Berkeley has always been a city that does things its own way — and that independent, welcoming spirit extends to dogs. This is a city where you’ll find off-leash hiking in regional parks just minutes from downtown, dog-welcoming patios at excellent restaurants, and a walkable urban energy that makes exploring with a pup genuinely fun rather than logistically fraught. As a day trip or overnight from San Francisco, or as a destination in its own right from the East Bay, Berkeley rewards visitors who come ready to wander.

We visited Berkeley in December as guests of Visit Berkeley and came away with a genuine appreciation for how much the city has to offer. Here’s everything you need to plan a dog-friendly Berkeley trip.

Dog-friendly Hotels in Berkeley

Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel

41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA 94705

The Claremont is the luxury anchor of Berkeley and the property we’d recommend for a dog-friendly overnight. This historic resort sits in the Berkeley Hills at the base of the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve, with sweeping views of the Bay Area and direct access to the trails above. The property is grand, gracious, and genuinely dog-welcoming — up to 2 pets of any size for $49 plus tax/dog/night. Pet beds and bowls are provided, and the hillside location means morning trail walks from the property are exceptional.

• Pet policy: Up to 2 pets, any size, $49/dog/night
• Website: fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley

Graduate by Hilton Berkeley

2600 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

Graduate Berkeley is centrally located steps from Telegraph Avenue and the UC Berkeley campus, with a Cal-themed aesthetic and a neighborhood pub on site. The location is unbeatable for walkability — you’re right in the middle of the action. We stayed here during our visit and up to two pets (dogs only) per room with a maximum weight of 75 lbs per pet are welcome for a pet fee of $75/pet. 

Worth noting: While the hotel is convenient, the Claremont is the stronger property for the overall dog-friendly experience and we’d recommend it as the preferred option.

Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Berkeley

Jupiter

2181 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704

A Berkeley institution and one of the best dog-friendly dining experiences in the city. Jupiter serves wood-fired pizzas and craft beers in a sprawling iconic outdoor beer garden patio that welcomes leashed dogs throughout. The energy is exactly what you’d expect from Berkeley — lively, local, and welcoming. A perfect spot for lunch on arrival or a casual dinner. This is some of our favorite pizza in the Bay Area. 

Gather

2200 Oxford St, Berkeley, CA 94704

Sustainably sourced California comfort food in a bright, welcoming atmosphere — one of the best restaurants in Berkeley regardless of category. Gather sources from local farms and the menu changes with the seasons. Dog-friendly outdoor patio for breakfast and brunch. 

The Cheeseboard Collective

1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709

A Berkeley institution that’s been operating as a worker-owned cooperative since 1971. The Cheeseboard is beloved for its rotating single-variety vegetarian pizza — made fresh daily with one topping combination that changes every day — and its extraordinary artisan cheese selection. The outdoor seating area and lines snaking down the sidewalk are part of the experience. Leashed dogs welcome outside. A must-stop for a quick lunch or a cheese selection to take on a picnic.

Eggy’s Diner

1500 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709

A cheerful, unpretentious breakfast spot serving hearty morning classics on the Gourmet Ghetto stretch of Shattuck. A local favorite with generous portions, spacious dog-friendly patio seating and a no-fuss energy that works perfectly for a post-hike Sunday morning. This was one of our favorite meals of our trip. 

Dog-friendly Activities in Berkeley

Stonewall Panoramic Trail — Golden Hour Hike

Access from Panoramic Hill, Berkeley

One of Berkeley’s best-kept secrets. The Stonewall Panoramic Trail climbs through the Berkeley Hills above the Claremont Hotel, offering panoramic views of the entire Bay Area — San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, Marin, and on clear days the Farallon Islands. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout. This trail earns its name: the views at the top stop you in your tracks. Time it for late afternoon and you’ll catch the golden hour light over the Bay at its absolute best. It’s a moderate climb of about 1.5 miles to the top — worth every step.

Tilden Regional Park

Central Park Drive, Berkeley, CA 94708

Tilden Regional Park is the crown jewel of the Berkeley Hills — over 2,000 acres of trails, meadows, a botanical garden, and sweeping Bay views. Dogs on leash are welcome on the vast majority of trails, and the park’s size means you can vary your route on every visit. The Wildcat Peak Trail is a standout — a 2.5-mile loop with excellent views and good forest cover. Tilden’s Little Farm also hosts a steam train ride through the redwoods on the weekends — leashed dogs are welcome on the train and the surrounding areas.

