • Temescal Regional Recreation Area
      • Tilden Regional Park
      • Upper Anthony Chabot Regional Park (Oakland Entrance)
      • Upper Knowland Park
      • Vargas Plateau Regional Park
    • Butte County >
      • Feather Falls
      • Motel 6 - Oroville
      • Riverbend Park
    • Contra Costa County >
      • Acalanes Ridge Open Space
      • Briones Regional Park
      • Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline
      • Crockett Hills Regional Park
      • Diablo Foothills Regional Park
      • EBMUD Trails
      • Fernandez Ranch
      • Frowning Ridge
      • Geppetto's Caffe
      • Hacienda de las Flores Park
      • Hillside Nature Area
      • Howe Homestead Park
      • Indian Rock
      • Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area
      • Lafayette Community Park
      • Lafayette Reservoir
      • Las Trampas Regional Wilderness
      • Lime Ridge Open Space
      • Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline
      • Moraga Commons Park
      • Mulholland Ridge Open Space Preserve
      • Point Isabel
      • Point Molate Beach Park
      • Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
      • Point San Pablo Harbor
      • Rubio's
      • San Quentin Beach
      • Shell Ridge Open Space
      • Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve
      • Sugarloaf Open Space
      • Sycamore Valley Open Space Preserve
      • Tender Greens
      • Tilden Regional Park
      • Wildcat Canyon Regional Park
    • El Dorado County >
      • Angora Lakes Trail
      • Bijou Community Park
      • Cascade Falls
      • Horsetail Falls
      • Inspriation Point
      • Motel 6 - South Lake Tahoe
      • Mt. Tallac
    • Marin County >
      • 101 Surf Sports
      • Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve
      • Blackie's Pasture
      • Camino Alto Preserve
      • Carson Falls
      • Cascade Falls
      • Cataract Falls
      • Dawn Falls
      • Ignacio Valley Preserve (Fairway Falls)
      • Indian Valley Open Space Preserve
      • King Mountain Open Space Preserve
      • Marin Headlands (Coastal Trail)
      • Old Saint Hilary's Open Space Preserve
      • Phoenix Lake
      • Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve
      • Roy's Redwoods
      • Sam's Anchor Cafe
      • Tiburon Peninsula Historical Trail
      • Tucker Trail Falls
    • Mariposa County >
      • Happy Burger Diner
      • Yosemite National Park
    • Mendocino County >
      • Catch-a-Canoe
      • MacKerricher State Park
      • Mendocino Headlands State Park
      • Navarro River Redwoods State Park
      • Princess Seafood
      • Skunk Train
      • The Stanford Inn By The Sea
      • Van Damme State Beach
    • Mono County >
      • Bodie State Historic Park
      • Jolly Kone
      • Lundy Canyon
      • Mono Lake (Tufa State National Reserve)
      • Virginia Creek Settlement
    • Monterey County >
      • 17-Mile Drive
      • Asilomar State Beach
      • Bistro Beaujolais
      • Carmel Beach
      • Fishwife
      • Fort Ord Dunes State Park
      • Garland Ranch Regional Park
      • Jack's Peak
      • Monterey Bay Coastal Trail
      • Monterey Bay Kayaks
      • Monterey Municipal Beach
      • Motel 6 - Downtown Monterey
      • Ryan Ranch Disc Golf Course
      • Ventana Wilderness
    • Nevada County >
      • Fairy Falls
    • Placer County >
      • Hidden Falls
    • San Francisco County >
      • 2.2 Mile Urban Hike
      • Bernal Heights Park
      • The Brixton
      • Billy Goat Hill Park
      • Blackwood
      • Clipper Cove Beach
      • Crissy Field
      • Dynamo Donut + Coffee
      • Fort Funston
      • Fort Mason
      • Glen Canyon Park
      • Golden Gate Park
      • Grand View Park
      • The Great Lawn/ Avenue of the Palms
      • Java Beach Cafe
      • John McLaren Park
      • Interior Greenbelt
      • Lake Merced
      • Lands End
      • Letterman Digital Arts Center
      • Marina Green
      • Mount Davidson
      • Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve
      • Ocean Beach
      • Palace of Fine Arts
      • Philz Coffee Truck
      • Stern Grove
      • Sutro Baths
      • Sutro Heights Park
      • TreasureFest
    • San Mateo County >
      • 7 Mile House Sports Bar & Grill
      • Barbara's Fishtrap
      • Bedwell Bayfront Park
      • Bob's Vegetable Stand and Pumpkin Farm
      • Cafe Pacifica
      • Devil's Slide Coastal Trail
      • Esplanade Beach
      • Flying Fish Grill
      • Half Moon Bay Kayak Co.
      • McNee Ranch State Park (Montara Mountain)
      • Montara State Beach
      • Mori Point
      • Mussel Rock Park
      • Panera Bread
      • Pedro Point Headlands
      • Poplar Beach
      • Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
      • Rancho Corral de Tierra
      • Seal Point
      • Taqueria La Mexicana
      • Wavecrest Open Space
    • Santa Clara County >
      • Byxbee Park
      • Calero County Park
      • Uvas Canyon County Park
    • Santa Cruz County >
      • Byrne-Milliron Forest
      • Greyhound Rock County Park
      • Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
      • Jaliscos Restaurant
      • Mount Madonna County Park
      • Roaring Camp Railroads
    • Solano County >
      • Lagoon Valley Park
      • Peña Adobe Regional Park
    • Sonoma County >
      • Doran Regional Park
      • Fishetarian
      • Helen Putnam Regional Park
    • Tuolumne County >
      • Donnell Vista
      • Tuttletown Recreation Area
    • Yuba County >
      • Ellis Lake
  • Map View
  • Vacation Spots
    • Vacation Hikes >
      • Arizona >
        • Papago Park
      • New Mexico >
        • Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
        • White Sands National Monument
      • Oregon >
        • Multnomah Falls
      • Washington >
        • Olympic National Park >
          • Kalaloch Beach
          • Madison Falls
          • Quinault Rainforest
        • Rattlesnake Ridge
    • Restaurants >
      • Southern California >
        • Fire Island Grill
        • Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
        • Perkies Coffee Haus
      • Washington >
        • Rose Pho
  • Planning Your Trip
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Dog Gear
  • Archived Hikes 1
    • Archived Hikes 2 >
      • Archives 2016-2018