Doggin’ Around SOMA

By Kim Legocki

What do you love about SOMA? Weather? Tech vibe? New housing? Location?

Here’s what I love … dogs! Except for maybe the Castro, I challenge any district to call itself as dog-friendly as SOMA.

Since our condos don’t come with backyards, I compiled a list of great places to walk your dog and meet other pup parents.  Josie poodle and I have personally checked these out on your behalf.  Couple a visit to one of these parks with dinner at a dog-friendly restaurant for a yapping good time!

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Rincon Park

Rincon Park

Its FourSquare description (because we all check-in at dog parks, right?) says it’s “pet friendly” and a “dog run”.   I concur that it’s a doggie haven, but it’s not what I consider a true dog run, because it’s not fenced. Beautiful views of the bay, Bay Bridge, “Cupid’s Span”, but right beside traffic-laden Embarcadero. Take care if you let your dog off-leash.  Locals bring their pups after work for an informal ‘yappy hour.’ No bags available so bring your own.

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Mission Creek Dog Park

Mission Creek Park and Dog Run

Where: Mission Creek (at Berry St.) between Fourth and Seventh Streets

For a nice route with your pup, take a walk down 4^th Street towards the Caltrain depot. Grab a cup of coffee at Philz at 4^th and King Street, go past the library and turn right when you reach the water. Take a shady stroll along the water to see birds, kayakers and houseboats.  Despite the temptation, dogs must be kept on leash until you reach the fenced dog park where your pup can play off leash.  A friendly little group assembles on Friday evenings. Say hey if you see Josie and me! Bags available.

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Victoria Manalo Draves Park

Victoria Manalo Draves Park

A rare oasis that is both kid- and dog- friendly!  The park is named after a local San Francisco Olympian who won two gold medals at the 1948 games in London. The playground area is fenced off to help ensure poop stays on the dog side. Dogs are supposed to remain on leash but… Keep in mind that the park has 2 or 3 entrances so dogs could run out into traffic. Great dog community helps keep the park clean and sociable. No   bags available so bring your own.

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South Beach

South Beach Harbor

Do yourself a favor, and take a walk along the harbor during the next Giants game. The vibe and energy are contagious! There’s a large dog friendly green space from the stadium to almost the Bay Bridge. The only exception is the grass in front of the Yacht Club (you can’t miss their “no dog signs”).  Bags available.

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South Park

South Park

Another kid- and dog-friendly place! This park is beautifully located among businesses and residences with a colonial meets contemporary feel. No surprise, since SF sugar and iron magnate George Gordon proposed in 1854 to create “ornamental grounds and building lots on the plan of the London Squares …” We like to pick up spicy pork kimchi burritos from HRD (521 3rd St at Bryant) and walk around the corner to picnic here with our dog.  Nicely landscaped and generally pretty clean.  We’ve seen more homeless people here than at other parks. No bags available so bring your own.

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303 Second Street Plaza

It’s officially an office park, but it has several coffee places, outside tables and enough draw from local dog people that it’s worth a mention. No bags available so bring your own.

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Did I forget your favorite dog-friendly park? Comment below and I’ll be sure to give it a shout out in a future blog or newsletter.

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SOMA resident Kim Legocki works as a social media director at a local university to pay for dining and city adventures with her hubby and poodle, Josie.  She and Josie are also the new SF community “yappers” for Yapsie.com, a new start-up focused on bringing together dog lovers and locally-owned businesses. Register on the site to receive their bi-weekly SF dog newsletter and join them at the Yapsie SOMA Pupcrawl on August 13^th. You can also follow her on Twitter @kimlegocki.