Due to pooch popularity, more and more Dog Parks are popping up across Orange County giving our four-legged furballs a chance to run, play & socialize sans leash.
Here is our look at what each of these Hound Havens has to offer, including turf, shade, restrooms and Marley's paw of approval.
Her favorite? Laguna Beach's Laguna Canyon Dog Park, because this expansive park gives her plenty of space to play ball (and its close to home!) But if you don't live nearby it might be worth the drive to visit this park.
Something we have found at almost all of these parks is friendly comraderie, between both dogs and their parents. Must be a testament to the joy dogs bring to our lives :)
The City of Brea is excited to announce the addition of this much anticipated community amenity. Located on Santa Fe Road, at the corner of Valencia Avenue, Wildcatters Dog Park consists of two separate areas, 1/3 of an acre is dedicated to small dogs, weighing less than 25 pounds and the other area, which is almost the size of a football field is for the large dogs, weighing over 25 pounds
Turf: Grass
Shade: Trees, benches
Small Park: Yes, separate park for dogs under 25 pounds
Additional amenities: Benches located under new and existing trees
Pedestal drinking fountains with attached dog bowls
Picnic tables
Double-entry gates
Dog waste cleanup stations (The City is not providing clean-up bags at this time)
Hours: Open daily 7am to dusk
Closed Thursdays from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. for maintenance, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Address & Phone:
3450 E. Santa Fe Road
(corner of Santa Fe Road and Valencia Ave) Brea, CA 92821
(714) 671-4437
Website:
www.ci.brea.ca.us
Bellis Park is a leash-free, fenced park located on a 1/2 acre section of George Bellis Park behind the tennis courts.
Turf: Grass
Shade: Trees
Restroom: Yes, Bellis Park (main)
Hours: Open daily 8am to dusk
Wednesdays: 10am to dusk
Address & Phone:
7171 8th Street
Buena Park, CA 90621
(714)536-5672
Website:
www.buenapark.com
Costa Mesa Bark Park is located on the corner of Arlington Drive & Newport Boulevard in TeWinkle Park.
Turf: Grass, dirt
Shade: Plenty of shady trees
Small Park: Yes - small, elderly & disabled dogs welcome
Restroom: Yes, permanent facility shared with the skate park
Two paws up: Large, open park with plenty of parking & lights
Two paws down: We have encountered aggressive dogs here in the past
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Closed Wednesdays for maintenance
Address & Phone:
890 Arlington Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 733-4101
Website:
www.costamesabarkpark.com
Dana Point's leash free Dog Fun Zones are found within the following parks where you pal can stretch his legs and play a little frisbee :)
Creekside Park
25743 Stonehill Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
Crystal Cove Park
25044 Via Elevado
Dana Point, CA 92629
Heritage Park
34400 Old Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
Sea Canyon Park
33093 Santiago Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
Sea Terrace Park
Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel Road
Dana Point, CA 92629
The Fullerton Pooch Park is located next to the Hunt Branch Library and behind Pacific Drive Elementary School.
Turf: Grass, Bark, Wood chips
Shade: Trees, umbrellas
Small Park: Yes with 3rd wood chip area open to all dogs
Restroom: In library
Two paws up: Large, open park with plenty of shade
Hours: 7:00am to 8:00pm
Closed Wednesdays
Address & Phone:
201 S Basque Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92833
(714) 738-6575
Website:
www.cityoffullerton.com
The Garden Grove Dog Park opened in February of 2009, located on Westminster & Deodara Street (go all the way down Deodara Street to the "Barking Lot")
Turf: Grass
Shade: Trees
Small Park: Yes, same size as large dog park
Restroom: Yes, nearby
Two Paws Up: A clean park with lots of grass, fire hydrants & water bowls
Two Paws Down: Not a large park, some mud puddles & scarce supply of doggie bags
Hours: 7 days a week, dawn to dusk
Address & Phone:
9301 Westminster Ave
Garden Grove, CA 92844
(714) 741-5200
Huntington Central Park includes a fenced leash-free park with sizeable areas for both small & large dogs with its own Doggy Walk of Fame :)
Turf: Wood chips
Shade: Trees, shelters
Small Park: Large separate park
Restroom: Yes, Central Park (main)
Two Paws Up: Large separate parks for small & large dogs, plenty of shade & chairs, located in beautiful Central Park, close to Park Bench Cafe (dog friendly restaurant with canine cuisine menu)
Two Paws Down: Wood chips rough on the paws
Hours: Weekdays, 9am to 5pm (Large Dog Park)
Weekdays, 9am to 7pm (Small Dog Park)
Weekends, 10am to 5pm (Large Dog Park)
Weekends, 10am to 7pm (Small Dog Park)
Large dogs in Small Dog Park 5pm to 7pm
Address & Phone:
HB Central Park
Edwards & Inlet. Streets
