If you’re searching for the best dog parks in Santa Monica, California, you’ve come to the right place. Santa Monica is undoubtedly one of the most pet-friendly cities in the United States. From dog-friendly beaches to many places to play, shop, and eat, this city has many great places to visit with your dog.
Dog parks are one of the most visited areas in this great city. If you are looking for a spacious and secure place where your dog can run, play, and exercise freely, you should visit one of the best dog parks in Santa Monica, California. You can take pictures with your dog, hike dog-friendly trails, and go off-leash at a dog park.
Dog parks are also great places to exercise your dogs in various fun and engaging ways. Some parks also have amenities to keep you and your dog engaged for hours. Without further ado, here are some of the best dog parks in Santa Monica to visit with your dog.
Before you scroll down this list of dog parks in Santa Monica, California, you can check out these other dog-related articles from our team at We Love Doodles: Is Santa Monica Beach Dog-Friendly and Best Dog Parks in Los Angeles, California.
Find Dog Parks Near Me in Santa Monica, California
Our team at We Love Doodles created and compiled this list of the best dog parks in Santa Monica for you to check out.
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1. Pacific Street Dog Park
Pacific Street Dog Park is a traditional Pacific & Main Street park. It is one of the most visited dog parks in the city, thanks to its open play areas and amenities. The park is spacious and can accommodate as many dogs and pet owners as possible. We highly recommend Pacific Street Dog Park if you are looking for the perfect place for you and your dog to exercise, get some fresh air, and socialize.
This one-acre park has plenty of space for your dog to run around and play. It is open to dogs of all breeds and sizes, except puppies below four months of age. All dogs in the park are expected to be up-to-date on vaccinations and cleared to be with other dogs. Your dog will meet and socialize with other dogs in the park, which will leave your dog happy at the end of the day.
In addition to having plenty of space for your dog to run and play, the park offers plenty of drinking water to ensure your dog remains hydrated while playing and running around. The park has a fenced-off area specifically designated for playtime.
Your dog will remain safe and can play off-leash in the park. Small and shy dogs also have a dedicated place where they can play safely without being intimidated by large dogs. You can access the park every day of the week. The park is open from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM Monday to Friday and 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM Saturday to Sunday.
It is closed for maintenance on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. You can get free poop bags to clean your dog’s mess in the park. They strategically positioned waste stations throughout the park to ensure wastes are disposed of properly. However, we recommend following the basics you need, including food, back up water, treats, and more.
Pacific Street Dog Park Details
- Address: 2190 Main Street, Santa Monica, California 90405
- Website: Pacific Street Dog Park
2. Memorial Park Dog Run
If you are looking for a comfortable and serene environment where you can hang out with your dog without spending a dime, Memorial Park Dog Run is the perfect option. Located north of the tennis courts on the west side of the park, this dog run is well-gated to ensure your dog remains within sight while playing and running.
You can also take your dog for early morning walks or runs in this park, as it opens as early as 6 AM. Neighbors always use the park to run and exercise their dogs in the morning. The park’s operating hours also favor those who are only free to take their dogs out in the evening, as it remains open until 8:30 PM.
This small, fenced dog run is open to dogs of all breeds and sizes. Dogs are welcome to play and run off-leash in this part of the park. However, all pet owners need a Santa Monica temporary permit or license to bring their dogs to the park. All dogs must also be up-to-date on shots before using the park: this is for the safety of other dogs in the park.
While it is not among the largest dog parks in the state, it is perfect for stretching your dog’s legs. The park also has shades and a few seats where pet owners sit, relax, and watch their dogs play. To ensure the park is always clean, safe, and healthy for you and your dog, the management closes it for maintenance on Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 AM.
So you can visit in the afternoon and stay until the regular closing time. This community park also has many amenities pet owners can enjoy, such as tennis courts, baseball fields, and a skate park. They have a small parking lot for those driving to the park.
You can also park outside, but do not forget to feed some coins into the meters on the street. Due to its size, the park does not have separate sections for small and large dogs. Hence, you must watch over your dog to ensure they are intimidated by large dogs. All owners must also come with poop bags and scooping equipment to clean up any mess their dogs make.
Memorial Park Dog Run Details
- Address: 1401 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
- Website: Memorial Park Dog Run
3. Airport Park Dog Park
Airport Park Dog Park is one of the largest dog parks in California. If you have a large breed and want him to explore and run without being limited by space, Airport Park Dog Park is the perfect place to visit. Known for its serene and spacious playgrounds, this dog park is suitable for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages.
However, puppies below four months are not allowed in the park. The park is open to locals and tourists looking for a place to exercise and play with their dogs. However, non-residents might need a temporary permit to use the park with their dogs. Due to its heavy use, the park is closed for maintenance on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Afterward, the park is open and functional until the closing hour. Besides the maintenance days, the park is open from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM and from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. They regularly maintain and clean the park to ensure it is safe and healthy for its users. Airport Park Dog Park is a place to meet happy and friendly pet owners from various parts of the city.
Your dog will also meet and socialize with other dogs, which makes dogs happy. The park has separate play areas for big and small dogs. If you have small or shy dogs, they can safely play off-leash in the small dog play section. The park has one water station to keep your dog hydrated while playing and having fun.
However, one water station is usually insufficient when it is at capacity. To avoid delays in such a situation, we recommend going with your water bottle and other necessary supplies you would need. The park is safe to visit even on hot summer days because it has shady spots where you can hide from direct sunlight.
There are also comfortable seats where you can relax with other pet owners while the dogs play and socialize with each other. This dog park is located on Airport Avenue and has ample parking for those driving down. The car park is safe and secure, so you have nothing to worry about. The dog park is also fenced-in, so your dog will always remain within sight and never leave the premises.
Airport Park Dog Park Details
- Address: 3201 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA, 90405
- Website: Airport Park Dog Park
4. Herb Katz Dog Park at Joslyn Park
Herb Katz Dog Park at Joslyn Park is a 1.25-acre dog park with a lot of space for your dog to run, play, roam, and rump. It is one of the largest fenced-in dog parks in the city. Dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages are welcome in this park. The park hosts hundreds of visits weekly, as it is the city’s favorite getaway spot for many pet owners.
This fenced-in area provides your dog with a safe place to run off-leash. All dogs are required to be vaccinated and licensed before using the park. Before entering, you need to show proof of licensing and place the gags on your dog’s collars. In addition, all dogs that are not in the designated dog area must be on a leash.
A large tree in the dog park area provides lots of shade for pet owners and their dogs to relax. It is mandatory to clean up after your dog poop, so poop bags should be in the supplies you will bring along. There are waste stations in the park for your convenience. This park has many terrains that include dirt, gravel, and cement. It is also spacious enough to play fetch and other games with your dog.
Herb Katz Dog Park at Joslyn Park Details
- Address: 633 Kensington Road, Santa Monica, California 90405
- Website: Herb Katz Dog Park at Joslyn Park
Conclusion For The “Best Dog Parks in Santa Monica, California”
Taking your dog out for a walk, playtime, or jogging in the park is one of the best ways to exercise and bond with them. Choosing the right park is also important, as you want to ensure your dog is safe, comfortable, and happy while playing and exercising. You can visit any of the parks listed here, as they are open to locals, visitors, and dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages (except puppies below 4 months).
For more guides similar to this list of best dog parks in Santa Monica, California, you can check out these other dog-related recommendations from our team:
Before you bring your dog to a dog park in Santa Monica, you can see what the settings are like by watching “Happy Dogs Play At Dog Park Compilation” down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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