The Best Dog-Friendly Spots in Concord
Ready for a dog-friendly vacation in the scenic town of Concord, California, just 30 miles west of San Francisco? Pack the leash and dig into these recommended spots for a great getaway.
When it comes to dog-friendly travel, the city of Concord is on board with the growing trend of hotels, restaurants, and other establishments welcoming four-legged guests, too. After all, like many cities in California, Concord residents love their dogs—so why should visitors to this East Bay destination have to leave theirs behind? Choose from several dog-friendly hotels for your stay, and plenty of restaurants and parks in Concord welcome dogs to come along and enjoy the urban attractions and adventure hotspots of Concord and the East Bay. Ready for a dog-friendly vacation in this scenic town just 30 miles west of San Francisco? Pack the leash and dig into these recommended spots.
Trails and Parks
When it comes to outdoor spaces, Concord is filled with excellent options for spending time with your dog.
Baldwin Dog Park
Located in 18-acre John. F Baldwin Park, the Baldwin Dog Park is an off-leash dog play area in northern Concord (north of Bonifacio Street and east of Port Chicago Highway). Open daily except Tuesdays from dawn to dusk, the park allows two dogs per owner. Dogs must wear their tags and be under voice control of their owners at all times. The dog park offers a separate area exclusively for small dogs (30 pounds and under), though owners can take their small dogs into the larger dog area if they wish. Dogs are allowed on leash throughout the rest of this public park, which has picnic tables, basketball courts, bocce courts, and a playground.
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The Paw Patch
The 126-acre Newhall Community Park features a spacious, fenced dog park called The Paw Patch. Supervised dogs can enjoy off-leash exercise from dawn to dusk six days a week (closed Wednesdays for maintenance). Owners are allowed two dogs each, and they must clean up after their pets. Similar to Baldwin Dog Park, dogs weighing less than 30 pounds can play in the small dog section and are welcome in the larger dog play area at their owner’s discretion. Visitors can access the Newhall Community Park via Newhall Parkway south of Clayton Road or from Turtle Creek Road.
Lime Ridge Open Space
Encompassing 1,226 acres of undeveloped ridgeline in Concord and Walnut Creek, Lime Ridge Open Space offers dog-friendly hiking and mountain biking trails in portions of the park. Dogs are welcome on all trails in the North Lime Ridge area, which includes everything north of Ygnacio Valley Road, but they are not allowed in the South Lime Ridge area. Visitors to North Lime Ridge can hike or mountain bike with their dogs off leash under adequate voice and sight command. Rangers suggest keeping your dog on leash if they don’t have reliable recall and off-leash manners.
Shell Ridge Open Space
Located close to downtown Walnut Creek, this 1,420-acre open space boasts 31 miles of dog-friendly trails. Hikers, bikers, and equestrians share the trails throughout the rolling ridgelines and valleys of Shell Ridge. Park rangers recommend keeping dogs on leash as you enjoy the trails, since wildlife and cattle frequent the area. However, the park does allow visitors to let dogs off leash if they have reliable voice and sight control. Shell Ridge Open Space offers an excellent alternative to nearby Mount Diablo State Park, which does not allow dogs on its trails.
Briones Regional Park
Running along the western edge of Concord, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek, this lush regional park spans 6,255 acres of oak-covered hillsides and canyons that four-legged adventurers will love to explore as much as their owners. The park features plenty of scenic trails ideal for hiking or running with your canine companion. Dogs can be off leash under positive voice control throughout much of the park, though certain trails require dogs to be on leash. Posted signs within the park designate these leash-required zones. Visitors pay a fee of $2 per dog at Briones Regional Park (a $3 parking fee also applies).
Restaurants and Bars
Ready to relax and refuel after exploring the outdoors around Concord? These dog-friendly restaurants in town are your best bets.
Grant Street Pub & Pizzeria
Just one block over from downtown Concord’s bustling Todos Santos Plaza, Grant Street Pub & Pizzeria is a great spot to enjoy lunch or dinner with your pup by your side. The restaurant allows on-leash dogs on the shaded patio, where you can chow down on artisanal wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and mouth-watering pub fare—get the loaded fries or the beef short ribs and try to ignore your dog’s jealous stares.
Hop Grenade Taproom
Home to one of the most impressive beer lists in Concord, Hop Grenade welcomes dog owners to relax and enjoy a pint at their dog-friendly outdoor tables. A spacious patio area affords a lively social atmosphere, especially with friendly locals admiring your pup. Settle in with a cold one or a tasting flight of craft beer and soak up the ambiance.
Tower Grille
Another staple of the Todos Santos Plaza restaurant and bar scene, Tower Grille specializes in classic American fare. Dogs can join you on leash at any of the shaded sidewalk tables while choose from an extensive menu of burgers, sandwiches, pasta entrees, small bites, and salads.
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Not surprisingly, the Lazy Dog is extra-friendly to four-legged companions—not only are dogs welcome on the patio, but the restaurant even boasts a dog menu (choose from grilled chicken breast or hamburger patty with rice). For the humans in the group, the restaurant serves up modern American cuisine, with pizza, burgers, and pasta, plus several gluten-free options and an extensive kids menu.
Epidemic Ales
For beer lovers, Epidemic Ales is a must-stop on any trip to Concord. The dog-friendly taproom features at least a half dozen of its offerings, all made on premises in the 5,000-square-foot facility. No matter your taste in beer, you’ll find something to love, from dark to fruity to malty. A crowd favorite is Nightshade, a vanilla stout aged in a bourbon barrel. Food trucks are available most nights to grab a bite, and a big-screen TV and board games round out the laid-back vibe.
Concord Tap House
Located in midtown Concord, this tap house features two dozen beers on tap, with a rotating lineup almost exclusively from California and Oregon breweries. It’s a good option for wine lovers as well, with both a red and white tasting flight available, plus a well-curated list of glasses and bottles. Dogs are welcome on the patio, where you can also sample from a menu that includes tasty pub favorites like sausages, tater tots, wings, and sliders.
Hotels
No need to board your four-legged buddy while you spend the weekend in Concord. These dog-friendly hotels are just the spot for everyone to bed down.
Hilton Concord
This contemporary hotel allows guests to bring along their furry friends for a non-refundable fee of $50 per dog, per stay. Dogs weighing up to 75 pounds are welcome in all of the room options, from the standard double room to executive suites to ADA-accessible rooms. Service animals are also allowed.
Concord Plaza
Dogs weighing up to 60 pounds are welcome to stay at the relaxed luxury of the Concord Plaza. Hotel guests are limited to two pets at a non-refundable fee of $100 per dog. Only rooms on the first floor are pet-friendly, so it’s recommended to book in advance to ensure you can snag one.
Premier Inns Concord
Located on Concord Avenue just west of Todos Santos Plaza, the Premier Inns features 136 comfortable rooms, all with free Wi-Fi. Pet-friendly accommodations are available for both overnights and extended stays.
Motel 6 Concord
Kids and pets stay free at this motel just a few blocks from Concord Community Park. Other perks include an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary morning coffee.
Studio 6
This extended stay hotel features 42 guest rooms fully equipped with kitchens. You’ll also find a fitness center and laundry facilities, plus free breakfast. It’s close to Concord attractions including the Sunvalley Shopping Center, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, and the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Visitors with dogs are charged $10 per day, up to a maximum of $50 per stay.
Written by Jenna Herzog for Matcha in partnership with Visit Concord.