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A dog friendly Los Angeles guide

TrustedHousesitters blog writer Lydia Paladina
Lydia Paladina
23 December 20247 min read
a pet parent and large white dog on a bench facing a view of downtown LA

There are so many dog friendly things to do in Los Angeles​! The City of Angels’ residents adore their pup pals, so it makes sense to scope out all the best pet friendly activities in this vivacious city. So, here’s our guide to exploring the dog friendly Los Angeles life.

Best dog parks in Los Angeles

Rosie’s Dog Beach

In the Long Beach neighborhood exists a pup paradise: 90 acres of off-leash beach and hiking trails all with doggos in mind. Being LA, beaches count as parks, and this is one of the best places to spend time with your pooch pal while you enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Location: 5000 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803, United States

Leo Carrillo State Beach & Park

Just outside of Malibu, this is one of the most beautiful dog friendly spots in the area. You can bring your dog here during the day in specified areas, the campground, and North Beach (north of Lifeguard Tower 3). The dramatic views and expanse of off leash dog-designated zones make for a paw-some day out.

Location: California 90265, United States

Laurel Canyon Dog Park

Nestled in the infamous Mulholland Drive, the Laurel Canyon Dog Park is one of the best spacious off-leash areas for doggos to socialize and play. Open from 6:30 am every morning, it’s a safe place for pups and their carers to come to kick back and have a dog day out.

Location: 8260 Mulholland Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States

Dog-friendly restaurants in Los Angeles

The Morrison

Despite being a Scottish-themed pub in Los Feliz, The Morrison is a great place to try out some good old-fashioned American cuisine with your pup in tow. Alongside a dog patio, this gastropub gives out a bowl of water and a biscuit for free to all their doggy clientele. Now that’s service, pet people!

Location: 3179 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039, United States

Eveleigh

Even the glamorous West Hollywood has an upmarket restaurant with pup privileges! Their dog patio also provides faux grass for safe playtime and toilet time. While your pooch busies themselves, you can enjoy upscale food and cocktails in the beautiful setting of the Eveleigh venue.

Location: 8752 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, United States

Fun dog-friendly activities in Los Angeles

Yappy Hour Events

While this type of Happy Hour isn’t about discounted drinks, many LA venues have a designated hour during the week for dogs and their carers to hang out and socialize. Many places don’t charge an extra cost for these events, they do ask that you purchase something from the venue, which is fair enough!

Cost: Free

Date and time: Venue dependent

Location: Various

Outdoor Movie Nights

Check local listings for dog-friendly outdoor film screenings where you can bring a blanket and enjoy a night under the stars with your furry friend.

Cost: Venue dependent ($10 - $20)

Date and time: Weekends throughout the year

Location: Various

Best dog-friendly walking trails in Los Angeles

Griffin Park

As well as being one of the best viewpoints in all of LA, Griffin Park has over 70km of various off-leash trails for you and your dog to explore. Whether you simply want to pitch up next to the famous Griffith Observatory which overlooks the whole city, or if you want to spend the day hiking with your pup pal, Griffin Park has something to offer for all energy levels.

Location: Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

Length: 70km of total trails

Runyon Canyon Park

Although this is a simplified short trail, it still has some of the best viewpoints in LA alongside a huge off leash dog park. Runyon Canyon Park is also a great place to sign–up for a variety of different workout sessions, all of which dogs are welcome to attend too!

Location: 2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States

Length: 5km

The best dog-friendly cafes in Los Angeles

The Waffle

Just off Sunset Boulevard lies the creators of the ‘Woofle’ - that’s right, waffles for dogs. Not only are they known for making fantastic human food and coffees, but they also have a whole section dedicated to doggo dining as well as a dog patio.

Location: 6255 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States

Alcove Cafe & Bakery

For a more upmarket cafe experience, Los Feliz hosts a fabulously Fido-friendly eatery in a relaxing and stylish space, all of which welcome dogs! If you’re looking for a more relaxed morning or afternoon out with your pup, you can enjoy their vast selection of tasty treats in the gorgeous gardens and patio.