Indian Rock Park

950 Indian Rock Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707

A neighborhood gem that most visitors to Berkeley never find. Indian Rock Park is a collection of ancient volcanic outcroppings in a residential neighborhood with genuinely spectacular 360-degree views of the Bay Area. Leashed dogs are welcome, and the bouldering community that uses the rocks makes for interesting people-watching. 

Grizzly Peak at Sunset

Grizzly Peak Blvd, Berkeley, CA 94708

For a car-accessible sunset viewpoint that rivals anything in the Bay Area, drive up to Grizzly Peak Boulevard in the Berkeley Hills for a panoramic view of the entire Bay. Dogs are welcome on leash along the road and at the various pull-offs. This is a classic Berkeley local activity — park, walk to the overlook, and watch the light change over San Francisco Bay.

UC Berkeley Campus & Telegraph Avenue

The UC Berkeley campus is one of the most beautiful university campuses in America, and leashed dogs are welcome throughout the grounds. The Campanile (Sather Tower), Memorial Glade, and the paths through the central campus are all worth exploring. From the campus, walk south onto Telegraph Avenue — Berkeley’s famous counterculture corridor of bookshops, record stores, murals, and cafes. Moe’s Books, Amoeba Music, and Rasputin Music are all on the strip and some welcome well-behaved dogs inside — worth checking on the day of your visit.

The Elmwood District

A charming residential shopping district about a mile south of campus along College Avenue, the Elmwood has a neighborhood calm and quality that feels distinctly different from the Telegraph bustle. Boutiques, bookshops, bakeries, and cafes line the street and most outdoor seating areas welcome leashed dogs. This makes for a lovely afternoon stroll especially with a frozen hot chocolate from Casa de Chocolates. 

Albany Beach

Buchanan Street at the Bay, Albany, CA 94706

Technically in the City of Albany rather than Berkeley, Albany Beach is a short drive north and one of the best off-leash dog beaches in the East Bay. Part of the Eastshore State Park, the beach and surrounding open space allow dogs off-leash in designated areas, with broad views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, and the Bay. A genuinely wonderful spot that Berkeley dog owners treat as a neighborhood resource.

Getting to Berkeley

Berkeley is in the East Bay, approximately 30 minutes from San Francisco by car via the Bay Bridge (I-80 east), or about 30–45 minutes by BART from downtown SF to Downtown Berkeley station. Note that BART does not allow dogs except in carriers. Driving and parking in downtown Berkeley can be challenging on weekdays — consider BART if you’re dog-free or arriving by car if you’re bringing your pup.

Tips for Visiting Berkeley with Your Dog

The Berkeley Hills are the highlight. The combination of Tilden Park, the Stonewall Panoramic Trail, Indian Rock, and Grizzly Peak gives Berkeley some of the best accessible dog-friendly hiking in the Bay Area. Build your visit around the hills and you won’t be disappointed.

Gourmet Ghetto breakfast strategy. The stretch of Shattuck Avenue from Vine Street to Rose Street — informally known as the Gourmet Ghetto — is home to some of Berkeley’s best casual dining including Cheeseboard and Eggy’s. A Saturday morning walk along this strip with your dog is an ideal start to any Berkeley day.

Leash laws in parks: Most Berkeley parks and Tilden Regional Park require dogs on leash. Albany Beach has designated off-leash areas — stick to those. Check posted signage at each location before letting your dog run.

Weather: Berkeley is notably warmer and sunnier than San Francisco — the East Bay sits in a different microclimate and fog is less common. December through February can be cold and occasionally rainy; spring through fall is generally excellent.

FAQ

Is Berkeley dog-friendly? Berkeley is genuinely dog-friendly throughout — from the campus and Telegraph Avenue to Tilden Park and the Berkeley Hills. Off-leash options are available at Albany Beach and some areas within the regional parks.

Can I take BART to Berkeley with my dog? BART does not permit dogs unless they are in a carrier or crate that fits on your lap. A car is the most practical option for visiting Berkeley with a dog.

Where can dogs go off-leash near Berkeley? Albany Beach (just north of Berkeley) has designated off-leash areas. Ohlone Dog Park in Berkeley is a fully fenced off-leash dog park. Cesar Chavez Park at the Marina also has off-leash areas and sweeping Bay views.

What is the best time of year to visit Berkeley with a dog? April through October offers the best weather — warm, sunny, and perfect for hiking the Berkeley Hills. 

For more East Bay dog-friendly destinations, see our Dog-Friendly Weekend Getaways from the Bay Area and our Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Northern California.