Traveling to SF with your pup?

Your guide to where to stay and what to see in San Francisco with your dog.

Going up to the city is a great weekend getaway with your pup, especially since there are so many fun dog-friendly places in San Francisco. In fact, San Francisco is rated one of the most dog friendly cities in America, because of its high number of dog parks and off-leash areas.

Fortunately from my home base in Los Angeles, it’s not very far away. Fira and I went for 5 days, which was short enough for a quick getaway but not too long to be away from home either. Weston was waiting for us at home!

With that said, let’s get to it. Here’s your dog-friendly guide to San Francisco:

How to get to SF with your dog

I flew with Fira on the independent air carrier, JSX, from Burbank to Oakland, and just a short 50-minute flight later, we arrived in Oakland. When you land in Oakland, it’s just a 30-50 minute drive, depending on traffic, and you’re in San Francisco!

If you’re flying from LA, this airline makes it super easy. You can avoid all the travel crowds and have a stress-free experience for both you and your dog.

They do have routes to Oakland and Northern California from other locations too, like Phoenix and Las Vegas.

[ Don’t forget to use my referral code for $20 off your first flight: GPMOJX ]

Read my post: Fly Private With Your Dog with JSX

Now that you’re in Golden Gate City, where will you go with your dog? Here are my favorite dog-friendly places in San Francisco:

Crissy Field is right next to the Golden Gate Bridge. You can get some amazing shots of you and your pup playing here. Lots of space and you can even have your dog off-leash on the beach!

Fira and I met up with @spottedhumphrey + his mom and we explored the sights together! Fira can be verrry picky with dogs, but she got along so well with Humphrey- he was such a gentleman.

Umbrella Alley – The Greetings from SF Mural

Such a fun spot to bring your dog in San Francisco. Originally created in 2019, this mural is located in the Fisherman’s Wharf. All outdoors, Umbrella Alley has interactive murals you can walk through with your dog.

Painted Ladies – The Recognizable Row of Colorful Houses

The Painted Ladies are a true SF classic! The park right across the street, where you’ll see the Painted Ladies, is called Alamo Square Park. It’s actually an off-leash park – Fira loved chasing a ball through here (and ignored all the dogs, of course). This is the dog-friendly place in SF where the Tanner family lived in Full House.

BTW – check out Spotted by Humphrey‘s post 5 Best Dog Parks in San Francisco (And Why)

and write them down for your SF trip!

[ image by California Beaches ]

PIER 39

Dogs are also allowed on PIER 39 with a leash, which is right at Fisherman’s Wharf. Shops, restaurants, and even an entire video arcade await you and your dog! You can even sometimes catch sea lions lying out on the docks in the marina.

Marina neighborhood

I got a nice feel for the Marina area because it was just a 20 minute walk from Presidio – the closest walkable neighborhood in the area (I needed a CVS!). I ended up coming here a lot for meals and outings! Walk a little ways over to Union St for Wildseed, Epicurean Trader, local boutiques, Sephora and Vuori clothing.

Can dogs ride the San Francisco cable cars?

Yes! Dogs must be on a leash and muzzled, or in a closed carrier when riding on the cable cars. For Fira, I just brought her carrier along with us for the day.

Officially the world’s last manually operated cable car system, the SF cable cars are such a fun way to see the sights and get around the city with your dog! It might also save you extra expenses from taking Ubers around town, too.

Speaking of dog-friendly Ubers…

Everything in SF seems to be 20 minutes away, lol. I ended up taking a lot of Ubers with Fira to get from place to place. There is an “Uber Pet” option, which usually costs a little bit more. For example, if a regular ride is $20, the Uber Pet might be $25-30 — just something to keep in mind for travel expenses! I always get a little anxious bringing a dog but all the drivers were super nice about it. I always bring Fira in a bag, so she’s contained and doesn’t leave fur everywhere.

Waggo Canvas Dog Carrier Tote

Is it safe to bring your dog to San Francisco?

To be honest, I felt nervous going to SF, especially hearing about the rise in crimes and robberies of Frenchies! I decided to play it safe by bringing pepper spray — I hooked it onto the dog leash and had it in my hand whenever I was outside walking Fira.

I also made sure never to walk her when it was dark outside. Luckily, it stays light out pretty late during the summer. I was highly alert and kept an eye on my surroundings.

Thankfully, everything went well and it wasn’t bad at all. We weren’t in downtown or near Union Square, so I think that helped a lot!

This is the pepper spray I got at Target.

One thing about San Francisco is that there is no shortage on delicious restaurants and places to eat! There are soo many amazing spots here. Here is a list of dog-friendly restaurants in San Francisco with outdoor patios.

[ image by @delarosasf ]

Delarosa. Roman pizza with a lively atmosphere! They have 3 locations and all have outdoor seating. I visited the Marina location- it was buzzing and you could smell the delicious pizza aromas lingering in the air. 2175 Chestnut Street.

