The Best Dog Parks in the South Bay & San Jose
The South Bay is packed with off-leash spots, but they are wildly uneven — some are fully fenced with all-weather turf, others are open enclosures inside a county park with a parking fee at the gate. This guide covers the 12 highest-rated dog parks across San Jose, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Cupertino, Campbell and Milpitas, with the details that actually matter on the day: fencing, small-dog areas, surface, hours and cost. Every rule below was verified July 2026 against the official city or park-district page.
Alongside the official rules, we distilled recurring themes from dog-owner reviews across Google, Yelp, Reddit, BringFido, and AllTrails — see the “What dog owners say” notes under each entry (a theme is included only when it shows up on at least two independent platforms).
How we chose these: we started with every dog park in the South Bay that has at least 100 Google reviews, kept only those rated 4.3 stars or higher, then ranked them by star rating and, where ratings tied, by number of reviews. Finally we cross-checked each park's dog policy — leash rules, fencing, fees and hours — against its official city or county park-district page. The parks appear below in that ranked order.
Quick Picks
| Category | Our pick |
|---|---|
| Best fully fenced | Butcher Dog Park (San Jose) |
| Best for small dogs | Mary Avenue Dog Park (Cupertino) |
| Best all-weather turf | Raymond G. Gamma Dog Park (Santa Clara) |
| Best for a hike plus off-leash | Ed Levin Dog Park (Milpitas) |
| Best free and central | Rengstorff Park Dog Park (Mountain View) |
At a Glance
| Park | Fenced | Small-dog area | Surface | Off-leash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Palmas (Sunnyvale) | Yes | Yes | Grass & dirt | Yes, in fence |
| Mitchell Park (Palo Alto) | Yes | Yes | Dirt & grass | Yes, in fence |
| Raymond G. Gamma / Reed St (Santa Clara) | Yes | Yes | Synthetic turf | Yes, in fence |
| Hellyer County Park (San Jose) | Yes | No | Grass | Yes, in fence |
| Ed Levin (Milpitas) | Yes | Yes | Grass | Yes, in fence |
| Los Gatos Creek (Campbell) | Yes | Yes | Artificial turf | Yes, in fence |
| Rengstorff Park (Mountain View) | Yes | No | Wood chips | Yes, in fence |
| Butcher (San Jose) | Yes | Yes | Turf & mulch | Yes, in fence |
| Village Green (Mountain View) | Yes | Yes | Artificial turf | Yes, in fence |
| Saratoga Creek (San Jose) | Yes | No | Artificial turf | Yes, in fence |
| Mary Avenue (Cupertino) | Yes | Yes | Redwood bark | Yes, in fence |
| Larry J. Marsalli (Santa Clara) | Yes | Yes | Natural grass | Yes, in fence |
Las Palmas Dog Park (Sunnyvale)
Address: 831 Stella Ct (inside Las Palmas Park), Sunnyvale, CA 94087 · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced enclosure · Fenced: fully fenced, separate large- and small-dog sections · Hours: 6 a.m.–9 p.m. daily · Cost: free
★ 4.7 · 2,584 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes, double-gated |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Surface | Grass & dirt |
| Small-dog area | Yes |
| Shade | Yes; trees |
| Water | Fountain |
| Parking | Free lot |
One of Sunnyvale's busiest runs, set at the back of Las Palmas Park off Stella Court. The small- and large-dog yards are split behind a double gate, and the small side is one of the few local runs with real grass underfoot — easy on older joints. The large side is grass thinning to bare dirt, so it kicks up dust by late summer.
Mature trees shade most of the seating, there is a dog fountain, and regulars keep a stash of donated toys and waste bags. Mornings and the after-work hour are the busy, social windows; midday is calm. The rest of the park is on-leash — off-leash starts past the second gate, though loose dogs on the picnic lawns are a common local gripe. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 one of the few local dog parks with real grass, easy on paws
- 👍 divided small-dog and large-dog sections
- 👍 running water, donated community toys, and stocked waste bags
- ⚠️ large-dog side is mostly bare dirt and gets very dusty in dry months
- ⚠️ off-leash dogs roaming the wider park outside the fenced runs, against posted rules
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, TripAdvisor, BringFido, DogPack.
