Dog Walking in Los Angeles: what to know
Walks in LA often mean neighbourhood loops or a short drive to a trail. Say whether you are happy for your walker to drive your dog, and keep summer walks to the cool parts of the day.
Where to walk dogs in Los Angeles
- Griffith Park — Miles of trails; dogs must be on a lead, and summer afternoons on exposed trails get very hot.
- Runyon Canyon Park — A popular hike with dogs in the Hollywood Hills — follow the posted lead signs and bring water.
- Laurel Canyon Dog Park — A long-standing fenced off-lead park in the Studio City hills.
- Silver Lake Dog Park — A busy neighbourhood dog park next to the reservoir path.
- Rosie's Dog Beach (Long Beach) — An official off-lead dog beach — one of the few places in the region where dogs can be on the sand.
Weather and seasons in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is sunny and dry for much of the year. Summer and early autumn heat can be intense inland — the Valley is often far hotter than the beaches — and Santa Ana winds can bring hot, dry days and occasional wildfire smoke. Winters are mild with some rain.
Planning around the seasons
From June to October, walk early or late, avoid exposed trails in the afternoon and keep pets indoors on days with poor air quality.
In spring and summer, check paws, ears and coats after walks for foxtails — barbed grass seeds that can work their way into skin.
Before you book
Walkers can offer extras such as photo updates, a report card, pick-up from home or an extra 30 minutes — you see what each walker offers before booking.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Dog Walking in Los Angeles — FAQ
Is dog walking available in Los Angeles?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Los Angeles. Because it's a marketplace, the dog walkers you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does dog walking cost in Los Angeles?
Dog walkers in Los Angeles set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
Can I take my dog to the beach in Los Angeles?
Most beaches in the area do not allow dogs. Rosie's Dog Beach in Long Beach is an official off-lead dog beach; elsewhere, check the signs before you go.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
