San Jose is more than just a dog-friendly city. It's the perfect place to live or vacation with your dog. With tons of dog parks and off-leash areas… You and your pup will never get bored!
California is known for having an outdoor, active, adventurous culture. With beautiful weather and landscapes—who would want to stay inside? And the best part about being active outdoors is that you can bring your furry best friend with you! There are more than enough dog parks and off-leash areas in San Jose that you and your dog will love. We're excited to showcase the best dog parks of San Jose and tell you what makes them so special.
Wanting some dog-friendly activities but not really into being super active? Check out our article about the best dog-friendly restaurants, bars, and breweries in San Jose, CA. You can have fun in the sun with your pooch without having to exert too much energy.
Wish you could take your pup for long walks every day, but don't have the time? Even if you cannot exercise with your dog, we can help you find someone who is! Click here to find the best dog walkers and pet sitters in San Jose. There are tons of great local pet care options right near you.
But if you are ready for some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise… Let's get onto the list!
The 11 Best Dog parks, Off-Leash Areas, and Dog-Friendly Hikes in San Jose, CA:
- Almaden Community Center
- Almaden Lake Park
- Butcher Dog Park
- Cataldi Park
- Del Monte Park
- Discovery Dog Park
- Hellyer County Park
- Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park
- Miyuki Dog Park
- Saratoga Creek Dog Park
- Watson Dog Park
Almaden Community Center — 6445 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA 95120
Almaden Community Center is located within Parma Park. This park is an expansive 4.5 acres with a children's playground, restrooms, and grassy space for dogs to roam around on a leash. There's plenty of parking and free WiFi. And inside the community center, you can find a library, gym, dance studio, and computer lab. Plus, they provide a preschool, arts and crafts activities, youth summer camps, and so much more! This place is for everyone in the community.
Almaden Lake Park — 6099 Winfield Blvd, San Jose, CA 95120
This beautiful dog-friendly park features the well-known Almaden Lake. There are tons of picnic areas, walking paths around the lake, and plenty of parking and restrooms. There are a couple of places on the walking path that connect to other local trails like Almaden Light Rail & Guadalupe River Trail and Los Alamitos/Calero Creek Trail. The parking fee is $6 for the whole day, or you can purchase a yearly pass for $80. Dogs are allowed on-leash on the east side of the park. But dogs are not permitted on the west side of the park—this is a protected wildlife sanctuary. Additional amenities and activities include fishing, basketball, bocce ball, volleyball, horseshoes, and three children's playgrounds.
Butcher Dog Park — 1782 Lancaster Dr, San Jose, CA 95124
Butcher Dog Park—named after Roy M. Butcher—is a fully fenced-in, off-leash dog park with benches and restrooms for the humans, plus shade trees, mulch, astroturf, and a separate small dog section for the canines. There's plenty of space to run and have fun at this park with your dog and your kids! The playground area is well-maintained and even has a dog theme. And if you check out their Facebook page, you and your pug can join the "pug meetup group."
Cataldi Park — Cataldi Drive & Morril Avenue, San Jose, CA 95132
Cataldi Park is known for its spacious off-leash area where dogs can run freely. The park also features walking trails and picnic areas, making it a great spot for a family outing. The park is well-maintained and has plenty of shaded areas for hot days. It’s a popular spot among local dog owners for its friendly atmosphere and ample space.
Del Monte Park — 806 W Home St, San Jose, CA 95126
This downtown San Jose park is dog-friendly with restrooms, waste stations, water stations, and turf grass for the pups. It is clean and well-maintained. It has separate sections for small and large dogs. This park also provides children's playgrounds, plenty of parking, and Table Tennis—a.k.a. Ping Pong. But you have to bring your own equipment for that. The dog park area has plenty of bench-seating as well, so you can watch your dog make new friends and run around all day.
Discovery Dog Park — 410 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95110
Discovery Dog Park is another downtown San Jose off-leash dog park. It is fully fenced in and has lots of large shade trees. It is a smaller dog park, but this park does provide water fountains for your pup to stay hydrated and cool. There are tables, benches, mulch ground covering, and a dog walking path. This park is simple but an excellent space for your puppy to run around and blow off some steam.
Hellyer County Park — 985 Hellyer Ave, San Jose, CA 95111
Hellyer County Park offers a 2-acre off-leash dog park for dogs to run and play. The dog park is located on the northeast end of Hellyer County Park. There are two separate fenced-in areas for small and large dogs. And you'll find plenty of benches, shade trees, and parking. Waste stations and water stations are also provided, and there is both gravel and grass ground covering. The park is free to use, but there is a vehicle entrance fee. And the sweetest thing about this park is their doggy memorial. There is a plaque honoring the dogs who have previously been in our lives, and their dog tags hang from the memorial post.
Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park — Golden Oak Way & McAbee Rd San Jose, CA 95120
Jeffrey Fontana Dog Park is a fenced-in off-leash park with separate sections for small and large dogs. Water stations and bench-seating are provided, and there are walking trails through the woods surrounding the park. You and your pup can go for a stroll on-leash, or they can play in the fenced-in space off-leash. Jeffrey Fontana Park also offers children's playgrounds, street parking, and an exercise area.
Miyuki Dog Park — Miyuki Drive & Autotech Way, San Jose, CA 95119
Miyuki Dog Park is a fully fenced-in off-leash dog park with a double-gated entrance. And this park was the first official dog park to be built in San Jose, CA. There are benches and waste stations, but make sure to bring your own water. The ground covering is both dirt and grass. Miyuki Dog Park is a smaller park, and there is only one section, so large and small dogs will play together. But this small, simple park is all that a dog and their pet parents really need.
Saratoga Creek Dog Park — 5399 Graves Ave, San Jose, CA 95129
Saratoga Creek Dog Park is a large and popular dog park in San Jose. The ground covering is a combination of dirt and astroturf spaces. It is a fully fenced-in dog park, but there is no separate section for small dogs. There are water fountains and some seating provided, plus lots of shade trees. There are also trash cans, but make sure to bring your own waste bags.
Watson Dog Park — Jackson Street & 22nd Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Watson Park offers a dog park within it that is fully fenced in, and dogs are allowed to be off-leash. There are picnic tables, restrooms, and plenty of parking. The dog park has lots of green grass, plus shade trees that surround it. There are separate sections for small and large dogs. And Watson Park also has BBQ grills, children's playgrounds, basketball, and soccer. It will definitely be a fun time for the whole family!
San Jose is a beautiful place to be an active dog!
Although there are more dog parks and off-leash areas in San Jose, this list comprises our personal favorites and the favorites of all the reviews we've found from the locals. If you're ready to explore the dog parks of San Jose, CA—let this list be your guide. No matter which dog park you choose, you and your pup are in for a fun summer adventure together!