Napizza. Another pizza because why not? This one’s also in the Marina neighborhood, down the street from Delarosa. My sister said Napizza was one of the best Napoli pizzas she’s had! 3258 Scott St.

[ image by Eater SF ]

Norcina. One more Italian spot and I’ll stop. This spot has the cutest interior- very pretty, warm and inviting. They have a wood fired pizza oven, of course, and the pizza was delicious! Try the Spritz Flight (3 different kinds of spritzes). 3251 Pierce St.

Hook Fish Co. Small seafood shack serves up fresh, local fish! Outdoor dog-friendly seating, tables + benches. 4542 Irving St.

[ image by @kitchenstorysf ]

Kitchen Story. Super cute spot for brunch. Yes, they do serve unlimited mimosas. 3499 16th St.

Kona’s Street Market. If you’re in the mood for a drink (with your dog, of course), this spot serves creative cocktails and is named after the owner’s dog! 32 3rd St.

Coqueta. This waterfront restaurant serves delicious Spanish tapas, like croquetas and several paellas. On Pier 5 on the Embarcadero- enjoy the view!

Zazie. Adorable French bistro and they encourage dogs! Especially on Mondays: $10 off any bottle of wine on their list, and they have treats for your pup! 941 Cole St.

[ image by @eatmamahuhu ]

Mamahuhu. I actually ordered the Mushroom Mapo Tofu two days in a row – it is sooo good and one of their most popular dishes. Really good, modern Chinese food by a James Beard-winning chef; every dish is less than $17. Dog-friendly outdoor area. 517 Clement St.

[ image by @stablecafe ]

Stable Cafe. How beautiful is this outdoor patio?! It’s only open from 8am – 3pm, so definitely plan a breakfast or brunch here with your pup. I’m definitely going to come here next time I’m in SF! 2128 Folsom St.

We stayed at the newly opened 1 Hotel in the Embarcadero area. I always love 1 Hotels because they’re very eco-friendly with beautiful greenery everywhere. They all have a similar aesthetic of natural textures like rustic wood, stone and soothing neutral shades of beige. The service is always great too. They even provided dog bowls and a super chic round, denim dog bed.

Two pets of any size are welcome with no additional charges at 1 Hotel.

1 Hotel has beautiful San Francisco Bay views and is right across the street from the Ferry Building. Definitely check that out! It’s a nice marketplace with local food stalls and artisanal retailers. Grab an outdoor table at Hog Island Oyster Co (yes, dog-friendly) and don’t forget to pick up the fresh sourdough bread from Acme.

french bulldog at ferry building san francisco

french bulldog in presidio san francisco

If you want to be out of the city and closer to nature, Lodge at Presidio Inn fits the bill! Located in the desirable neighborhood of Presidio, I would say it’s one of the most dog-friendly hotels in San Francisco. When I took Fira outside, I never felt like I had to leash her because it’s such an open, quiet area. The pet fee here is $40.

There is a huuuge lawn where several people were having picnics and enjoying the outdoors. It’s also a great base camp for the park, camping, hiking and nearby beaches.

This hotel has 42 rooms, complimentary breakfast and wine/cheese happy hour and even a free shuttle to downtown.

Read the post: 7 San Francisco Hotels With No Pet Fees

Fairmont. A name that is truly synonymous with luxury, the Fairmont San Francisco is a great place to stay in San Francisco with your dog. Centrally-located at Nob Hill in the heart of SF, you’ll love this hotel’s world-class service. $75 pet fee.

Proper. I always love the Proper Hotels because they’re designed by interior queen Kelly Wearstler. Creative, cool, and captivating, the Proper San Francisco is the flagship location. Bring your dog on the rooftop and take in the gorgeous views. $100 pet fee.

Palihotel. This boutique hotel is not just world-famous, it’s also historic. Right in Union Square, the Palihotel has 82 king and queen rooms, plus plenty of charming decor. Visit Fisher Loft, the hotel’s restaurant. $75 pet fee.

St Regis. If you’re looking for a hotel in SoMa, this is the best pick for you. Elegant and boasting views of downtown SF, the St. Regis is a must for old-world charm mixed with contemporary style. Conveniently located to MoAD and SFMOMA if you’re an art aficionado. $150 pet fee.

Clift. Just one block from Union Square is the Clift Hotel. This dog-friendly hotel in San Francisco has been recently renovated and in a convenient location to everything else. $75 fee to bring pets.

Kimpton Alton. The Kimpton is always a favorite because their entire chain always welcomes dogs. The Alton is right at Fisherman’s Wharf and close to Ghirardelli Square. The waterfront views can’t be beat, either. No deposit or cleaning fees for dogs.