Great Spots for Dog Lovers Around Berkeley
Where to Watch and Play With Dogs in Berkeley
When U.C. Berkeley placed leash restrictions on dogs on campus property it had an impact on the canine visitor population of Cal. For many students, a cute dog wandering onto the grass outside Brown's California Cafe during lunch or appearing out of nowhere after a stressful midterm or final was a welcome and therapeutic experience.
While that opportunity may be gone for now at Cal you can still get your dog watching (and playing) fix at these great spots around town.
Ohlone Doggy Park
Ohlone may very well be the only park with a dedicated dog space in Berkeley. While you’ll see plenty of dogs running about outside the gated section, you’ll find the biggest concentration of wagging tails in the dog park portion of Ohlone about halfway through the park. If you’re looking for big dogs this is the right place and if you’re looking for some tasty dog treats the nearby Trader Joe’s should have you covered.
Graduate Theological Union
The soft grass of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley attracts dogs and their owners from all over. The closest spot to U.C. Berkeley, the great sunset views of the Bay Area and generous amounts of space make the GTU a fantastic evening hangout for pets and their student owners.
Berkeley Fire Trails
The Berkeley Fire Trails are a local favorite for hikers, bikers, and runners. The trails are also awesome for dog walking too. Plenty of folks use the trails to let their dogs run about and it’s a smart choice for anyone looking to get their own workout in while their pet does as well.
Codornices Park
Codornices is a great park for people but it’s also a popular spot for dog owners as well. The large softball field on the South end of the park is great for animals and a reliable location for finding dogs to watch or for your dog to play with.
Cesar Chavez Park
Cesar Chavez is the closest thing you’ll get to the experience of the well-known Point Isabel in Richmond. Fresh air, water, and plenty of grassy fields and hills come together to make Cesar Chavez a wonderful place for dogs to roam free and enjoy themselves.
Holistic Hound
The Holistic Hound is Berkeley’s local pet store. It’s great for natural pet food and exciting dog toys, but it’s also it’s a fine spot to meet other dogs and participate in some fun and educational events. The Holistic Hound is in the heart of Berkeley’s dog-friendly Gourmet Ghetto which means even after you’re done mingling with other owners and their pets you can walk around and meet plenty of other furry friends.
Places to Bark About
U.C. Berkeley may be lacking dogs but this list sure isn’t. Now you have what you need the next time you (or your best friend) need to get your puppy fix.
Remember, you can always find this list and many other useful community curated guides on the Gojurn app (available on iOS and Android). Find a place you think deserves a mention? Let us know here.