Mitchell Park Dog Park (Palo Alto)
Address: 600 E. Meadow Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94306 · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced dog run only · Fenced: fenced, with separate large- and small-dog areas · Hours: park hours, dawn to dusk · Cost: free
★ 4.7 · 2,219 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Surface | Dirt (large) & grass (small) |
| Small-dog area | Yes |
| Shade | Sails & trees |
| Water | Fountains |
| Parking | Free, on-site |
Palo Alto enforces its leash law hard: off-leash is legal only inside a fenced run, and the city will cite a loose dog anywhere else in a park. Mitchell's run was rebuilt with two enclosures — a grass yard for small dogs and a larger dirt yard for big dogs — so the old mud-in-winter, dust-in-summer complaints mostly hit the big-dog side.
Shade sails and trees cover the benches, and there are dog fountains in both yards. It sits inside a 20-plus-acre park with a library and playgrounds, so it pairs easily with an errand. Parking is on-site off East Meadow Drive. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 largest off-leash run in Palo Alto, with enough room for dogs to properly run
- 👍 waste stations and benches are kept serviceable
- 👍 sits inside a big park with plenty to do before or after
- ⚠️ surface is mostly dirt with little grass — a mud pit in winter and dusty in summer
- ⚠️ one shared run with no small-dog separation
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, BringFido, DogTrekker, DogPack.
Raymond G. Gamma Dog Park (Reed Street) (Santa Clara)
Address: 888 Reed St, Santa Clara, CA 95050 · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced enclosure · Fenced: fully fenced, separate big- and small-dog areas on synthetic turf · Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m. most days; opens 3 p.m. Wednesdays after maintenance · Cost: free
★ 4.6 · 654 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes |
|---|---|
| Size | ~1.7 acres |
| Surface | Synthetic turf |
| Small-dog area | Yes (~18 in) |
| Shade | Shaded seating; lit |
| Water | Water station |
| Parking | Free lot |
Still "Reed Street" to locals. The draw is the synthetic turf: it drains fast and stays out of the mud all winter, which is why regulars drive across town for it. About 1.7 acres, split into big- and small-dog sides (the small side is for dogs roughly 18 inches at the shoulder or shorter), with a water station and lights that make evening visits work.
Plan around one thing: the runs close Wednesday mornings for turf maintenance and reopen at 3 p.m., and the park may shut during and after heavy rain. It gets crowded and a little chaotic at peak, when phone-distracted owners stop watching, so off-peak is calmer. Two dogs per adult; leash up outside the fence. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 cleaner and bigger than most nearby parks — some owners drive out of their way for it
- 👍 separate small- and large-dog sides with water, free bags, and shaded seating
- 👍 lighting makes evening visits workable
- ⚠️ gets crowded at peak hours, when phone-distracted owners stop watching their dogs
- ⚠️ occasional aggressive-dog incidents during busy periods
- ⚠️ closed Wednesday until mid-afternoon for maintenance, which surprises first-timers
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, DogPack, BringFido.
Dog Park at Hellyer County Park (San Jose)
Address: 985 Hellyer Ave, San Jose, CA 95111 (Hellyer County Park) · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced enclosure · Fenced: fenced, one large combined enclosure · Hours: park hours, roughly 8 a.m. to sunset (closed one day a week for maintenance) · Cost: dog area free; vehicle entrance fee applies
★ 4.6 · 357 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes |
|---|---|
| Size | ~2 acres |
| Surface | Grass (with dirt patch) |
| Small-dog area | No; single run |
| Shade | Yes; trees |
| Water | Fountain, buckets |
| Parking | Paid entry fee |
A Santa Clara County park off Highway 101, so the dog area is one big two-acre grassy enclosure rather than split yards — good for dogs that just want to open up and run. The grass holds up better than the dirt patch, and the county closes it when it gets too wet, so skip it right after a storm.
