San Francisco is one of the more dog-friendly cities in the country, and many of its neighborhoods offer ideal environments for dogs and their owners.
I’m a dog owner myself, and frequently meet clients looking for a home in a neighborhood that will provide what we all need for us and our pets—ideally, proximity to open space, dog-friendly cafes and shops, and a community of dog owners who support each other and their ‘hood.
So here are my picks for the best dog-owner neighborhoods in San Francisco:
1. Bernal Heights. It’s got a great retail area on Cortland Avenue, with plenty of shops and cafes, including Bernal Beast pet shop. But most notably, Fit Bernal Fit opened in November 2009—a gym that invites “Bernal locals and their dogs to join us to exercise, socialize and engage in a more healthful, energetic and stress-free lifestyle.” If that’s not enough, there’s Bernal Hill itself, which has trails and off-leash areas, as well as Holly Park. The weather is superior in Bernal, so when you head out for a walk in the late afternoon, don’t expect to encounter much fog.
2. Inner Sunset. The weather may not be as desirable, but the Inner Sunset has Golden Gate Park at its doorstep. Yes, you have to keep your dog on a leash, but at least there’s a lot for your dog to smell and see. (My terriers love the gopher holes.) There’s also the Irving Street corridor, which is a great place to stop for coffee or lunch. Le Video—one of the few bonafide video stores left in the city—also lets you bring in your dog. For pet care, there’s All Animals Emergency on 9th Avenue, and Irving Pet Hospital at 15th Avenue.
3. Noe Valley. Ok, so I’m a bit biased on this one because I live here. But if there are two requirements for living in Noe, it’s that you need a dog or a kid. I’ve picked a leash over a stroller, and have plenty of company. There are two dog runs—one on 30th Street, and one up the hill at 27th and Diamond. There’s the Noe Valley Pet Company ladies at Church and Cesar Chavez, and 24th Street is the place to go if you’re in search of a dog water bowl outside a store. Le Zinc on 24th and Castro lets you bring your dog into its rear outdoor patio through a back entrance. And don’t overlook the Friends of Upper Noe Dog Owners Group, which makes sure the 30th Street dog run stays in shape.
4. Parkside. Though the Parkside doesn’t have the concentrated retail areas of the aforementioned neighborhoods, it’s near some pretty vital open spaces. There’s Stern Grove, an excellent dog-walking area. But the canine epicenter lies over at Fort Funston, a short drive away. The area even has its own Fort Funston Dog Walker (FFDW) organization that works to preserve off-leash areas and good dog ownership practices. The Parkside is also blocks away from Ocean Beach and the Great Highway, which are great places to bring your dog. The streets in the Parkside are nice and wide, so there’s plenty of sidewalk room, too.
5. NoPa. The North Panhandle neighborhood suits dog owners well, as the architecture allows for spacious flats. It’s a little more low-key than the busier Haight area, which can be stimulation overload for dogs if you decide to troll along Haight Street itself. The Panhandle is a good dog destination, as it’s a sizeable open space for walks. Nearby Alamo Square is a dog party in its own right (though you have to contend with the tourists gawking at the Painted Ladies). And check out the Dog Owners of Alamo Square and Great NoPa Yahoo group list for local resources, as well as the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association for more general resources. There are a lot of great shops and restaurants scattered throughout NoPa to which you can walk your dog, particularly along Divisadero. Don’t forget about two key shops: Osso & Co., the pet store on Broderick, where you can pick up specialty items as well as everyday pet products, and Cats & Dogs Pet Supply, a more mom-and-pop store/groomer on Divisadero.
6. Mission Bay. Far less established a neighborhood than the others, Mission Bay is your best bet if you want to live downtown and own a dog. The Mission Creek Dog Park is up and running, which also lets you meet the other pioneer Mission Bay dwellers and their pets. If you get bored with Mission Creek, you can simply walk your dog up and down the Embarcadero, which has wide streets and provides nice Bay views. Mission Bay’s park system is still developing, and I’m betting the neighborhood will build its own very organized dog community over time.
