Fort Funston

Dog dog dog dog, dog dog dog, dog dog. Dog dog, dog dog dog.

Love to come here with dogs!!! Great place for dogs to socialize. On a nice day, this place can be very packed and hard to find parking. You can come here for picnic or just hang out. If you have a dog/​dogs, do make sure to bring your pet here. You get to meet ppl and your pets get to mingle!
Ps: Ppl come here for gliding too lol I wanted to try but it looks pretty dangerous lol

Fort FUNston is where you take your dog to have FUN — lots of dogs there! There’s a big lot for parking and a trail with a nice view of the ocean down to the beach. Kobe had a blast playing on the sand and dipping in the water. We stayed until sunset and it was beautiful. Favorite beach trail to take my dog!

Dog people are the best people. And the best dog people seem to all be at this dog heaven beach.
Lola, my 60 lb athletic and playful GS, hurt her shoulder there in a freak accident yesterday, and as I was panicking and she was in excruciating pain, people just stopped their activities and came to our aid.
Someone helped call my wife and tell her where to bring the car, .someone brought their blanket and made it into a stretcher, … someone carried my stuff, … people grabbed a corner and walked the long distance to the stairs, and then all the way up the stairs, with reinforcements to take turn carrying her, while I was trying to keep her calm. Someone told me about the vet emergency hospitals nearby, then called and made sure to find one open (Nor Cal Veterinary Emergency and Specialty) told them we were coming …
Lola is better now, no broken bones as far as the vet could see with exams and x-​rays, … she has most likely has soft tissue damage which should heal with time.
Thank you all so much,. who helped us and who wished us well. You make all the difference in this beautiful place. I am amazed and truly humbled by the humanity … We will come back to this heaven soon.

Of all the dog parks/​dog beaches I’ve been to, Fort Funston definitely ranks among the top 3!
Lots of parking, plenty of poop bags along the way, water station for your pup, lovely views to be seen, but most importantly for me are the dog owners. Everyone is on the same level about cleanliness and picking up after their dog! I did not see any surprises left behind! All very well behaved doggies too! My dog had the most wonderful time and I felt very safe with him there being off leash. Will definitely return!

Don’t have a dog :(… Yet!
But used to come here often with my aunt and cousin to take their dogs out! :)
And it would be very lovely seeing them make friends and playing with the other pups.
Not only that, but coming here also equals such a nice scenic walk! From going on different trails and looking at the trees and getting beautiful views of the ocean! Most pleasing when it’s nice out. This is also a place that can be fun for kids! Let them run around together and «explore»! You’ll love it… They’ll love it. Just as much as the dogs hahah.

If I had a dog, I would come here more often.
If I had kids, I would come here more often.
If I lived walking distance, I would come here more often.
When I’m old and my only friend is my shadow, I will come here.
Some areas were more secluded than others. We came here to run up and down sand dunes trying to get our work out on.
Nice, clean area with a great view of the beach.

This PLACE! I wish my dog could write a review because she would be raving. We came here after missing the exit for the golden gate dog park. Our sheepdog mix, loved the park. There is tons of beach area to explore and if you are agile you can jump down the small sand cliff to the beach area which is mostly empty. I am excited to go back and explore this dog beach more.
A bit of advice to dog owners– to dogs, a tennis ball is a communal good. If you come to a dog park with any toy, prepare to leave with no toy.

My boyfriend and I have found our favorite get away for our two boys Kain D (German Shepard) and Rowdy Boy (Boxer) I brought these 3 here for their first time and we loved it.
We started off down the hill more from the entrance and parked there on the side of the freeway. We walked up the hill (opposite ofFort Funston) to where there’s open fields were Kain and Rowdy met many other playful dogs and laid back owners. We went passed everyone up a few of the cliffs and came across one of the forts as well as the end of the cliffs which showcased the beautiful beach below as well as some forts.
We then walked back to the car and drove into the Fort Funston parking and made our way down to the beach. There are different ways down and of course we took the complicated way (near the smaller parking section from the main one you will see on your right when you pull in) which was more exciting for me and the boys. The beach had many other dogs there to play with and all the owners are super friendly towards everyone and their dogs. Kain and Rowdy couldn’t even stay within reach because they loved how much open space there was and how playful all the other dogs are.
Going up, we took the stairs. This place is literally a dog heaven on earth. I would rather bring these two here than to a dog park!

