Why Mid-Peninsula is Perfect for Dog Lovers

Whether it’s walking trails, off-leash parks, bountiful beaches, or dog-friendly restaurants and shops, dog owners want to experience life alongside their furry companion outside their home.

These factors are part of what makes the Mid-Peninsula perfect for dog lovers. Mid-Peninsula has a variety of great dog parks, and there’s a wide range of green spaces near Burlingame where dogs can play and socialize off-leash. Given the casual luxury of the area’s neighborhoods and retailers, many businesses realize the importance of letting customers bring their dogs with them to dine, shop, or relax. Additionally, Mid-Peninsula real estate provides convenient access to several well-rated veterinarians, so dog owners can rest assured their pet will get the best care when necessary.

Plus, when it’s time to get out of the San Francisco Bay Area, Mid-Peninsula provides excellent access to the Pacific coast, wine country, and the Sierra Nevada—as well as many public lands where dogs can roam.

Located directly south of San Francisco, luxury housing remains popular and competitive in the Mid-Peninsula, which includes the northern parts of Silicon Valley. Among the cities in Mid-Peninsula are San Bruno, San Mateo, San Carlos, Redwood City, and Burlingame. Some locals even consider Palo Alto and Mountain View to be Mid-Peninsula. If you’re considering investing in San Mateo, Burlingame, or Hillsborough condos, you should always check to make sure dogs are welcome in a building before scheduling a tour with your Mid-Peninsula realtor.

Dog parks

There’s a great selection of convenient, well-appointed dog parks in the Mid-Peninsula. Naturally, you’ll probably end up frequenting the one closest to your neighborhood, but over time, you should pay a visit to all the different parks in the area with your pup. If you’re a new owner of Burlingame real estate, a tour of dog parks will give you and your dog a chance to make new friends.

Burlingame Dog Exercise Park: While your dog runs around and plays at Burlingame Dog Exercise Park, you can soak in the view of San Francisco Bay. Located off Highway 101, Burlingame Dog Exercise Park welcomes all breeds of dogs and has separate areas for large and small dogs.
Heather Dog Exercise Park: If you own San Carlos real estate, you have a perfect local park to take your dogs for a fun bit of exercise. Heather Dog Exercise Park has 1½ acres of open space where pets can run off-leash. The park is not completely fenced, so owners need to keep an eye on their dogs at all times.

Dog trails

Bigger adventures with your dog await in the many wonderful preserves and open spaces in the hills and mountains between Mid-Peninsula communities and the Pacific Ocean. Among them are Windy Hill Preserve, Foothills Open Space Preserve, St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve, and La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve.

Dog beaches

There are some spectacular dog beaches in the Bay Area, including a handful near Mid-Peninsula. Others are a bit further of a drive from Mid-Peninsula—but your pup will be grateful for the adventure.

Fort Funston: Fort Funston is on the Pacific Ocean, southeast of San Francisco, and is generally considered one of the best dog beaches in the Bay Area. Dogs are allowed off-leash across most of Fort Funston, which is a former harbor defense installation, and now a protected area within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It takes some work getting to the beach (as you have to navigate a long, steep, and sandy descent), but once you get there, there’s plenty of room for your dog to play. Beyond the great atmosphere for dogs, the scenery is gorgeous.
Pacifica State Beach: Pacifica State Beach is a Mid-Peninsula beach where dogs are allowed on leash. People who have recently purchased houses for sale in Burlingame will be pleasantly surprised by this crescent-shaped beach, which stretches three-quarters of a mile at the mouth of the San Pedro Valley in downtown Pacifica (off State Route 1). Pacifica State Beach attracts both families with dogs and surfers.
Pacifica Esplanade Beach: This is the only beach in Pacifica where dogs are allowed off-leash. Just be sure to keep an eye on your dog and bring disposable bags for tidying up afterward.

Dog beach safety tips

There are a handful of tips to keep your pup safe at the beach. Above all else, keep an eye on your dog at all times, and ensure they don’t drink salt water (which will severely dehydrate them). Bring along a portable water dish and plenty of water to keep your pup hydrated, which will decrease the temptation to drink seawater during hard-charging playtime at the beach. To avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion, avoid bringing your dog to the beach during the hottest part of the day, and stay close when they’re near the surf.

If your dog likes to swim, be wary of the currents and tides alongshore. For smaller dogs or dogs that haven’t been around the water before, consider strapping them in a doggie life jacket for safety (and a great photo op).

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