Dog Walking in San Francisco: what to know
Walkers often combine a neighbourhood loop with time in a dog play area. Tell them how your dog does with hills, off-lead dogs and the wind at the beach.
Where to walk dogs in San Francisco
- Fort Funston — Bluffs and beach popular with dog walkers; follow the posted rules for lead and off-lead areas.
- Crissy Field — Flat bay paths with Golden Gate views; lead rules vary by section.
- Golden Gate Park — Large park with designated dog play areas.
- Dolores Park — A busy, sociable park in the Mission.
- Bernal Heights Park — Open hilltop with city views, popular for off-lead time.
Weather and seasons in San Francisco
San Francisco is mild all year, rarely very hot or very cold. Summer fog and wind can make the west side chilly, while the eastern neighbourhoods are often sunny. The occasional autumn heat spell and wildfire smoke from elsewhere in California are the main weather risks.
Planning around the seasons
Pack a light coat for small or short-haired dogs on foggy, windy days near the ocean and the bay.
On hot autumn days or when air quality is poor, keep walks short and indoors play longer — your walker can adjust in the chat.
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 San Francisco — FAQ
Is dog walking available in San Francisco?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including San Francisco. 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 San Francisco?
Dog walkers in San Francisco 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.
Where can dogs be off-lead in San Francisco?
In the city's designated dog play areas and in parts of federal parkland such as Fort Funston. Rules differ by park and section, so follow the posted signs.
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.