I totally loved it! It’s just too bad that I live in San Jose and can’t go up here as much as I would want to…
I went here on a cloudy, and a bit of a foggy day but even so. I was so amazed on how cool and beautiful this place was! It was so green. I felt as if I was in a different world when I stepped outta the car haha. It definitely is a doggie heaven where all the dogs just run freely, interact and play with each other. There are many paths to explore! The cliffs can be dangerously exhilarating. The beach is walking distance (Which was unfortunately closed that day due to the weather.): But it’s okay because I still really enjoyed the view.) The sand provides a good workout too! They also have historical stuff from the war which I thought was really cool and interesting.
Definitely coming back!

Fort Funston is as fun and beautiful as you would expect from the best dog park in the world.
My dogs and I entered the park through the Lake Merced parking lot and hiked down the path towards San Francisco. Along the way, we saw tons of well behaved dogs and children, friendly people, and some of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen in the Bay so far.
Fort Funston does provide a water fountain for people and pets near the Lake Merced entrance and some of the paths are paved, but I did find it difficult to find a path that led to the actual beach due to a lack of signage and me not thinking to bring a map of the place. I also recommend bringing plenty of dog waste bags as well as a vessel to carry used bags in, as I didn’t see any trash cans along the trails.
Also as a heads up, the beach access trail near the Lake Merced entrance is actually closed for the winter season, and so to access the beach you should head to the trail closest to Fort Funston’s official parking lot.
Overall, this is a fantastic place and I’m going to try to take my little buddies here as often as I can!

Doggy island ! Live near by and there’s a dog community here. People are usually very friendly. Many different breeds of dogs ! Me and my wife try to come every month with our lovely Darwin ! There’s a beach that he loves to swim in it. Recommended for all friendly dogs!

Its a great beach but godammn~! That climb back up the sand stairs is punishing. better be pretty fit or take lots of breaks…

I LOVE this place. This is perhaps the best place in the city to take your dog. It is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area so a good part of it is off leash (voice control). Plenty of dogs around for your pup to play with and most of the owners are responsible and aware of their four legged friends. There are plenty of paths to explore and a beach for your pup to enjoy. The tide can affect your experience as it can come up pretty high and could prevent you from walking from one end to the other. The paths up/​down to the beach is a good workout for most and made more challenging because they are covered in sand. Plenty of free parking — I never had any problems on the weekend. Water fountains and trash bins are by the main parking lot — bring your own poop bags.
Be careful of the cliffs though as the drop off can be steep and there are reports of erosion. This area can also be pretty windy so a jacket may be needed.

This place to dogs would be what the city is to me. Huge, foggy, and plenty of room to get in trouble. I take my dog here occasionally to let him rip through the sand and concrete trails unleashed. He loves it so much here, and I think it’s much safer here than at Bernal Heights Park.
We walk down the Thornton beach where Bailey has no clue how to deal with the water, but enjoys the nice breeze and sand in his paws. For any dog lover that has a social dog, take them here. They’ll love it.

I regrettably don’t come out to Fort Funston too often anymore, with the passing of my beloved 15-​year old Labrador (Lira) last July. However, I have some wonderful memories of Fort Funston, from both my childhood and dog-​hood days.
THE HIGHLIGHTS.
+ Large, open space with a good number of trails to explore
+ No leashes required (although I’d be careful around the cliff trail with your pup, as there have been some tragic deaths for both humans and animals there)
+ Strong community of dog walkers (and you eventually get to know quite a few pups/​humans through your walks here)
+ There’s a water fountain near the middle-​ish of the main trail, and many local dog walkers have donated bowls to keep every pup well hydrated
+ Absolutely gorgeous views, with beach access via either a loooooong wooden-​slatted stairway, or a steep sandy slope (dogs have been known to ditch their owners and run to the ocean here, with no intention of turning back, usually!)
— There are some cat tails scattered around this place, which can be deadly to your dog if inhaled through the nose. Be informed and cautious.
Fort Funston has a special place in my heart, and I wish every other dog owner happy memories here, as well.

This is my dog’s favorite spot in SF. Fort Funston is full of happy dogs running around having fun. If you are a dog lover in the Bay area, be sure to visit Fort Funston!!!

A beautiful place that is a dog lovers dream! The beach is an incline down from where parking is and you just follow a some sandy steps and happy dogs down to the beach.
There you will find beautiful coastline and a beach where dogs roam off leash. We loved walking along it and so did our dog.
One thing we didn’t like was that horses were also down there and caused a stir within the dogs. I guess it’s an animal friendly beach!

