A Guide to Dog Parks in Santa Monica
August 3, 2017 3:18 PM
by
We know dogs are an indispensable source of companionship and friendship for many people, and Santa Monica offers its residents four enclosed parks for off-leash fun and exercise with Fido, (who must be properly licensed by the City of Santa Monica). Rules of use are posted at each park entrance and non-compliance can result in a citation and fine, so take care to review them before taking your pups in for playtime with their pals. (Non-residents may purchase permit tags for the Airport Park site; see the “Dog Park FAQs” box with this story.)
Herb Katz Dog Park at Joslyn Park (633 Kensington Road) offers 1.25 acres, with separate areas for large and small dogs. Maximum capacity: 45 dogs
Airport Park Dog Park (3201 Airport Avenue) has separate areas for large and small dogs. Maximum capacity: 45 dogs.
Pacific Street Dog Park (at Pacific and Main) is a “traditional” dog park. Maximum capacity: 20 dogs.
These three parks are open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. (Note dog park maintenance closures, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Airport Park—Monday and Wednesday; Joslyn Park—Tuesday and Thursday; Pacific Street Park—Wednesday.)
Memorial Park Dog Run (1401 Olympic Boulevard) is open every day from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. It’s located north of the tennis courts on the west side of the park. Maximum capacity: 10 dogs. (Closed for maintenance Thursdays, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.)
And a reminder for pet parents and caregivers: although you’re bringing your dog(s) to an off-leash area, he or she must be leashed when traveling to and from these sites, with a leash six feet or less in fixed length.
Dog Park FAQs
I’m visiting Santa Monica for a while. How can I get a permit to use a dog park?
An annual non-resident permit to use Airport Park’s off-leash area is available from the Santa Monica Animal Shelter, so long as you can provide a current, local address and copies of receipts to verify your dog has a valid license and rabies vaccination from your hometown. Our permit fee is currently $20.01. Other requirements and more info on how to obtain the permit are at smgov.net/dogs.
I’m a dog walker—can I bring my canine clients to the dog park?
Each park has a maximum number of dogs allowed at one time (noted at left); each person may bring no more than four dogs at one time.
Do I have to clean up after my dog?
Yes, you are required to visibly carry clean-up materials and use them to pick up after your dog. Can we have a “puppy picnic” in the park? Sorry, neither dog nor human food may be brought into the off-leash areas.
