Also known as the City of Angels or the Entertainment Capital of the World, Los Angeles is a large Southern California city that is the center of television and film industries. It is here you can see the Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, and Universal Studios. You can also get a map of the stars and go see where the famous people live.
Besides all that, Los Angeles is also a pup popular city due in large part to the many celebrities with their fur babies out on the town so often. With about four million residents, there are close to 1.3 million pups. Whether you want to go to the park, enjoy a meal, go hiking to see the Hollywood sign, do some shopping, or go see the Walk of Fame, you can do all that and more in LA.
In this handy travel guide, we listed some important laws and regulations for pup parents, a few of the 300+ pet-friendly vacation rentals, a handful of the 400 restaurants that allow dogs, and some awesome dog parks. We also have a list of doggie daycares, some safety tips and vets, the best time to visit, and the most dog-friendly neighborhoods. So, you have everything you need right here before you pack your bags.
Things dog parents need to know about Los Angeles
Because all cities, counties, and states have their own animal laws and regulations, it is important that you know them before going to Los Angeles. You can incur some huge fines for not obeying most of these laws. Here are some of the most important ones.
- First, your dog must be on a leash not to exceed six feet unless he is in an off-leash area. You can be fined up to $250 if you violate this law.
- Then, pups that are four months and over need to have a rabies shot, a license, and all of their required vaccinations. The license and rabies tags must be attached to your dog’s collar at all times.
- Dogs must not be transported in the back of a truck when traveling on the highway, street, or road. You also must not leave your fur puppy alone inside a vehicle at any time.
- You must also pick up after your pup any time, no matter where you are. Always bring doggie bags, and be sure to dispose of it in a proper container.
- Your canine companion is not allowed in any stores that make or distribute food. But, he can enter dog-friendly stores on a leash if the owner states it is legal. Some stores, like PetSmart and Petco are pup-friendly to off-leash dogs as well if your pooch is voice-controlled.
- Pets are allowed on public transport in LA if they are in a carrier on the pup parent’s lap. This includes the subway, light rail, and buses.
Dog friendly Hotels in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a large and popular tourist town, so they have thousands of vacation rentals. This includes over 350 dog-friendly rentals with 50 hotels, motels, and resorts. Some offer special incentives like doggie beds, bowls, and treats, as well as no pet fee at a few of them. Here are some of our favorites.
- The LINE Hotel LA is one of those with no pet fee, and they allow any size or breed. The front desk keeps a supply of dog treats for those pups that have been good, and you can also get a list of the best pet-friendly attractions, parks, bars, and restaurants.
- Le Merigot Santa Monica has its own dog park where your cuddly buddy can play every day off the leash. They also give your poochie his own plush bed and dog treats. And Rosie’s Dog Beach is just down the road, so you can take your pup to swim and play in the sand unleashed.
- Sonesta Los Angeles Airport is pup popular because of their PAWS (Pets Are Welcome at Sonesta) program. When you arrive, they give your pooch a special bed, dishes, a waterproof mat, and treats. You can even enjoy a meal with your fur baby at the Waypoint Kitchen & Bar or Costero Bistro.
For those pup parents who like to be close to nature, you and Fido can get a campsite in the woods, mountains, or on the beach. Hollywood RV Park in the woods has its own dog park, a pool, and even an art gallery and entertainment. If you want to stay on the beach, head to Dockweiler RV Park. It is one of the only beach RV parks in the area. And for a spot in the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park is only 25 miles west of downtown LA
Los Angeles Dog parks
Every dog park has its own amenities and fun features, from agility equipment to water features. Whether you are looking for an off-leash park with lots of acreage or something where your pooch can get some training, you will find all that and more in LA. Here are some of our favorites.
- Runyon Canyon Dog Park in Hollywood Hills has about 90 acres of off-leash space for you and your cuddly canine companion to explore and enjoy. With miles of trails, you will have no trouble getting a good workout with your pooch, and you will often see local celebrities who live nearby in the Hollywood Hills. Bring water and baggies.
- Fletcher Fetch Park is in eastern LA in Fletcher Park, where they offer three acres of fenced-in fun. There are separate areas for large and small dogs, and they each have some great agility equipment, including tunnels, jumps, and ramps.
- Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park in northwestern LA features three sections for small, medium, and large fur babies. All of them have really fun agility courses, including jumps, ramps, hoops, platforms, and tunnels. Split between seven acres, there is plenty of room for fetch or frisbee, too.
Dog Friendly Restaurants and Dining
Although you probably do not want to take your tail-wagging friend to eat with you for every meal, there are some times when it is nice to share a meal with your pup. And it is easy to find a place in LA because they have more than 400 dog-friendly eateries. You will not find a better place to take your pup than Tail O’ the Pup on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood. They serve 10 different styles of hotdogs and three kinds of burgers.
If you want to enjoy a brew or two, head to Idle Hour on Vineland Avenue, located in an LA historic monument. They love hosting pets on their patio and even serve food! If you want to know more about how beer is made, take Fido to Angel City Brewery on Alameda Street. Your pooch is welcome inside and out, so he can even take a tour with you.
For wine lovers, Propaganda Wine Bar on East 3rd Street in the Arts District allows dogs on their patio. You can enjoy a wine sampling or a glass of wine with cheese, charcuterie, or pizza. If you really need some caffeine, head to Alfred Coffee on Melrose Place. They have all sorts of beverages like espresso, lattes, bubble teas, and the Pink Drink made with strawberries, beetroot, and pomegranate.
Things to do in Los Angeles with a dog
Thinking of taking your pupster on a shopping spree? Or maybe you would rather take a tour of the local celebrity homes. Ghost tours are always fun, too. You can even take your pooch to the Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park! Do you want to go to the beach? The only official off-leash dog beach in LA is Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach. The four-acre stretch of sand is long and wide, with plenty of room to play.
Just a few minutes down the coast, Huntington Dog Beach is even larger, but dogs are only allowed from 21st Street to Seapoint Street. Some areas require a leash, but it is more for the safety of your pup than regulation. Dockweiler Beach is the closest, just a few minutes from downtown. But your pooch has to be on a leash at all times here.
Los Angeles has numerous pup popular events, too. From September to November, the Reiki Clinic hosts their annual People & Pets Event. And the Furbaby Lovefest at Gardena City Hall lawn takes place from 1 PM to 6 PM on October 1st. They have music, vendors, costume contests, and free nail clippings! Finally, the annual Haute Dog Howl Oween Parade at Olympic Plaza on October 29th.
Daycare and Boarding
If you need to go somewhere that fur babies are not allowed, don’t worry, there are lots of doggie daycare and boarding places in LA. Camp-Run-A-Mutt is a cage-free daycare with indoor and outdoor spaces with tunnels, ramps, bridges, and even a pond with a waterfall. The Kennel Club near LAX is a luxury hotel for pets with several outdoor dog parks and 24-hour service. Also, Doozydog! Club is a play environment and socialization play area with daycare, grooming, and boarding.
Dog Care and safety
You never know when your pup may need medical attention, so it is essential to know where you can take him if he needs help. Los Angeles is a big city and has over 100 animal hospitals and veterinarians, including the Echo Park Vet Hospital, with over 30 years of experience. Overland Vet Clinic takes care of anything from runny noses to emergency surgery and even pet med refills.
Because LA gets hot, you should always watch for heat stress (drooling, panting, and weakness) and never leave your pup alone in a car. Always have plenty of water and let him cool off in the shade often. Also, be careful of hot surfaces like the sand after a warm day. Make sure he takes breaks when the weather is warm, too.
You need to watch out for certain wildlife that can be dangerous as well, including snakes, coyotes, cougars, scorpions, and bears. Be aware of insects, too, like spiders, bees, and wasps. If your pet needs a medication refill, there are several Petco stores in Los Angeles, as well as a few PetSmart stores.
Best time to visit Los Angeles with your dog.
Los Angeles can be crazy during the summer when the tourists pack the beaches, restaurants, and other attractions. Even dog parks can be crowded at this time. And with a population of four million people, you can run into crowds any time of the year at certain places like beaches and dog parks.
- Shoulder Season: (March – May and September – November): You really cannot beat the weather in LA, no matter what time of year it is. It never really gets too hot or cold. But if you want the best times to visit with the least crowds, try one of the shoulder seasons. The low season is good, too, but not warm enough to swim.