For over three years, we have been coming to Fort Funston! This is a dog heaven place, and I hope it will continue to be an off leash dog beach because our dogs, truly enjoy running freely and jumping into the water, over and over again. They also love meeting all the nice dogs and owners alike, who too, enjoys the serene and peaceful view of the ocean.
I take advantage of coming here to exercise not just my dogs, but to shed a few «Pillsbury» belly fat off my waist, and challenge myself every time to run up the sandy hill. What’s really cool about Fort Funston, there are always people around even on foggy days. But on a clear and warm afternoon, you will find many hand gliders up above, dog walkers and even tourists simply enjoying what San Francisco Beach has to offer. Fort Funston truly is a magical place both for the humans and their dogs too.
Until then, Cheers! ~ :p

I wouldn’t call this spot a hike but it’s more of a nice, sandy dog park. You park at the top and walk down these steps that are mostly covered with sand. As you descend the stairs, it’s a bit of a stop and wait while others ahead of you try to navigate down. I wore sneakers and really should’ve worn sandals since with every step, your foot gets lost in a pile of sand. Meanwhile the dogs are having a grand time running down trying to quickly make it to the beach.
At the bottom of the hill is doggie paradise! Dogs of all sizes are running freely, catching balls and rushing straight into the oncoming waves. Bring a sweater since it can get quite chilly and windy. A nice outdoor adventure for your four-​legged friends.

Doggie oasis within city limits… need I say more? This is an AWESOME place to bring your dog to socialize or just for a scenic little hike/​walk along the beach. So many awesome dogs and places for dogs to sniff. My little ones love going here and romping around for hours. There are a couple water spouts for parched pooches, in addition to trash receptacles for waste products.
Highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes with a bit of a grip, especially if you plan on trekking down to the beach. Be forewarned: there’s a crazy incline to climb from the beach, so be ready to engage those glutes and hamstring muscles!

This is the perfect place to take your dog! Off-​leash and a beach nearby.
My friend took me here with his dog and found a weird parking at the bottom near an intersection. It looked like an unfinished road so only about 4 cars could park there. We walked up the hill and found ourselves at the top of Fort Funston.
Very beautiful. Highly recommended. Bring your camera, perfect place to take pictures as well!

Great place to take an easy hike and take in some fresh air.
We were looking for an easy hike and this place came up. The name of the park sounds exciting enough — Fort and Fun-​ston.
Just 10+mins away from Daly City. They have a decent sized parking lot with easy access to the trail heads.
All trails are easy with minimal incline. A highly popular dog park, where dogs have plenty of space to run and many are off leash. If you are afraid of dogs, this is definitely not a park for you. Most of the dogs we come across are very friendly.
The whole trail is very beautiful. One of my favorite trails though a tad too short.
Highly recommended park. just make sure you watch where you step — dog poo everywhere.

Thank you to all the amazing Unilocal reviews!
Came here yesterday with my bf and yorkie for lunch/​beach day.
Parking at the top and bottom and a little trek to the beach. I love off the leash dog beaches and I’m so happy Fort Funston exist. I just moved to the bay and I’ve been looking for dog friendly places and Fort Funston makes it to the top of my list.
If you’re a dog owner it’s def worth a trip and make it part of your free day. I’ll be back for more doggy beach days with our little Ebi.

Loved this place.
Wish I lived closer…
I had seen a few of my fellow Unilocalers check in here, sparked my curiosity and decided I had to go on my next day off… would have brought my dog but wanted to see how it was first… my doggie is a little «special»
As soon as I drove up I was in love…
So peaceful and sceren… Just thinking about it relaxes me .
So all trail failed me and I did not even know where to get started. So I winged it… Ummmm it was good and bad lol I got lost a few times and had to slide down the hill… «Fun» thank God im not afraid of heights
So as Im going up the sandy hills I’m thinking «are you sure you want to do this?» Im not a huge fan of hills lol… Love running down them HATE going up. Love the views … Well as I go up I realize that not only is going up a sandy hill harder than a normal hill it also requires an enormous amount of leg strength.
Oh well I didnt drive an hour and a half to stand around… So worth it … Something so rewarding about making it up and then making it back. I’m sure there are easy routes… like I said I got lost and made up one lol… Well if you want to relax, listen to the waves, breath some freah air this is a good place to go.
All dogs where well behaved… Not sure how my dog would have done… maybe ill take him next time…

This place is dog heaven. So many pretty huskies here.
Walk about 5– 10 minutes down the sand stairs to get to the beach. Walk along the Pacific Ocean and see the tide bring in crabs! Get a good workout returning back up those stairs.
There’s a lookout point by the parking lot. And another walking trail that heads toward Ocean Beach.

My favorite doggy park ever!!! A great place to socialize your pup especially on the week days. There are a bunch of dog walkers who brings large packs of dogs who are well behaved. I have not come in contact with any ill mannered dog owners or dogs yet. The beach there is pretty clean as well. Just a heads up, the stairs back up to the parking lot are KILLERRR!!! I also do not recommend coming on windy days because gusts of sand will hit you like bullets!

