SF: Best Neighborhoods for Dogs

We’ve had a few posts on Refin regarding choosing homes and neighborhoods that best suit children. But a lot of us, especially those of us in SF, don’t have kids (witness this SFgate article  which reminds us we are “In a city known for having more dogs than children, and more off-leash dog parks than anywhere else in the Bay Area”). Instead, we have dogs.

As a renter, I don’t really get to make the distinction of which neighborhoods best serve my little beast. I have to take any apartment that will take him. Luckily, this time the stars aligned and we landed in the Inner-Sunset, perhaps one of the best ‘hoods for dogs ever, with close proximity to the Golden Gate Park, Claremont Heights, the beach, Fort Funston, Glen Park (which of course means that Glen Park– the neighborhood– is also equally blessed), and two off leash dog parks.

Other good choices:

• Parkside. This “park” is not the Golden Gate, but Stern Grove, and Pine Lake Park, with acres of lawn and a real lake for those doggies who like a dip, is puppy paradise.

• The Outer Sunset: Though there is arguably less for humans to do out there, you’re even closer to the beach, Fort Funston, and the dog park at 38th Ave and Funston Street (very popular with dog walkers). The same areas serve northwestern Daly City as well, so a home in that area would be equally amenable to the canine set.

• Outer Richmond: Enjoy Ford Miley and the amazing trail that takes you to Lands End (dogs love both!), beach access, and the Presidio. The same areas serve puppy fans in the Inner-Richmond too, with the advantage of a lot of great restaurants and bars to restore yourself post-walk.

• The Marina: Between the Marina Green and Crissie Field alone, you’ve got miles of running space and a flat ocean for safe wading.

These areas are my stomping grounds; Buckley and I know them well. We’ve tried the Duboce Triangle once but the proximity to busy streets made us nervous. We know that lots of doggies live in Noe, the Castro and Mission, even SOMA and downtown, but we aren’t sure where they go to do important work like squirrel herding and the burying of pine cones (we’d love some comments from readers in the know).

Meanwhile, here’s a resource for urban hounds, aptly named Urban Hounds, with a list of dog parks in the city. I found this site with the help of SFSchtuff blogger Jackson Robertson (aka “Jack Schtuff) whose blog “Man’s Best Friend” includes more info on taking care of your four legged child in the city, and was the inspiration for this blog you’re reading now.

Photo: Yep- that’s my Buckley.