Everyone in California knows that Los Angeles reigns supreme among the places to see and to be seen.
This large geographically diverse city is one of the world’s largest sightseeing Meccas and attracts visitors from every corner of the globe. And, in the world of the tail-wagging doggydom, Los Angeles also gets a 4-paws-up rating for its canine friendly parks, restaurants and shops.
So is LA going to the dogs? Go anywhere at anytime and you will see an array of 4-legged, furry sniffers gad-abouting in front of coffee shops, outdoor restaurants and chic boutiques. To say LA is a pooch friendly place may be an understatement. Where else can you have continuous sunshine, rain free cool days and endless attractions to satisfy their curiosity and wanderlust.
So if you’re planning a visit and have time to play, the beach is a great place to start. It is true that many beaches are restricted to our doggy companions, but all is not lost. Our thanks and gratitude go out to Leo Carrillo Beach, a two-mile stretch of sandy heaven located in famous Malibu, California. Your furry beach bum is welcome to splash in the endless Pacific waves or to roll in the soft warm sand to his heart’s delight. This semi-secluded area is rarely crowded, especially if you get there early in the morning or late in the afternoon. One word of warning though, to our frolicking barkmeisters – there are consequences to a great day at the beach – the dreaded bath.
LA is not just about beaches, for there is plenty else to do for those water phobic, bath-detesting pupsters who just want to have fun. LA has parks galore. We’ll start by going south to the Long Beach recreation area, a 63-acre park that features a leash-free dog run area as well as a duck-filled casting pond. There is plenty of room for you and your pet to romp and explore. It is located on E. 7th Street just west of Bellflower.
Did you say you want more open space? That you feel closed in by just 63-acres? OK, then stretch your legs for the 279-acres of open space in the Arroyo Seco Park located at 5566 Via Marisol Street in Los Angeles. Take some water and treats, for you may need more energy than you think, especially on hot, sunny days.
Some canines are never satisfied. They are always looking for greener grass, the best, the biggest and the most crowded. Well we can fill the bill by suggesting Griffith Park, the largest municipal park in Los Angeles. This 4,000-acre park features numerous challenging trails of varying terrain, including the original “bat cave” from the TV series. There are horseback riding trails at the park to enjoy as well. For the fit and the hearty there are trails that climb up the side of lush mountains and award those that make it to the top with spectacular vistas of the LA basin below; and low and behold, there is also a concession stand with plenty of treats to cool down panting companions.
One of the most beautiful and least crowded parks is the Kenneth Hahn State recreation area located in Baldwin Hills. This truly majestic, well-manicured park contains trees from 140 different nations. There are several different habitats for you and pooch to contend with including desert, tropical and temperate areas. Your 4-legged adventurer will be delirious with the tantalizing scents and sights emanating from these foreign ecosystems. Talk about variety, this park has it. There is also a large pond and a cool, inviting, rushing waterfall. This park is truly a hidden treasure. The entrance fee is $3.00 and is well worth every penny. The park is located off La Cienega in Baldwin Hills.
Or how about a stroll around Errol Flynn’s former estate, Runyon Canyon. It’s great hiking around Hollywood Hills, and you and your dog are sure to enjoy the spectacular views of Los Angeles. It is at the north end of Fuller – west of La Brea.
If picnicking is your fancy, I would suggest the Will Rogers State Historic Park. This picturesque parkland is nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains in Pacific Palisades. There are many picnic tables scattered throughout the park. After lunch, you and your dog can work off some calories by hiking to Inspiration Point from where you can view the Pacific Coast and ocean below.
On almost every day of the week rollerbladers and bicyclists can be seen accompanied by their pets traveling to who-knows- where, in both directions along the Pacific Coast boardwalk of Santa Monica beach. At times, there are so many dogs that from a distance it looks like some sort of erratic racing event. When you and your huffing and puffing tail wagger are ready to rest your tired feet, Venice beach has plenty of outdoor cafes that readily quench your thirst with a welcome, cool beverage.
For those less energetic souls who would rather stroll and window-shop, there are many store owners along Main Street in Santa Monica that will welcome your pet and often reward him or her with a treat for extra-good shopping behavior.
So get your shoes and collars on and head out to Los Angeles. You and your pets have some exciting choices to make and are guaranteed a full day of fitness and fun.
Haze is Co-Founder of Take Me Home, a not for profit
Animal Rescue Awareness Foundation; for more information,
go to www.takemehome.tv.
L.A. Happenings:
On June 27th, party at the infamous Playboy mansion! This time the bunnies are not the stars of the show, but rather, taking center stage are colorful and exotic birds (that you’d normally see in Margaritaville). The “Parrots in Paradise” party will benefit the Gabriel Foundation, a non-profit foundation that works to educate the public about proper care of parrots, provides foster and adoptive homes for the birds, and maintains a parrot sanctuary. It promises to be an incredible evening! For information, and to reserve your place, email bengel@gcd.com or phone 312-245-3090.
Is your hound a hero? The SPCA LA is currently accepting nominations for their National Hero Dog Award” to be presented this fall at the Great LA Dog Walk in Los Angeles. Past winners have included a former shelter dog that saved a snowboarder’s life in Mammoth, CA; a Rottweiler who delivered a portable phone to his owner, enabling him to dial 911 while suffering a heart attack; a Rodesian Ridgeback that prevented a sexual predator from kidnapping a six-year-old girl; and a Golden Retriever that pulled a young boy out of a mud pond. Dogs nominated cannot be formally trained in rescue or as police dogs. To nominate your pup, send in a 100-word essay describing the heroic act that occurred in the year 2001 with a name, address, and daytime telephone number. Heroic acts must have some way of being verified (newspaper clippings, police report, etc). The essay must be received by September 2, 2002, to spcaLA National Hero Dog Nominations; 5026 West Jefferson Blvd.; Los Angeles, CA 90016. The winning dog will be flown out to LA with 2 human companions, lead the Great LA Dog Walk, and receive a year’s supply of Pedigree dog food as well as an assortment of treats.
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