- High Season (June – August): From June through August, the daytime is packed with sunshine and warmth, with highs in the mid-80s. The beaches and parks will be crowded, so try to pick the early morning or evening times when folks are busy elsewhere. It can be hot for your pup though, so bring lots of water and sunscreen.
- Low Season (December – February): Although it may be less crowded, there are still four million residents here, so you cannot expect isolation anywhere, even during the low season. Daytime temps are in the lower 70s, but nights can drop into the upper 40s.
Monthly highlights
- January: This is the perfect time to visit the dog parks in the afternoon when the sun is shining, and the temperature gets close to 70 degrees. At night, your pup (and you) will need a jacket or hoodie.
- February: Still a little chilly, outdoor activities are best done during the day. But you will not see as many tourists, so that is great for pups that have social anxiety.
- March: This is the beginning of shoulder season with warm days and mildly chilly nights. Take advantage of the awesome weather by visiting the botanical garden or the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- April: Now is a wonderful time to enjoy a hike up to the Hollywood Sign. Stop at Griffith Park to let your cuddly buddy play off the leash at their dog park.
- May: With daytime temps rising into the mid-70s, you and your pooch can enjoy the beach before the crowds start coming back in June.
- June: If you do not mind the crowds, you and your canine companion can head to Dockweiler Beach or Rosie’s Dog Beach for a swim.
- July: Another great month for swimming, the water should be nice and warm. Go early to beat the afternoon heat and crowds.
- August: The hottest month of the year in LA, August can get dangerously hot for dogs, especially brachycephalic dogs like Pugs, Chows, and Shih-Tzus. Enjoy some indoor activities during the day and hit the beach after dark.
- September: As the tourists go home, you and your pupster will be able to enjoy the beach again without too many people. But the afternoons can reach into the middle 80s, so watch for overheating.
- October: One of the best months in LA, the temps are wonderful and the trees are turning some pretty colors. Take your pup to the park or garden.
- November: You can go shopping, visit the dog parks, or take a hike as temps start cooling off nicely.
- December: If you go out at night to see the holiday lights, be sure to bundle up and put something warm on your pooch, too.
Los Angeles Neighborhoods
Los Angeles has some of the most renowned cities in the world. The most well-known is Hollywood, of course, where the stars live. Then, there is Beverly Hills, Venice, Santa Monica, Long Beach, and Encino.
- Hollywood: From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the Hollywood Sign, this neighborhood is large enough to have several sections, including Hollywood Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood Dell, and even Hollywoodland. There are several dog parks, including the West Hollywood Dog Park, William S. Hart Dog Park, and Wilshire La Brea Dog Park.
- Beverly Hills: Everyone has heard of Beverly Hills, and it is where many of the stars live. In western LA, just south and west of Hollywood, here you and your pup can visit the Beverly Hills Dog Park. But you will need to register first.
- Venice: To the west, along the coast, Venice is a popular beach hangout between Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey. Some of the beach here is dog-friendly, and there is also the Westminster Dog Park on Pacific Avenue.
- Santa Monica: Just north of Venice, Santa Monica is famous for its beach and pier. Although fur babies are not allowed on the beach, he can join you on the pier. You can also take your fur pup to the off-leash Herb Katz Dog Park at Joslyn Park.
- Long Beach: South of downtown, also along the ocean, Long Beach is home of the famous Rosie’s Dog Beach as well as the Seaside Dog Zone, Bixby Dog Park, and K-9 Corner Dog Park. You can even take your pooch on a whale-watching boat tour.
- Del Rey: Home of the Glen Alla Dog Park and Bluff Creek Dog Park, your pup will have his pick of places to play off his leash. There are also several dog-friendly parks along the harbor and Ballona Creek.
With more than 100 different neighborhoods and communities, it is impossible to list them all, but these are the ones with the most pup popular places to enjoy with your pooch. Just do not forget to pack lots of doggie bags to pick up poop and water for you both to drink.
The Final Woof
Besides the dog parks, beaches, hiking spots, and other fun activities in LA, you can also take your best bud to the Vineland or Electric Dusk Drive-In to see a movie, get out on the water at Marina Del Rey Boat Rental, or shop and eat on the Third Street Promenade. In this guide, you will also find important pup parent rules and laws to follow, safety tips, dog daycare, and veterinarians. We even highlight the best (and worst) times to visit and the most pup popular neighborhoods.
