Best San Francisco Neighborhoods for a Dog Owner
When you think of dog-friendly communities, San Francisco should be one of the first names to pop into your mind. Many of the neighborhoods here are dog-friendly and make the ideal neighborhoods to raise, train, and play with your dogs. You don’t have to worry about people switching sides of the road when they see you walking down the street, complaining if your dog does bark a little bit too much, or judging you for having more than one dog.
We judged the different neighborhoods in San Francisco on their dog-friendliness by looking at park space, dog-friendly stores, dog-friendly eateries, and other dogs nearby. Here are our picks for where to live in San Francisco if you want a dog friendly community:
NoPa
Our first choice is a space for someone who wants a dog friendly neighborhood in San Francisco but still wants to be a little bit further away from the hustle and bustle. The North Panhandle neighborhood is calmer but still a great dog hangout because of the open space options you have for walks. You can find a dog park and play area in the Alamo Square. There are also plenty of options for dog walkers, groomers, and daycares. Finally, you will see some older, retired show dogs that are extremely well behaved.
Noe Valley
It feels like almost everyone you see in Noe Valley has at least one dog – if not several. It is a great community filled with different kinds of people, young families, and spirited older people who want to stop and talk to you (and pet your dog). There are two dog parks, a few different stores that cater exclusively to pets or dogs, and a few great places to get your dog groomed. There is even a place where you can do the grooming, but leave the mess for someone else to worry about. If you have a big dog, Noe Valley is a particularly great choice.
Bernal Heights
Probably one of the most dog friendly neighborhood in San Francisco, Bernal Heights is a dog lovers dream. It has many different shops and cafes that are dog friendly as well as shops that are exclusively for dogs. Some cafes will even have doggie menus! For those who really don’t want to be apart from their dogs for long, the local gym even allows you to take your dog there. The community itself also has plenty of trails for walking and off-leash areas and parks. Many of the dogs here are extremely well behaved, so you do want to make sure your dog is well-trained before letting him or her off the leash.
Parkside
If your dog likes open spaces to run and play, Parkside is going to be your best choice. There are also many great opportunities to walk your dog. However, the reason his makes the list is because of the Fort Funston Dog Walker Organization that will work with you to help train your dog, find you great places to walk, and has relationships with many places in the community. If you are a new dog owner, or are thinking about getting a dog when you more to San Francisco, you’d be in good company here.
Inner Sunset
Finally, Golden Gate State Park is another great neighborhood, especially if you have a dog with special medical needs or an older dog. It is near some of the best vets in San Francisco. There are plenty of amazing choices for dog walking parks and shops as well. Many people here have all different kinds of dogs, including ones that you may not have ever see in person before – it’s pretty neat!
When you have a dog, that dog becomes part of your family. If you are moving your dog to San Francisco with you, you have to find communities that are dog friendly and will give him amenities to make his (and your) transition easier.