Shade trees, a drinking fountain, water buckets and plenty of picnic seating make it comfortable to linger, though the freeway hum is constant. The run is free but there is a vehicle entrance fee at the gate; bike or walk in to skip it. County rules: handlers 16 or older, two dogs each, current license and rabies tag. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 Spacious two-acre grassy off-leash run with plenty of room to sprint
- 👍 Friendly regulars and sociable dogs make for an easy-going crowd
- 👍 Well-stocked basics: water buckets, pooper-scooper stations, benches, and free entry
- ⚠️ Constant traffic noise from the adjacent Highway 101
- ⚠️ Not every owner picks up after their dog, so waste hides in the taller grass
- ⚠️ Grass turns muddy in patches after rain
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, BringFido, DogPack, Tripadvisor.
Ed Levin Dog Park (Ed R. Levin County Park) (Milpitas)
Address: 3100 Calaveras Rd, Milpitas, CA 95035 · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced enclosure · Fenced: fenced, two sections for small and large dogs · Hours: park hours, dawn to dusk · Cost: dog area free; vehicle entrance/parking fee applies
★ 4.6 · 261 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Surface | Grass |
| Small-dog area | Yes (<20 in) |
| Shade | Yes; trees |
| Water | Bring your own |
| Parking | Paid (~$6/vehicle) |
The dog park sits at the foot of the Milpitas hills inside Ed R. Levin County Park — the pick when you want off-leash time plus a real outing, with lakes, hang-gliders overhead and miles of trail. It is among the largest fenced runs in the South Bay, with fully separate zones for small dogs (under 20 inches at the shoulder) and large dogs. Dogs are allowed on leash in the lots, picnic areas and on trails north of Calaveras Road.
Grass underfoot, with shaded spots, benches and picnic tables. Two cautions: the foothills bake in summer, so bring water, and ticks are common in the grass and on the trails — check your dog afterward. A vehicle entrance fee (about $6) applies at the kiosk even though the run itself is free. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 one of the largest fenced off-leash areas in the South Bay, with fully separate small- and large-dog zones
- 👍 scenic foothill setting with trails and picnic areas to make a day of it
- 👍 well maintained, with shaded spots, benches, and picnic tables
- ⚠️ the county park charges a per-vehicle entry fee, which annoys frequent visitors
- ⚠️ ticks are a known problem on the grass and surrounding trails
- ⚠️ weekend crowds can strain parking later in the day
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, BringFido, TripAdvisor, Wheree (Google review aggregation).
Dog Park | Los Gatos Creek (Campbell)
Address: 1250 Dell Ave, Campbell, CA 95008 (Los Gatos Creek County Park) · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced enclosure · Fenced: fully fenced, separate small- and large-dog areas on artificial turf · Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset · Cost: dog area free; ~$5 vehicle parking fee, or free on foot via the trail
★ 4.5 · 441 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Small-dog area | Yes |
| Shade | Structures; limited |
| Water | Fountains |
| Parking | $5, or free walk-in |
A county park where you can dodge the parking fee entirely by walking or biking in on the Los Gatos Creek Trail — foot access is free. The run is artificial turf, split into small- and large-dog sides, with shade structures, benches, water fountains and a bulletin board, so it is set up for a long visit.
Two things regulars flag: dry foxtails turn up on the large-dog side in summer, so watch ears and paws, and the park does not stock waste bags — bring your own. Driving in through the Dell Avenue entrance runs about $5. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 Artificial turf keeps it mud-free even in wet weather
- 👍 Separate small-dog and large-dog enclosures
- 👍 Clean and well-maintained with benches, shade structures, and water fountains
- ⚠️ Dry foxtails turn up on the large-dog side, so owners have to watch closely
- ⚠️ A $5 parking fee applies at the Dell Avenue lot unless you walk in
- ⚠️ Shade coverage feels limited and there are no free poop bags
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, BringFido, DogPack, Santa Clara County Parks.
