Best Hike Where Dogs Can Go Off-Leash

On a map, Briones Regional Park looks daunting — more than 6,000 acres and at least 5 entrances — but regardless of which trail you choose, you’re guaranteed to find an easy hike with impressive views. While Briones is only a fifteen-minute drive from Oakland, it feels like another world — especially in springtime, when the wildflowers are in bloom and the rolling hills are green. And dogs love it: They can mingle with the cows and other wildlife, swim in the shallow ponds, and roll around under the massive oak trees (although some areas require a leash). One word of warning, however: The horse and cow poop is everywhere, so the pup may need a bath when you get home.