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    Half Moon Bay Dog Park

    3.9 (18 reviews)

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    Charlie gives it four stars!
    Scott H.

    Here during the eclipse - overcast and cold, as I expected. A nice little park with a comfy hut to hide from the cold. Nice people and dogs. There's a nice view of the town and the hills but you can't see the ocean from here. No separate small dog area. This is a very handy place to know if you're traveling up or down Highway 1 with your dog. It's only a minute off the freeway and a convenient place for your friend to stretch the legs out and do what they need to.

    Half Moon Bay Dog Park.
    Lesley R.

    Messed up older, dog walker woman with a visor who drives an orange Honda Element who talks in a whiny, unauthoritive voice has been there the last two times I've gone. Two of her "charges" has threatened to attack me (snarling, backing me into a corner, chasing me down without warning). One was a black lab named Skippy (?) and today a whitish, blue healer with a cropped tail and a human name like Louie, or something. The dog walker kept telling the healer to "be nice" which usually means the dog has not been "nice" in the past. Because it is apparently her job? there is no safe time to go without her there. Therefore ignore all the good parts in my initial review (below). In my 51 dog parks I have never left instantly due to my safety being at risk. What is scariest is that people appear to hire her to SOLIDIFY bad behavior in their dog. This is a major wow moment for me. ~10,000+ hours in dog parks has NEVER yielded this. The woman does nothing but talk AT the dogs (of course they don't listen) and only restrained the black lab after 3 attempted attacks on me and 3 times demanding her to restrain the dog. She restrained the dog for 2 minutes then released it again to do it all over again. If you must go: Don't ever go in if that orange Honda Element is there and prepare to exit out side gate if she comes after you. You will have to repeat directives several times in order for her to restrain a given dog but it will likely only be for a couple minutes. Leave instantly if anything out of the ordinary happens like when I threw a ball for my dog and her whitish healer lunged at me. Or go onto the side yard by yourself which is fenced in. Narrow, no water there, no tennis balls but you won't get bit. Worst dog park day ever. And coming from me? THAT is saying something. ....... Smith Field Coastside Dog Park aka Half Moon Bay Dog Park. Excellent experience at this hidden gem of a dog park. It has one "all dog" enclosure (it is not separated into separate sections). We went one time on a Friday evening at 5pm in the month of August. We were driving through, found it, loved it, will go back. To get there: turn on Wavecrest Rd. at the "British Pub and B&B" (with the double decker bus) and go down the lane to the clear signs, then turn right. This dog park appears to be created and taken care of by a group of people and not a city or county. This makes it a better experience, IMO -- not a "I will call and complain and someone else will do it". I love the fact that the wood chips take almost no upkeep and makes the place smell nice. Wood chips tend to wash out better than fake turf and not stink. Grass takes upkeep which does not happen on a volunteer basis so to make it work wood chips is usually the way to go. Our first dog park was an all volunteer dog park (including rent cost) so I am familiar with this kind. Very friendly people, friendly dogs of all sizes (and lots of them), picnic tables, lots of tennis balls, a killer 6 foot fence (dogs are not getting out), double gate system, high end, stainless steel water buckets with fresh water in them. It has what, I guess, is a "time out" crate that a dog can go to to chill but no one needed it. It has a dog run on the side for dogs who do not necessarily belong in with other dogs but still love to run the fence. My dog did not partake in the fence running with one dog in it but had no problem with it. Wishes? Having been to some 40 dog parks I do have a few of those: That the great picnic tables were spread out a bit more maybe with one on the far side to break it up a bit, that the cute little house is in the corner so my dog can't go behind it where I can't see and have to follow to watch him (which I do, but others may not). Less of the wood chips (it is around 2 ft high) due to it being able to compost, and also not being able to take advantage of a rare 6 ft fence. That people would throw away the broken tennis balls so dogs don't chew on them. If you want a manicured, grassy experience maybe this is not the place for you. If you want a clean, community experience where dogs have a blast together? This is the place for you. This is our 38th dog park in two years. I have no hesitation giving it 5 stars and will definitely go back.

    Marcia R.

    The Half Moon Bay Dog Park is located off Wavecrest Avenue by Smith Field. It's a wonderful place to take your dog for playing, exercising and socialization (for people and dogs alike!). The park was renovated this past year and great improvements were made including new decking, fencing and running water. Scoops and biodegradable pick-up bags are available so the park is Eco-friendly. It has a ample seating on the deck and around picnic tables. There is also a shed for two-legged visitors during windy or damp weather. The park was established by volunteers over 10 years ago. It has a friendly atmosphere and is a great place to meet other like-minded dog lovers who genuinely appreciate the opportunity to socialize and exercise their dogs in an off-leash area.