Fenced Dog Park | Rengstorff Park (Mountain View)
Address: 201 S. Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View, CA 94040 · Off-leash: yes, during posted off-leash hours inside the fence · Fenced: fully fenced, double-gated · Hours: 6 a.m. to sunset · Cost: free
★ 4.5 · 275 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes, double-gated |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Surface | Wood chips |
| Small-dog area | No; single run |
| Shade | Yes; pines |
| Water | Fountain, bowls |
| Parking | Free lot |
Mountain View allows off-leash only in designated fenced areas during posted hours, and Rengstorff's is the most convenient — central, free and open from 6 a.m. It is a single wood-chip run, which keeps dogs out of the mud, ringed by mature pines that throw real shade.
A double-gated entry pen, a maintained dog fountain with bowls, and usually stocked bags. The city rule is voice control: your dog must stay watched and under voice command, two per person. Because it is one shared yard, small or timid dogs do best at quieter, off-peak hours. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 Wood-chip surface stays clean and keeps dogs out of the mud
- 👍 Good shade from mature pine trees lining the enclosure
- 👍 Double-gated entry/exit pen makes the space feel secure
- ⚠️ Gets crowded during peak morning and evening hours
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, BringFido, Tripadvisor, DogPack.
Butcher Dog Park (San Jose)
Address: 3950 Camden Ave (Roy M. Butcher Park, at Lancaster Dr), San Jose, CA 95124 · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced enclosure · Fenced: fully fenced, with a separate small-dog area · Hours: park hours, dawn to dusk · Cost: free
★ 4.4 · 1,052 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Surface | Turf & mulch |
| Small-dog area | Yes |
| Shade | Yes; mature trees |
| Water | Fountain/pumps |
| Parking | Free lot |
A San Jose favorite inside Roy M. Butcher Park that pulls visitors from across the Bay Area. Fully fenced with a dedicated small-dog area, and the footing mixes artificial turf with mulched, tree-shaded ground, so there is cover in summer and usable traction after rain.
Water pumps for dogs, benches and tables, and a committed regular crowd that helps keep it clean. It gets crowded at peak, and the odd scuffle flares when owners stop paying attention, so many regulars come off-hours. Standard San Jose rules: proof of license, current vaccinations, two dogs per person, and children only with a guardian. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 Fully equipped with bags, chairs, benches, tables, turf, and mulched areas
- 👍 Separate small-dog section
- 👍 Engaged owners who actually watch their dogs, with a strong regular community
- ⚠️ Occasional dog fights and some owners not supervising closely
- ⚠️ Crowds build at peak times, so regulars go at off-hours
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, BringFido, Tripadvisor, DogPack.
Village Green Dog Park (Mountain View)
Address: 685 San Antonio Rd, Mountain View, CA 94040 · Off-leash: yes, during posted off-leash hours inside the fence · Fenced: fully fenced, two sections (small and large), double-gated · Hours: posted off-leash hours (city dog-park hours) · Cost: free
★ 4.4 · 411 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes, double-gated |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium; 2 areas |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Small-dog area | Yes |
| Shade | Structure; limited |
| Water | Fountains |
| Parking | Free; center lot |
Handy if you are already at the San Antonio Center near the Palo Alto line. It is artificial turf across two fenced sections divided by a low-traffic lane, so you can match your dog by size or temperament, and the turf stays clean and mud-free when it is wet.
A shade structure, dog fountains, waste stations and benches, all behind double gates. It is on the small side and feels cramped at busy hours, and shade is thin on a sunny afternoon. Same Mountain View rules as Rengstorff: voice control during posted hours, two dogs per person; everywhere else in the city, dogs must be leashed. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 Artificial turf keeps dogs clean and mud-free when it is wet out
- 👍 Two fenced sections let you separate dogs by size or temperament
- 👍 Friendly people and dogs, with owners who pick up after themselves
- ⚠️ Feels small and cramped during busy hours
- ⚠️ Almost no shade or umbrellas, so it gets uncomfortable on sunny days
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, BringFido, Wanderlog, A Park A Day Bay Area.
Saratoga Creek Dog Park (San Jose)
Address: Doyle Rd at Lassen Ave (Saratoga Creek Park), San Jose, CA 95129 · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced enclosure · Fenced: fully fenced, double-gated, artificial turf · Hours: park hours, dawn to dusk · Cost: free, with free parking nearby
★ 4.4 · 347 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes, double-gated |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Small-dog area | No; single run |
| Shade | Limited |
| Water | Fountain |
| Parking | Free nearby |
A tidy West San Jose run on K9-style artificial turf that stays usable right through the rainy season. It is a single shared yard with no small-dog split — dogs run together — behind a double gate, with a dog fountain and shaded seating.