Location: 1929 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States

Annual dog events in Los Angeles

WLAOTC Canine Carnival

Organized by the West Los Angeles Obedience Training Club, this June event offers agility demonstrations, training tips, and fun courses for dogs. It also includes raffles, lunch, and opportunities to socialize with fellow dog lovers.

Cost: Free entry (but bring a donation, they’re a non-profit)

Date: June

Location: 2551 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064, United States

South Coast Botanic Garden’s Dogtoberfest

Taking place on weekends in October, this event expands the garden's dog-walking hours and includes an Oktoberfest-style pub crawl for humans, complete with beer samples. Activities for dogs include a 'dance pawty,' obstacle course, and marketplace.

Cost: $15 for non-members, $5 per dog

Date: Every October weekend

Location:26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, United States

The best dog-friendly bars in Los Angeles

The Blue Dog Beer Tavern

If you’re looking for outdoor space and craft beer, this is the place to hang out with your dog. Pups are considered as many patrons as the people, so you can both enjoy their tasty rustic food with a gastropub twist.

Location: 4524 Saugus Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, United States

The Lincoln

This is one of the many places in LA known for its Yappy Hours, but also ‘Dog Dedicated Afternoon’ events where pups are given toys and treats while their humans enjoy a cocktail. The Lincoln definitely has more of a ‘bar’ than ‘pub’ feel to it, if you’re seeking something a little more sophisticated.

Location: 2536 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, United States

Dog-friendly wineries in Los Angeles

San Antonio Winery

In the heart of LA lies the oldest winery in the region: San Antonio Winery. With over 100 years of history, you and your pup are welcome to tour their beautiful buildings and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. Just a heads up, pups can’t come into the tasting rooms, but they’re welcome on their patios.

Location: 737 Lamar St, Los Angeles, CA 90031, United States

Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio

Ever heard of beach-side winetasting? Only in LA! Just outside of the city is the delightful beachfront wine bar where pups are welcome to sit back and relax with you. With gorgeous ocean views, it’s a great place to ‘get away from it all’ for a few hours.

Location: 18741 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, United States

Tips on dog-friendly things to do in Los Angeles from dog owners and pet sitters

Who better to tell us about pet parent or dog sitter life in LA than our very own members? Here are some pearls of wisdom from our paw-some Community Forum and Los Angeles connoisseurs:

“Los Angeles where I actually grew up is fun, yet extremely spread out and transportation is a bit of a pain. They have a network, yet with traffic, a cross-town bus ride can take over an hour. Beach areas Ike Santa Monica or Venice would be great places to explore though and I’ve seen sits for those areas.” - @Catgoddess_99

In places like Los Angeles, you’ll definitely need a car. Do your research and don't be afraid to get too lost. People are very friendly.” - @AliG

Tips for pet parents

  • Follow leash rules: While many places in LA are pro-pup, some outdoor areas have restrictions around your dog being off-leash. Always double-check before heading out anywhere.
  • Call ahead: Even if a place seems dog-friendly, call first to avoid disappointment.
  • Beware of dogs overheating: The combination of intense sun and humidity can make LA feel like an oven, and if you’re feeling it your pup definitely will be. Make sure to keep them hydrated throughout the day, offer them frequent cool shade breaks when possible, and be aware of overly hot sidewalks.

Can’t take your dog with you on vacation? Connect with loving, in-home dog sitters who’ll keep your furry family member safe and happy at home while you’re away. Follow the link below to learn more about finding a verified dog sitter.

How to connect with pet sitters in Los Angeles

How it works

Tips for pet sitters

  • Ask about your pup pal’s favorite spots: This can be a great way to settle your dog sitting pup into their routine without their pet parents. Introducing them to a new area can be too overwhelming for some dogs, so stick to what they know at first.
  • Tips on local hidden gems: Pet parents will mostly likely be experts in their local area, so don’t forget to ask them where they love to go that’s also dog friendly.

Find out more about pet sitting in Los Angeles by following the link below.

How to find house sits in Los Angeles

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