    The ground is all eucalyptus wood chips

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    Review Highlights - Half Moon Bay Dog Park

    Thanks to Yelp, I was exposed to HMB dog park, probably 1 of the better dog parks in the bay area.

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    John L Carter Memorial Park - Picnic area

    John L Carter Memorial Park

    4.5(2 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    This park has been beautifully renovated and feels clean, open, and inviting. The updated picnic…read moreareas under the redwoods are peaceful and get great natural light in the late afternoon. The new amphitheater space looks modern and well-designed, with plenty of seating and wide walkways that make the whole area easy to navigate.The improvements definitely make the park feel refreshed and much more usable.

    A small, quaint park tucked away behind Main Street, near the historic bridge…read more This park is named in honor of the founding father and first mayor of the City of Half Moon Bay, John L. Carter. A gentle concrete ramp will take you down along the park's circular perimeter to the interior of the park, where three stone benches form a large open circle. Redwood trees flank the park on one side, and a dirt path takes you through a small grassy space. Traffic noise is reduced to a low level due to landscaping. More noticeable is the pleasant chirping of birds from the trees above. The park is a little dilapidated with a single water fountain that doesn't work, and a statue of a man holding a pumpkin that is chipped and cracked. The landscaping, however, appears to be well-maintained. The park sign is along Main Street, but the interior is not visible from the road. Consequently, this park doesn't seem to get much foot traffic and is a place of tranquility, where a traveler can rest and momentarily forget about the cares of life.

    Photos
    John L Carter Memorial Park - Open space

    Open space

    John L Carter Memorial Park - Amphitheatre

    Amphitheatre

    John L Carter Memorial Park - Picnic area

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    Picnic area

    Skyline Park

    Skyline Park

    4.2(14 reviews)
    9.2 mi

    This is our favorite dog park in the SF area! The owners are usually responsible and make sure…read moretheir dogs are being good. There aren't that many "forgotten" dog droppings. Also, there is so much space for your dog to run around! The only con is that it's quite hilly and can get muddy after rain. The water fountain is down a slope and I almost slip every single time we go.

    How is this place less than 10 minutes from my house and I never knew? My dogs have never been to a…read moredog park so I was a little apprehensive. I was also concerned because there is no division for small and large dogs and my dogs are small. I came on a Sunday around 1pm and it was not crowded at all and I easily found parking on the street. I have to say, the park is beautiful. There are a few picnic tables but be warned, if it is a hot day there is no shade at the tables. That being said, there is plenty of shade in other areas just no where to sit if you need to. There is a water fountain for the dogs and trash cans at the entrance. Thank goodness! No having to put used poo bags in the car for the ride home. It is great to walk around the park but keep in mind it is on a hill. I can also imagine this place gets very muddy in the winter. We found all the people there to be friendly as well as the dogs. Most of the dogs there that day were big dogs but my dogs did manage to find some that would play with them.

    Photos
    Skyline Park
    Skyline Park - This is how you would walk to the water.

    This is how you would walk to the water.

    Skyline Park - View from lower side of park looking up the hillside with gravel pathway that slopes up from right to left

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    View from lower side of park looking up the hillside with gravel pathway that slopes up from right to left

    Moss Beach Park

    Moss Beach Park

    4.7(14 reviews)
    6.9 mi

    A wonderful place for a pacific-side hike... cliffs and dunes, topped by a unique cypress tree…read moreforest of weathered and worn trees. The trees form a large covered pathway reminiscent of the arches of a large cathedral. We were there in late summer, on a day when the fog was hugging the shore and creating an eerie atmosphere... it made for a beautiful atmosphere so typical of this shore. Parking wasn't an issue as we were there on a Saturday morning. I imagine this gets busier later in the day.... looks like it might be a very popular spot for picnics. The pathways are well maintained, and you get great access to this unique ecosystem. Make sure you hike to the top of the cliff and walk into the "cypress tree tunnels" to see what I'm talking about... it's a beautiful place.

    Beautiful beach just down the cliff from Moss Beach Distillery. "Just" down the cliff. You can get…read morean amazing view of the beach from the Distillery parking lot by hiking along a ridge, but I suggest you take the stairs on Cypress Road to actually set your feet on the sand. There's plenty of free parking around the Distillery (don't tell them I sent you) and the residential streets nearby (REALLY don't tell them I sent you). I hope you've been practicing your parallel parking though! This beach is a great place for little ones and anyone with a fascination with marine bio. The seaweed covered rocks create little tidepools that are home to many a ocean-faring creature - anemones (look out for the squishy green ones exposed to air!), hermit crabs, sea stars, and supposedly seals (don't hold your breath though). If sandy shoes aren't your thing, keep going past the stairs and the trailhead and walk along the soft dirt trail. Follow the fence for some gorgeous views of the sea, and eventually you'll come to a gently downsloping road to the tip of the rocky beach. Photo-op anyone?