Clean and well kept, with free parking and step-free access nearby. Because there is no separate small-dog area, bring toy breeds or nervous dogs at quieter times. San Jose rules apply: two dogs per person, current vaccinations, proof of license. Watch for the occasional short maintenance closure. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 artificial K9-style turf stays mud-free, so it is usable even right after rain
- 👍 consistently described as clean and well kept
- 👍 decent open space for fetch and running despite its medium size
- ⚠️ single shared area with no separate small-dog section, which worries toy-breed owners
- ⚠️ occasional temporary maintenance closures catch visitors off guard
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, BringFido, DogPack, DogTrekker.
Mary Avenue Dog Park (Cupertino)
Address: 10309 Mary Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014 · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced enclosure · Fenced: fully fenced, separate areas for dogs under 25 lb and over 25 lb · Hours: sunrise to sunset · Cost: free
★ 4.3 · 123 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Surface | Redwood bark |
| Small-dog area | Yes (<25 lb) |
| Shade | Yes; shaded benches |
| Water | Fountains, buckets |
| Parking | Free lot |
Cupertino's main run splits dogs cleanly by weight — one fenced yard under 25 pounds, one over — which is why it is our small-dog pick. The surface is shredded redwood bark: soft, but it dries out and throws brown dust when dogs get going, so it is not the spot for a freshly bathed dog.
Shaded benches, dog fountains and communal water buckets, and the big-dog side catches a breeze on hot days. The adjacent freeway is audible. Cupertino adds one entry rule the other cities do not: dogs must be spayed or neutered and vaccinated to use any city dog park. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 clean, well-maintained neighborhood park with courteous regulars
- 👍 small/large dog split (25 lb cutoff), water fountains, and shaded benches
- 👍 well-behaved dog crowd compared with bigger regional parks
- ⚠️ dry shredded-bark surface kicks up brown dust that coats dogs during play
- ⚠️ freeway noise from the adjacent highway is noticeable
- ⚠️ turf section gets muddy after rain
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, Google Maps (via Wheree), DogPack.
Larry J Marsalli Dog Park (Santa Clara)
Address: 1425 Lafayette St (Larry J. Marsalli Park), Santa Clara, CA 95050 · Off-leash: yes, inside the fenced enclosure · Fenced: securely fenced, with a designated small-dog area · Hours: sunrise to dusk (not lit; closes about a half hour after sunset) · Cost: free
★ 4.3 · 122 Google reviews · on Google Maps
| Fenced | Yes |
|---|---|
| Size | ~0.5 acre |
| Surface | Natural grass |
| Small-dog area | Yes |
| Shade | Yes; seating, tables |
| Water | Fountain |
| Parking | Free lot; restrooms |
Santa Clara's quieter off-leash park, smaller and calmer than Reed Street — a good fit for dogs that find big crowds too much. It is a compact, fully fenced half-acre of natural grass with separate big- and small-dog sides.
Real grass means soft footing but muddy patches after rain. There is a dog fountain, shaded seating and picnic tables, plus an on-site lot behind the playground and restrooms. It is not lit, so it closes about a half hour after sunset — a daytime park. Two dogs per handler; leash up outside the fence. Official page
What dog owners say:
- 👍 Clean, quiet, and routinely well-maintained
- 👍 Separate big-dog and small-dog areas on natural grass
- 👍 Free entry with shaded seating
- ⚠️ The small-dog side feels a bit cramped
- ⚠️ Natural-grass surface develops muddy spots in wet weather
Recurring themes from owner reviews across Yelp, BringFido, DogPack, Google Maps.
Know Before You Go
- Off-leash means inside the fence only. Across every South Bay city and the county parks, dogs must be leashed everywhere except inside a posted, fenced off-leash enclosure. Palo Alto and San Jose actively cite off-leash dogs outside the runs.