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714)536-5672
Website:
www.hbdogpark.com
Irvine's Central Bark features almost 3 acres of open field for off-leash play
Turf: Grass & dirt
Shade: Large umbrellas, shelters & trees
Small Park: Large separate fenced area
Restroom: Portable facilities
2 Paws Up: Lots of space & parking, handicap friendly
2 Paws Down: Marley couldn't find any :)
Hours: 6:30 am to 10pm daily
Closed: Wednesdays
Address & Phone:
6405 Oak Canyon
Irvine, CA 92618
(949)724-MUDD
Website:
www.cityofirvine.org
Ladera Ranch Wagsdale Park is an exclusive members only leash-free park
Turf: Grass
Shade: Covered benches
Small Park: Yes, separate fenced park
Restroom: Yes
2 Paws Up: Beautiful, spacious park
2 Paws Down: Exclusive to Ladera Ranch residents, not much shade
Hours: Dawn to 10pm
Closed Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm
Address & Phone:
Oneill Drive & Cecil Pasture Road
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Website:
www.facebook.com/Wagsdale-Dog-Park
The Laguna Beach Dog Park is over two acres of grassy expanse tucked between the hills of the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and the Aliso/Wood Canyons Regional Wilderness Park
Turf: Grass
Shade: Just a few trees
Small Park: Yes
Restroom: Portable facility
2 Paws Up: Huge grassy park, lots of space to run
2 Paws Down: Metered parking on busy Laguna Canyon Road
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Closed Wednesdays
Also closed during and after rain
Address & Phone:
20612 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 497-3552 or (949) 497-0706
Websites:
www.lagunabeachdogpark.com
Turf: Wood chips
Shade: 2 shelters, some trees
Small Park: No
Restroom: Yes
2 Paws Up: 1 acre park with plenty of parking, Marley enjoys the short winding trek to the park
2 Paws Down: Wood chips rough on the paws
Hours: Monday and Friday: noon - dusk
Tuesday - Thursday and Saturday: 7:00am - dusk
Sunday: 8:00am - dusk
Address & Phone:
31461 Golden Lantern (near Firestation #49 & Chapparosa Park)
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Website:
www.cityoflagunaniguel.org
Turf: Grass & dirt
Shade: Umbrellas, shelter
Small Park: Small area at the east end of the park that may be used exclusively by small dogs if there are larger dogs in the park.
Restroom: No
2 Paws Up: Laguna Woods has a place for dogs to stretch their legs, lots of shade
2 Paws Down: Smaller park on busy street
Hours:
7:00 a.m. - dusk daily
Address & Phone:
Ridge Route Drive
Laguna Woods, CA 92653
949-639-0500
Mission Viejo's La Paws Dog Park consists of 3 dog play areas...the large area is 1.5 acres and the small area is .5 acres. The third area is .1 acres and is dedicated for single owner use. The park has a 40 car parking lot, a plaza for special events and a walking trail that takes advantage of the wonderful Arroyo views.
Turf: Grass
Shade: Trees
Hours: Open daily 7:00am to 8:00pm
Closed on Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. for weekly turf maintenance
Address & Phone:
25100 Felipe Road
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 470-3045
Website:
www.cityofmissionviejo.org/DogPark
Part of the 16-acre Civic Center park, which includes a dog park, a civic lawn for outdoor events, places for art, a restored wetlands, 1.23 miles of walking and viewing trails, a belvedere and other view opportunities, and restrooms.
Turf: Astro Turf, dirt, concrete
Shade: Some trees
Small Park: Yes
Hours: 7:00am to dusk except Wednesdays 9:00am to dusk
Address:
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-644-3151
Website:
www.newportbeachca.gov
Turf: Grass
Shade: Lots of trees
Small Park: Separate fenced area
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Closed Wednesdays for maintenance
Address:
190 S. Yorba Street
Orange, CA 92867
email: parkinfo@orangedogpark.com
Website:
www.orangedogpark.com
Turf: Wood chips
Shade: 4 covered picnic tables
Small Park: Small fenced area
Restroom: Yes, Canada Vista Park (main)
2 Paws Up: Part of beautiful Canada Vista park which includes its own skate park
2 Paws Down: Small park, wood chips rough on the paws
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Address & Phone:
24328 Antonio Parkway
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
(949)635-1800
Website:
www.cityofrsm.org
Turf: Decomposed granite, grass
Shade: 2 Sunshades
Small Park: Separate grass enclosure
Restroom: Not yet, but on their wish list!
2 Paws Up: Two nice separate parks for large & small dogs, wilderness hiking trail behind the park
2 Paws Down: Limited shade
Hours: 6am to sunset
Closed Tuesdays until 1pm
Address & Phone:
301 Avenida La Pata
San Clemente, CA 92673
Website:
www.san-clemente.org
Turf: Grass
Shade: Trees
Small Park: Yes
Restroom: No
Hours: Dawn to dusk, weather permitting
Closed Thursdays from 8am to 12pm
Address & Phone:
4665 Lampson Avenue
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Website:
www.dboneweb.com