I love this place because it’s the only place I know in the bay area that allows dogs on the beach. A beach destination for your fur friends. If I was a dog, I’d love this place too! I mean who doesn’t love being on the beach?
It didn’t take us long to get to the beach also from the parking lot. I liked that. Alot! There’s a few different pathways you could take to get down to the beach.
I saw so many dogs here and if I was a dog, I’d think this place was heaven. We came when the weather was perfect, not too cold and not too hot, just right.
While our fur friends were running around with other dogs, we walked along the beach collecting rocks and sand dollars. We found so much! And I didn’t know that their natural color was purple! I guess once it dies, it turned white. Be careful with these too! Broken sand dollars could be hiding under sand!
I don’t like that we live far away but I love coming here so it’s worth the drive. I get to be around dogs!

Sooooo mmmmaaannnyyyy dooooogs! OMG we found doggy playground heaven. Those stairs though. man I was not ready for that. There are a lot to get down to the beach, so be prepared. Is this where the dog walkers take the pups? If not, they should. If anyone owns a dog, they MUST bring them here.
Just at the border of San Francisco and Daly City, Fort Funston offers at least 5 different hiking trails for both humans and dogs. The crowning feature though to this National park is… the Beach! Duh. Bring the dogs, take the leash off and let them run, bark, frolic, sniff, dig, smell and swim to their hearts delight. They will have the best nights sleep and you a quiet house. If you prefer not to make the trek down the stairs to the water, there is a nice overlook that is just as appealing. The native shrubs and grass nearby will keep fido entertained just the same.
Take heed and mind the decaying animals on the sand such as birds, crabs and fish. Lest fido cover his own coat with that of the water road-​kill — your car will smell the same. Otherwise it’s a great day out with the dogs!

Fort Funston is truly as good as it gets for dogs. It’s truly like doggy heaven, just like everyone says. One huge stretch of beach and trails, too, for you and your dog to explore. It’s endless fun!
In that vein, though, if you’re not sure how your dog will act around a ton of different dogs of all sizes and personalities… leash them first. There’s no shame in doing so! And if your dog isn’t ready for off-​leash time, people will (and rightfully so) let you know what time it is.
I’ve never had a bad experience and almost all of the dog owners are super responsible and their dogs well-​behaved.
The beach itself is huge and you can walk for miles, it seems. It’s not the prettiest beach for human swimming or picnicking, but it’s great for a romp or a game of frisbee with the pooch. Views from the top looking at the coast are just awesome. Especially when the sun decides to come out.
Be smart, be responsible and have many epic adventures together! Woof!

Fort Funston is now in my top 3 off-​leash dog beaches in California — along with Del Mar Dog Beach and Morro Strand (between Morro Bay and Cayucos). This area is beautiful. Lots of trails to walk, dogs walking freely, no poop to be seen. Not at all crowded this Saturday mid-​morning and plenty of parking.
This former Nike missle site was inactivated in 1963 but remnants of the former purpose are visible. The parking area sits at the missle launch site and down at the water level is more structural evidence that are now a canvas for creative artwork (tagging).
The clips are jagged — follow the trails to lets down to the waters beach and there are, supposedly, two sand ladders (pseudo stairs) available and are a good workout heading back up. At the water, the sand is clean; I hear it’s magnetic.
It’s more than drive up, park, and hit the beach. There’s trails and paths and this area is easy to get to (just south of the Zoo).

We have very fond memories coming here in the past enjoying the views of the ocean and watching the hang gliders soar.
It’s been at least ten years since our previous visit. No real reason for not returning.
I think we caught Fort Funston on a bad day. It was very windy so the main trail was closed. There were also dozens of dogs; half of which were pooping up a storm without their owners cleaning up after them… wth?
Mr Rinky braved the winds and walked down one of the open trail.
I stayed in the car and read since I wasn’t dressed for the cold.

Love this place!
I have only been here twice. Once when I was with college when a guy decided to take me on a date here and didn’t tell me so I was wearing unsupportive flats, and another time the other day when a friend suggested with go hiking with our babies in the packs. Easily said the latter was the more fun of the two and because of this I know I will be back here soon.
It is a free range dog park so several dog walkers come here and let the dogs run loose. At one point I would said we easily had 25 dogs running happily all around us. It was great!
There are a set of stairs you can go up and down to get a workout. Two days later my legs are still sore. Other than the stairs all of the incline and decline are very gradual so this is just an all around great place to go if you want an effective and easier workout.
The views are great. On one side you can see the Pacific Ocean and the other side you can see Golden Gate Park and all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The only bummer that happened while here was that since there were so many dogs, my daughter did the deed and picked up some dog poop. Gross… But with that being out of anyone’s control I can’t wait to come back for some more scenic exercise goodness.