Bring your Golden Retriever to Golden Gate City for a weekend getaway! Explore off-leash beaches, roam through national parks, and take a cruise around Alcatraz Island. Then get your fill of delicious eats and let Fido choose his meal at a gourmet restaurant just for dogs.
A Weekend in Dog-Friendly San Francisco
Posted by Lauren Barker
Friday
4 p.m. Laurel Inn
Situated in the charming neighborhood of Pacific Heights, Laurel Inn is within walking distance of The Presidio and several pet-friendly beaches, restaurants and attractions. Book a stay at this 1963 hotel and enjoy amenities like free WiFi and 24-hour complimentary coffee and tea service. Fido will be welcomed with a loaner pet bed to use during his stay. Once you’re checked in, take advantage of the complimentary afternoon lemonade and cookie service to tide you over until dinner. Two pets of any size are welcome for no additional fee.
5:30 p.m. Cruise the Bay
After you’ve made yourself at home at the Laurel Inn, head to Pier 39 for an evening on the water with Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruises. Fido is welcome to join you on board this 60-minute guided history tour as you sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz Island and see gorgeous views of the skyline, the historic waterfront and Pier 39’s famous sea lions. This popular attraction sells out, so be sure to book your excursion ahead of your trip.
7 p.m. Dinner Wipeout Bar and Grill
Once you disembark, bring your pup to Wipeout Bar and Grill for dinner on the patio. Located on the waterfront at Pier 39, this surf food and beach shack serves up burgers, sandwiches, seafood and pizza. Grab a seat around the fire pit or at a patio table and order tasty entrees like the Wipeout Burger or Big Wave Sesame Tuna Bowl and sip on a beachy cocktail while enjoying more majestic views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
9 p.m. Night Cap in Ghiradelli Square
Before you call it a night, spend some time enjoying the sights of Fisherman’s Wharf. Then, make a stop at Ghiradelli Square for a handcrafted beer at San Francisco Brewing Co. Leashed pets are permitted in the outdoor beer garden where you can order a flight of delicious brews like Fog City Hazy IPA or Alcatraz Amber Ale. In addition to craft beer, they also offer specialty cocktails and wine, and if you’re craving something sweet for dessert, order a brownie sundae to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Saturday
8 a.m. Eats for Breakfast
Walk from your room at the Laurel Inn to nearby Eats for a casual breakfast with Fido. The menu includes staple breakfast items like eggs, pancakes, French toast and more, as well as cafe beverages and a variety of mimosas and peach bellini. Canine customers on the patio receive a bowl of water and yummy treats.
10 a.m. Have tons of fun at Fort Funston
As the morning fog lifts, explore the natural beauty surrounding San Francisco at dog-friendly Fort Funston, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on the city’s most western edge. Dogs on a leash or under strict voice command are free to play on the dog-friendly beach. Many trails lead down the steep bluffs to the sand and some can be strenuous, so use caution. Take a moment to enjoy the scenic views and you may spot wildlife or catch hang-gliders in action.
12 p.m. Grab Lunch in the Park
Fido will have worked up an appetite after all that play. Stop for lunch at Park Chalet, located nearby in San Francisco's world-famous Golden Gate Park. The restaurant features an expansive lawn with tables, and the menu includes items like small plates, wood-grilled burgers and barbecue specialties. When you leave, stop by Cal’s Pet Supply to pick up anything you forgot at home or a tasty reward for your well-behaved pup.
2 p.m. The Presidio
Spend the afternoon exploring one of San Francisco’s largest attractions. At the Presidio of San Francisco, leashed dogs are welcome to explore 1,500 acres of lush forests, hiking trails and picturesque overlooks of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. If Fido didn’t get enough beach time in the morning, he can spend more time at The Presidio's Baker Beach. Located just a mile from the Golden Gate Bridge, this canine hotspot is the perfect spot to snap photos of your pooch with the iconic landmark. Or, play a game of fetch at Crissy Field and clean up at the on-site dog washing station afterward.
4 p.m. Take an Art Walk
Before you head back to the hotel to get freshened up for dinner, walk through the paved paths at the Palace of Fine Arts. Admire the Greco-Roman rotunda and colonnades, one of the most photographed sites in the city, and you’ll likely spot swans swimming in the lagoon. Then head to the Presidio’s Tunnel Tops, a 14-acre park with lawns for picnics and an ever-changing line-up of food trucks. For an afternoon pick-me-up, grab a coffee and a snack and find an Adirondack chair facing the bay to kick back in and relax for a moment.
7 p.m. An EPIC Dinner
The name describes more than just the food at EPIC Steak. Admire incredible views while you dine on the dog-friendly patio that lines the Embarcadero. Tables overlook the water, the Bay Bridge and Rincon Park where four-legged San Franciscans will be taking their evening stroll. Order a signature steak, or try the lobster, lamb chops or sweet corn ravioli and pair it with a bottle of wine or an original cocktail. On cool evenings, heaters dot the patio, but you can also purchase an EPIC blanket to cuddle up in when the sun goes down.
9 p.m. Last Call at New Belgium
After dinner, you can take your tired pup back to the hotel via MUNI, San Francisco’s public transportation system. Or, if your furry night owl would prefer to stay out a bit longer, take a walk along the Embarcadero, beneath the Bay Bridge to New Belgium Brewing Taproom for a glass of beer or wine, a cocktail or a non-alcoholic root beer float for dessert.
Sunday
9 a.m. Breakfast with the Tanners
As you head out for the day, swing by Alamo Square Park for a photo op in front of the Painted Ladies, a row of Victorian homes famous for their inclusion in many pop-culture references including the opening scenes of the sitcom, Full House. Then, grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables of Alamo Square Cafe. Order a simple bagel with Nutella or cream cheese, or spice it up with one of their breakfast sandwiches and a fresh coffee. If Fido’s begging for a bite, order a side of scrambled eggs to tide him over until his brunch.
11 a.m. Dogue
After you’ve chowed down, bring Fido to his own doggie brunch at Dogue. This fine-dining restaurant is exclusively for canine guests. Their menu features pastries from the in-house “pawtisserie” and French-inspired courses with organic ingredients in the Bone Appétit Cafe. Owners can choose a variety of meat and seafood dishes like a drool-worthy chicken skin waffle or grass-fed steak on behalf of their furry companion. Advanced reservations are required and while the store is open during the week, the cafe is only open on Sundays, so be sure to book your spot before your trip.
12 p.m. Bring Sparky to Spark Social SF
If Fido can still move after his gourmet meal, head to SPARK Social SF for a relaxing afternoon. Your pup is welcome to join you at a picnic table in the shaded outdoor beer garden while you enjoy an afternoon coffee or beer, or lunch from one of the many on-site food trucks. Afterward, grab a seat around one of the fire pits, play a game of cornhole, listen to live music or pop into the photo booth with your pup to document your fantastic weekend together.
2 p.m. Depart San Francisco with a Dog-Tired Fido
After a weekend of dining at some of San Fran’s top pet-friendly eateries, and exploring the city’s historic and natural sites and landmarks, you can bet your dog-tired Fido will be excited to plan a return trip soon.