Berkeley is a college town in Northern California that is home to University of California at Berkeley, as well as just over 117,000 residents. This progressive city was the location of the Free Speech Movement of 1964 and 1965.
People in Berkeley love dogs and it’s generally a dog-friendly city. While college students might not own dogs, the permanent residents of Berkeley do. As a dog-friendly town, Berkeley and the surrounding areas offer multiple off-leash spaces for pups to play.
The 7 Off-Leash Dog Parks Near Berkeley, CA
1. Cesar Chavez Park
| ️ Address: | 11 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley, CA 94710 |
| Open Times: | 6am–10pm daily |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Dogs must be under voice command at all times
- 17 acres of space
- Great views
- On-leash walking trails
- Digging is prohibited
2. Ohlone Park
| ️ Address: | 1800 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703 |
| Open Times: | 8am–8pm weekdays, 9am–8pm weekends |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes (at Hearst and Grant) |
- One of the first dog parks in the nation
- Renovated in 2016
- Lots of shade trees
- Water available
- Separate large and small dog spaces
3. Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve
| ️ Address: | Claremont Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705 |
| Open Times: | 5am–10pm daily |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Some areas require dogs to be leashed
- Dogs must be under verbal control when off leash
- 208-acre nature preserve
- Multiple hiking trails
- No fenced areas
4. Tilden Regional Park
| ️ Address: | 2501 Grizzly Peak Blvd, Orinda, CA 94563 |
| Open Times: | 5am–10pm daily |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- Some areas require dogs to be leashed
- Dogs must be under verbal control when off leash
- Multiple hiking trails
- No fenced areas
- Watch for wildlife
5. Blair Park
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYVKHu7JOV3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
| ️ Address: | 930 Moraga Ave, Piedmont, CA 94618 |
| Open Times: | 6am–9pm daily |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- No fenced spaces
- Dogs must be under verbal control at all times
- Off-leash permit must be acquired from the city of Piedmont
- Keep dogs away from the road
- Not safe for dogs without exceptional recall
6. Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
| ️ Address: | 2701 Isabel St, Richmond, CA 94804 |
| Open Times: | 5am–10pm daily |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- 23 acres of space
- Dogs must be under voice control at all times
- Leashes required for dogs with poor recall
- No fenced spaces
- Multiple activities in the park
7. Sugarloaf Open Space
| ️ Address: | 2161 Youngs Valley Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 |
| Open Times: | 6am–8pm daily |
| Cost: | Free |
| Off-Leash: | Yes |
- 2,000 acres of open space
- No fenced spaces
- Multiple activities within the space
- Dogs must be under verbal control
- Well-marked trails for hiking
Conclusion
Berkeley and the surrounding areas are speckled with natural spaces for you to spend time with your dog. Make sure you check out the leash rules before you go somewhere with your dog, though. Some off-leash areas are located within parks that only allow off-leash dogs in certain spaces. Dog parks can be a great way to get your dog off of their leash and get exercise, especially if you live in one of the more urban parts of Berkeley.
Featured Image Credit: Jon Osumi, Shutterstock
