Fun

5 Ways To Make Your Pup Feel Like A Superstar in Los Angeles

Written by: Dr. Katy Nelson

April 5, 2016

Headed to Los Angeles with your dog? Well, we’ve got you covered on the local spots that are dog-friendly, trendy, and popular among local dog owners. From restaurants and cafes, to dog beaches and hikes in the hills, LA has a lot to offer you and your pup. Here are a few local spots to check out and some fun things to do around LA that are sure to make you and your dog’s day.

1. Go for a Hike
There’s no shortage of great hiking trails in LA to explore with your dog. And with an average year-round temperature of 72 degrees,  it’s hard to find an excuse for not being outside!

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Griffith Park Observatory and Trails Cafe
This trail is perfectly perched on the slope of Mount Hollywood and is a well-known Los Angeles landmark. You can hike up to the Griffith Observatory at the top and admire the view of downtown, then on the way back down grab a snack at the Trails Cafe. The hike itself is a breezy 2.1 mile round trip and offers great views of LA!
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Runyon Canyon
Runyon Canyon is very dog-friendly with 90 of 160 acres allowing dogs. Look out for celebrities, they are known to hike here since it’s so close to residential areas of Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills!

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2. Grab a bite to eat at these dog-friendly restaurants and cafes.
Nice weather year-round means there are lots of outdoor patio spaces at restaurants and cafes in this city! Some places will even bring a personal water bowl out for your dog while you eat.

Malibu Farm Cafe

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Blu Jam Cafe
Blu Jam Cafe is a locals favorite cafe. You might be hard-pressed to find a seat at peak hours but, the food and outdoor dining space make it worth the wait! They have several locations, with the one on Melrose being the most popular.

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Urth Cafe
This healthy cafe has lots of outdoor patio space where dogs can join you while you dine. There are several locations, with the Melrose Ave being especially popular. Make sure to request a table outside in the shade and bring water for your dog on warm days!

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3. Spend some time at the beach
Taking your dog out on beaches in LA can be a bit of a dance due to a lot of areas prohibiting them on-leash. But, the beaches that do allow dogs are great and even host dog surfing competitions!

Santa Monica Beach and Pier
Santa Monica is a great place if you’re looking to have fun with your dog. You can walk along the pier and watch the surfers below, or play on the massive adult playground (aka a great obstacle course for your dog!). You can even bike along the boardwalk on a beach cruiser to give yourself and your dog some exercise in the sun.
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Huntington Dog Beach
Huntington Dog Beach is one of the best dog beaches in California, and a sweet spot if you’re looking for a (very!) puptastic beach-going experience. There’s always plenty of dogs for your dog to run and play with here while you stroll along the beach. It’s warm, sandy, and home to the annual Surf City Surf Dog event where dogs compete in a surfing contest!

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Rosie’s Dog Beach
This dog beach is one of the only off-leash dog beaches in LA and is a favorite spot among local dog owners. The beach is named after Rosie, the bull dog who inspired her owner to push city officials into creating a dog beach area. Here you’ll find dogs swimming, surfing, and having fun on puppy playdates.

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4. Check some great dog parks.
The dog parks in LA vary in quality neighborhood to neighborhood. Some are eclectic, some are spacious, and others are just a simple dog run. Local dog owners have repeatedly voted these dog parks the best Los Angeles has to offer.

Lake Hollywood Dog Park
With expansive space for your pup to run, Lake Hollywood Dog park is a favorite among locals and tourists. The park itself sits above Lake Hollywood and has a great view of the Hollywood sign in the hills. If you’re looking to snag a good photo of your pup with the iconic Hollywood sign, this is the place to go!

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Laurel Canyon Park
Located in the hills off Mulholland, this park is voted LA’s best for taking your dog and it’s easy to understand why. Not only is there an abundance of space for your dog to run and play, but there are separate areas for large and small dogs – not to mention all the Hollywood-people watching you could ask for! Dogs are allowed off-leash from 6am-10am, and 3pm-dusk, but it’s not strictly enforced.

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5. Pose for a fun photo op.

Angel Wings
Located on the wall of the St. Regis Wine & Liquor store, 8401 West 3rd Street (at S Orlando Avenue), Beverly Grove, this graffiti is a popular spot to have your photo taken with brightly colored angel wings. Bring your dog!
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The lamp post installation outside of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
A popular Instagram spot, this art installation called “urban light” outside the LACMA would be perfect for an creative pup photo.
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The Hollywood Sign
Perhaps the most iconic of all the spots in LA, the Hollywood sign is always a sure bet to take a great photo of your dog in front of – but you have to know the right places to go to get a good view. One of the best places is to take a hike in Griffith Park.
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There’s no shortage of places to go and things to do with your dog in LA. It’s very dog-friendly and chances are you’ll find places to be very accommodating while you’re visiting the City of Angels with your pup! 

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Written by: Dr. Katy Nelson

April 5, 2016

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