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We’re dog lovers. For many of us at POST, a trip to our open spaces isn’t the same without our furry friends. But knowing where you can or can’t take your dog can be challenging, so we’ve made this helpful guide.
Below you’ll find 12 featured hikes, brought to you by our staff’s opinionated four-legged friends. They’ve all spent a lot of time on our trails and know these open spaces better than we do!
Please respect preserve rules and other guests by keeping these tips in mind! Dig in and find your next dog-friendly hike.
Wondering why dogs aren’t allowed on certain trails? It’s a complex issue, but you can learn more here.
Pillar Point Bluff
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 1.4 miles round-trip
- Elevation Change
- 100 feet
- Hiking Time
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
The Jean Lauer Trail at Pillar Point Bluff County Park is named in memory of a former POST staffer. It’s an easy, ADA-accessible walk, and it’s a great spot to see the world-famous big-wave surf break Mavericks. If you’re leaving your dog at home, stop by the nearby Fitzgerald Marine Reserve for some tide pooling!
“So much good sniffing on this trail. A cornucopia of coastal scents mixed with a surprising variety of K-9 flavors. Like, whoa.”
-Bentley
Pulgas Ridge
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 1.5 miles round-trip
- Elevation Change
- 300 feet
- Hiking Time
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
In the center of this preserve is a large off-leash dog area and this trail takes you right to it. This is a great spot if your pooch needs to let loose and really burn some energy. Go, dog, go.
“Sometimes nature calls when you’re on the trail. But my person knows what’s up and always packs out waste.”
-Roxy
Wavecrest
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 1.5 miles
- Elevation Change
- Flat
- Hiking Time
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
With sweeping views of the Pacific, it’s no wonder this trail is a favorite for local dog walkers. The birding here is great too. In the winter, this is one of the most important nesting sites for raptors in the entire Bay Area, so bring your binoculars.
“I’m a local coastsider so let me tell you—this is one awesome spot. But let’s keep it that way by observing the rules of the trail and staying on leash.”
-Peppy
Windy Hill
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 7.5 miles round-trip
- Elevation Change
- 1400 feet
- Hiking Time
- 2-3 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Climb to the top of Windy Hill for a panoramic view of rolling hills stretching west to the Pacific Ocean. The site of POST’s first land protection project, this preserve is a favorite among many of our staff (and their dogs).
“Having grown up near this preserve, I know this trail like the back of my paw. I highly recommend it!”
-Tito
Pearson-Arastradero
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 3.7 miles
- Elevation Change
- 300 feet
- Hiking Time
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Close to Highway 280, access to this preserve is relatively easy, especially for residents of the Peninsula. On this hike, you’ll enjoy ancient oaks, abundant wildlife and sweeping vistas from the western hills to the Bay; it’s a great place for a sunset walk.
“Arastradero is my go-to when I need to burn some calories and clear my head. And I always hydrate at the trailhead’s built-in water bowl—no celebration for dehydration, right?”
-Aspen
Coal Creek
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 3 miles round-trip
- Elevation Change
- 700 feet
- Hiking Time
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
This hike has a little bit of everything: a winding trail through an oak forest, spectacular views and a small waterfall. It’s an ideal spot for a relatively short hike with just enough elevation to keep things interesting.
“The views on this hike are certainly something to howl about. I can even see my house in Menlo Park!”
-George
Fremont Older
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 2.6 miles round-trip
- Elevation Change
- 500 feet
- Hiking Time
- 3 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
A hike to the top of Maisie’s Peak is a must, especially for South Bay residents. Wind through a beautiful forest and rolling hills to the summit for panoramic views of the surrounding open spaces.
“I love rolling around when I’m out in nature and there are some great spots here for just that. Gets my coat just the way I like it.”
-Mango
Bean Hollow
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 1.6 miles round-trip
- Elevation Change
- 250 feet
- Hiking Time
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
This is a magical spot, especially for your K-9 friends. Both the beach and short trail along the coast are dog-friendly. The parking lot can get full on the weekend if the weather’s nice, so try to get there earlier in the day if you can.
“Dude, this is one totally rad spot. I like to hit the waves and feel the sand between my paws—need I say more?”
-Arlo
Sanborn
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 6 miles round-trip
- Elevation Change
- 600 feet
- Hiking Time
- 5-6 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Enjoy a section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, views of the South Bay and a beautiful mixed Douglas fir and redwood forest. Most of this hike is in the shade, making it a great choice in the warmer, summer months.
“I’m pretty furry, so I prefer to hike in the shade when I can, which is why this trail is one of my faves.”
-Trixie
Sierra Azul
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 14.1 miles round-trip
- Elevation Change
- 3300 feet
- Hiking Time
- 9-10 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
Escape into one of the Bay Area’s largest open space preserves. Just minutes off Highway 17, access to this trailhead is easy, especially for residents of the South Bay. On clear, bright days you’ll have great views of Mount Hamilton, too.
“I love the chaparral and gnarled live oaks of Sierra Azul. And coming from San Jose, we’re there in just a few wags of the tail.”
-Dingo
Almaden Quicksilver
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 3.9 miles
- Elevation Change
- 600 feet
- Hiking Time
- 3 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
All of the trails in this park are dog-friendly, so take your pick. This loop trail that starts at the Mockingbird Hill entrance is our favorite, taking us through the heart of the preserve and leading past the entrance of the San Cristobal Mine, a Gold Rush era mercury (”quicksilver“) mine.
“Dang, it gets mad-hot in the South Bay. So, be cool y’all, hook your friends up with some water when tongues start to hang.”
-Victor
Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch
- Location
- [hike.location]
- Length
- 4 miles
- Elevation Change
- 600 feet
- Hiking Time
- 1.5 hours
- Difficulty
- [hike.trail_type]
This trail weaves through golden hills sprinkled with towering valley oak. With spectacular views of the South Bay, this is a must-see piece of the iconic California landscape. Great for fall walks when the weather is cooler.
“At fourteen, I’ve reached a point in my long hiking career where I prefer to stick to my favorite go-to trails. And let me tell you, this is one of them.”
-Sitka
Keep It Classy
Here are a few guidelines for dog-friendly hiking:
- Limit yourself to three dogs per person.
- Keep your dogs out of streams and ponds to help protect wildlife.
- A six-foot leash is required for leashed areas — self-retracting leashes are usually allowed with a maximum extended length of 25 feet.
- Keep your dogs from harassing wildlife or other visitors.
- Please remove dog waste by packing it out.
- Always ask before approaching dogs on the trail.
POST protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all.
The land in POST’s working area has been home to many distinct communities of Native people since time immemorial. We work to conserve and care for these lands — the ancestral territory of at least four contemporary Indigenous communities: the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, Muwekma Ohlone, Ramaytush Ohlone and Tamien Nation. These groups have survived centuries of oppression and displacement, and are the past, present and future caretakers of this land.
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