Blessed with a temperate climate and breathtaking natural beauty, Southern California is a great place to own a dog. Unfortunately for pet owners, many of the parks in the Los Angeles area have strict policies pertaining to dogs. Many, but thankfully not all. If you’re a Canoga Park resident looking for great places to go hiking with your dog, here’s a list of legitimate and legitimately pet-friendly hiking trails that promise fun, excitement, and exercise for dog and pet owner alike.
Westridge Trail
A 3.5-mile-long, well-maintained trail with a generous off-leash policy for well-behaved dogs in the presence of their owners, makes the Westridge Trail a highly appealing hike for most pet owners. You’d be hard-pressed to find a natural setting as impressive and pet-friendly any closer to your Canoga Park apartment than this one. If you and your dog have yet to visit the Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park, pencil in a day date with your pooch at this jewel of a pet-friendly green space ASAP.
Upper Canyonback Ridge Trail
Similar in length and terrain to Westridge, the nearby Upper Canyonback Ridge Trail has the same off-leash dog policy. (If you watch Modern Family, you may recognize the trail from a second season family outing. Chances are you’ll find it even more stunning in person.) A gently undulating, three-mile loop, the Canyonback Trail offers a retreat from urban chaos, a serene natural environment, and stunning views of the City of Angels. The trailhead, three miles west of the 405 and right off Mulholland Drive, is a mere half hour from AMLI Warner Center’s Canoga Park apartment rentals.
Eaton Canyon
Pasadena’s Eaton Canyon Natural Area is a haven for puppies and grown dogs of all breeds. A moderate, three-mile trek will take you and your active four-legged companion to Eaton Canyon Falls and back. If you’ve got a dog of the teacup size or variety, the nature preserve is home to several shorter, easier trails you’ll likely find more suitable. Eaton Canyon is an easy 15-minute drive from the Glendale apartments at AMLI Lex on Orange.
Trebek Open Space
Named after cultural icon and benefactor Alex Trebek, Trebek Open Space is home to 62 acres of lush, protected land in the southern Hollywood Hills. The most comprehensive trail here is three miles long out-and-back, but the park has a handful of half-mile options as well. The Trebek Open Space offers a similar environment to the generally busier Runyon Canyon Park.
Seascape Trail
At just over an hour’s drive, the beautiful Seascape Trail is further from your Canoga Park apartments than any of the other trails featured in this post. But we had to include a good, waterfront option (this is California, after all). Perched above the water on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Seascape Trail is easy and fairly level, making it family-friendly as well as pet-friendly. The 1.5-mile hike that juts out from the Terrace Trail Access Point offers excellent ocean views every step of the way.
There are plenty of wonderful hiking trails you can tackle with your dog in the L.A. area, even if you have to drive a little coming from Canoga Park. Live Life + Love Life by packing a picnic for you and your pet and spending the day hiking, playing fetch, and lounging under the Southern California sun. Take advantage because there aren’t many other places in the country where hiking with your dog is so easy and comfortable this time of year.
Do you know of a nearby pet-friendly hike not included on this list? Recommend it to other readers by leaving a comment below.
Like what you just read? Why not subscribe to the AMLI Blog so you don’t miss another post?
View All Posts by Jason Ernst