- Two dogs per adult is the near-universal cap at these parks — plan ahead if you walk a pack.
- License and vaccination. County parks (Hellyer, Ed Levin, Los Gatos Creek) and San Jose require a current dog license and rabies vaccination. Cupertino additionally requires dogs to be spayed or neutered.
- County parks charge to park. The dog runs at Hellyer, Ed Levin and Los Gatos Creek are free to use, but the parks charge a vehicle entrance/parking fee at the gate. City dog parks on this list are free. At Los Gatos Creek you can avoid the fee by walking in on the trail.
- Voice control in Mountain View. Rengstorff and Village Green require dogs to be under voice control and watched at all times during posted off-leash hours.
- Bring your own bags and always pick up. Some parks stock waste bags, but not reliably — Los Gatos Creek stocks none — so carry your own and clean up every time.
- Turf beats mud in winter. Synthetic-turf parks (Gamma/Reed Street, Los Gatos Creek, Village Green, Saratoga Creek and Butcher) drain fast and stay usable after rain. Grass and dirt runs get muddy, and some close on wet or maintenance days.
- Small-dog owners have options. Mary Avenue (by weight), Las Palmas, Mitchell Park, Gamma, Los Gatos Creek, Butcher, Village Green, Ed Levin and Marsalli all have separate small-dog areas. Hellyer, Rengstorff and Saratoga Creek are single runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which South Bay dog parks are fully fenced?
All twelve are fenced, and most have double-gated entries — a real plus if your dog is a bolter. The county enclosures at Hellyer and Ed R. Levin are fenced too. So secure fencing is not what separates these parks; surface, small-dog areas and shade are. If a fence is your must-have, any park on this list works.
Do I have to pay to visit a South Bay dog park?
The city-run parks — in Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, San Jose, Mountain View and Cupertino — are free. The county parks (Hellyer, Ed R. Levin and Los Gatos Creek) let you use the dog run for free but charge a vehicle entrance or parking fee at the gate. At Los Gatos Creek you can skip the fee by walking or biking in on the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
Which parks have separate areas for small dogs?
Mary Avenue in Cupertino splits dogs by weight (under and over 25 pounds) and is our top small-dog pick. Las Palmas, Mitchell Park, Gamma/Reed Street, Los Gatos Creek, Butcher, Village Green, Ed Levin and Marsalli also have dedicated small-dog sections. The single-yard parks — Hellyer, Rengstorff and Saratoga Creek — are best for small or shy dogs at quieter, off-peak times.
What do I need to bring or have to enter?
Bring a leash for the walk to and from the enclosure, waste bags, and water in warm weather. Your dog should have a current license and be up to date on vaccinations, which county parks and San Jose require. Cupertino also requires dogs to be spayed or neutered. Handlers at county off-leash areas must be at least 16.
Which dog parks are best in winter or after rain?
Go for the all-weather turf runs: Gamma/Reed Street in Santa Clara, Los Gatos Creek in Campbell, Village Green in Mountain View, and Saratoga Creek and Butcher in San Jose all drain well and stay far less muddy. Rengstorff's wood chips hold up reasonably too. Note that Gamma is closed Wednesday mornings until 3 p.m. for maintenance, and grass runs like Hellyer, Mitchell and Marsalli get muddy and can close on wet or maintenance days.
Sources & Further Reading
- City of Sunnyvale — Las Palmas Park
- City of Palo Alto — Dog Parks (Mitchell Park)
- City of Santa Clara — Dog Parks & Off-leash Areas (Gamma/Reed Street, Marsalli)
- City of Santa Clara — Larry J. Marsalli Park
- Santa Clara County Parks — Dogs in County Parks (Hellyer)
- Santa Clara County Parks — Ed R. Levin County Park
- City of Campbell — Dog-Friendly Parks & Facilities (Los Gatos Creek)
- City of Mountain View — Dogs in City Parks (Rengstorff, Village Green)
- City of San José — Roy M. Butcher Park
- City of San José — Saratoga Creek Dog Park
- City of Cupertino — Dog Parks (Mary Avenue)
- City of Milpitas — Dog Park at Ed R. Levin