    Photos
    Moss Beach Park - Kids' Play Area - Moss Beach Park

    Kids' Play Area - Moss Beach Park

    Moss Beach Park - Kids' Play Area - Moss Beach Park

    Kids' Play Area - Moss Beach Park

    Moss Beach Park - Kids' Play Area - Moss Beach Park

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    Kids' Play Area - Moss Beach Park

    Centennial Way Dog Park

    Centennial Way Dog Park

    4.1(162 reviews)
    14.2 mi

    Lots of space for your fur baby to run around. There are two parks, one for dogs under 25pounds and…read more one for larger dogs, but not everyone honors it.The park is large, and it could also mean a high chance of dealing with irresponsible owners that doesn't watch their dogs or picks up their dog's feces. I have encountered aggressive dogs that picks on or constantly humps my dog with the owner nowhere to be found and this is me with a neutered 90pound huskymix. On most days, there's a lot of friendly and playful dogs too. While it is nice on a sunny day, the area surrounding near the AstroTurf puddles up and forms a muddy mess. I like the paved pathway around the park, although it's been covered up with tanbark during my last visit. When there are uncontrollable dogs at the park, I like to walk far away from the trouble while my puppers follow while exploring at the same time. I just wished that there more shaded areas across the dog park because it gets crowded in the small shaded area on sunny days.

    Brought my 9 month old puppy that is130 lbs+ English Mastiff that has size but still the mentality…read moreof a puppy. First time he was chased out by older and aggressive dogs and thought it was just a bad owner that wasn't paying attention. Went again tonight (with a hired trainer) and experienced the same. Our dog is not aggressive (puppy) accept to defend itself. Trainer wasn't happy with the aggressive dogs and slow reacting owners. Not going back. Unless you can make your way into there "club", I wouldn't recommend - at least after 4:00. Think I'll bring him back when he has matured and 200 lbs and see what he remembers.

    Photos
    Centennial Way Dog Park - Smaller dog park

    Smaller dog park

    Centennial Way Dog Park - Smaller dog park

    Smaller dog park

    Centennial Way Dog Park - Puppy

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    Puppy

    Sanchez Dog Park at the Pacifica Center for the Arts

    Sanchez Dog Park at the Pacifica Center for the Arts

    3.0(20 reviews)
    9.8 mi

    A no frills ,safe place ,to run your pup around ! Has water . Has a divided area for smaller dogs…read moreif you prefer . Lots of extra balls . I'm told it's muddy after the rain . The four dogs, and owners, I encountered were great , but one did report someone hitting her little dog during a tuffle , so be alert to that !

    What prompted me in particular to write this update to my original review is that I just visited a…read morefriend in Sacramento where there is a nice dog park with a wonderful surface, which I believe is decomposed granite. I wanted to share some photos of the surface right after it rained, see attached. Despite the wet grounds, no mud, and we've been on this surface before when it's completely dry and the amount of dust created is extremely minimal to none -- both scenarios, a deep contrast to our dog park. This is the only surface (other than grass, astroturf or wood chips) that should ever be used for a dog park. I realize this is water under the bridge now, but boy do I wish our Parks Dept did a bit more research into ground cover for our park before putting in the current way-too-dusty, way-too-muddy-post-rain surface. Dog owners, occupants of the Art Center, and neighbors alike would have had, at the very least, one less thing to complain about -- and a lot more to be happy about. Alas.

    Photos
    Sanchez Dog Park at the Pacifica Center for the Arts - Another Yelp user's dog's paw on decomposed granite surface after a heavy rain at a Sacramento dog park -- no mud here!

    Another Yelp user's dog's paw on decomposed granite surface after a heavy rain at a Sacramento dog park -- no mud here!

    Sanchez Dog Park at the Pacifica Center for the Arts - My dog's paw in Sacramento dog park's decomposed granite surface after a rain -- you can barely see it.

    My dog's paw in Sacramento dog park's decomposed granite surface after a rain -- you can barely see it.

    Sanchez Dog Park at the Pacifica Center for the Arts - LongLong @ Pacifica dog park

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    LongLong @ Pacifica dog park

    Half Moon Bay Dog Park - dog_parks - Updated September 2026

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