Moving to a new city isn’t just about the humans in the house; your four-legged friends should be part of this decision-making process. Some of the most dog-friendly cities in the United States have great dog parks, restaurants, and events where you can enjoy spending time with your dog (all while meeting new people).
If you are on the lookout for a new place to live with your furry friend, here are the 10 most dog-friendly cities in 2024.
Portland, OR
| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 43% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | Kimpton Hotel Monaco Portland, The Duniway Portland, Hotel deLuxe |
| Dog-friendly parks | Gabriel Dog Park, Sellwood Dog Park, Forest Park |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | Tin Shed Garden Café |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | No specific breed restrictions; the annual Doggie Dash event. |
Portland is a dog lover’s paradise, offering more than 40 dog parks. One of the standout spots is Gabriel Dog Park, one of the largest fenced dog parks in the metro area, perfect for letting your pup run off some energy. Sellwood Dog Park is a great option as well, with its waterfront setting.
There is also no shortage of dog-friendly restaurants in Portland. Tin Shed Garden Café even offers a special doggie menu.
Don’t miss the annual Doggie Dash, a large event that brings together pet lovers for a fun run, pet festival, and pancake breakfast.
Seattle, Washington
| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 40% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | Hotel Monaco Seattle, The Edgewater Hotel, Kimpton Hotel Vintage Seattle |
| Dog-friendly parks | Warren G. Magnuson Park Off-Leash Area, Dogwood Play Park, Martha’s Garden |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | Norm’s Eatery & Ale House |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | No breed restrictions; leash laws in effect in most public areas. |
Seattle offers a variety of indoor and outdoor parks designed for pets and their owners. Dogwood Play Park is a unique space that combines an indoor/outdoor dog park with a bar for humans. If you and your dog socialize together, you’ll enjoy this spot.
Another important aspect of Seattle is its pet-friendly public transit options. Even if you don’t have a car, your pooch is welcome to travel along.
Parks in the greater Seattle area are similarly accommodating. For example, The Warren G. Magnuson Park Off-Leash Area allows dogs to roam free if you have a well-behaved dog who likes a little independence.
Austin, TX
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| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 44% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | Hotel Van Zandt, Kimpton Hotel Arras, Hyatt Regency Austin |
| Dog-friendly parks | Yard Bar, Zilker Park, Red Bud Isle |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | No specific breed restrictions; leash laws are enforced in public parks. |
Austin has numerous dog-friendly restaurants, including Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, which offers a special Woof Wurst sausage for dogs. Easy Tiger and Shake Shack are also popular spots where you and your pet can enjoy a meal together.
Yard Bar features agility equipment and dog toys, and Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company is another great option for a relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere.
Overall, Austin is a great place for you and your dog to socialize, exercise, and enjoy the mild climate most of the year.
San Diego, CA
| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 38% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | Hotel del Coronado, Kimpton Hotel Palomar, Loews Coronado Bay Resort |
| Dog-friendly parks | Ocean Beach Dog Beach, Balboa Park, Kate Sessions Park |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | The Patio on Lamont Street |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | No breed restrictions; designated off-leash areas. |
One of the things that really helps San Diego stand out is the dog-friendly beaches. Ocean Beach Dog Beach and Coronado Dog Beach offer the perfect setting for you and your dog to enjoy the beach.
Balboa Park features designated off-leash dog parks and numerous trails that welcome leashed dogs. Kate Sessions Park is another popular spot with some great views of the city.
Surprisingly, the luxurious Hotel del Coronado and the centrally located Kimpton Hotel Palomar are very dog-friendly.
Denver, CO
| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 39% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | The Crawford Hotel, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver, The Maven Hotel |
| Dog-friendly parks | Cherry Creek Dog Off-Leash Area, Railyard Dog Park, Berkeley Lake Dog Park |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | Watering Bowl |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | Rabies vaccinations required; leash laws in public areas. |
While Denver boasts plenty of beautiful, dog-friendly outdoor spaces to enjoy, the state does have stricter policies in place regarding vaccinations and behavioral expectations.
Denver mandates rabies vaccinations for all pets. You’ll also need to remain within visual distance and under voice control while off-leash at places like Cherry Creek DOLA.
Parks, walking trails, hikes, and mountain views are the main reasons to head to Denver with your pet, but even high-end hotels like The Crawford Hotel, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver, and the Maven Hotel accommodate dogs.
Chicago, IL
| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 33% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | The Drake Hotel, Kimpton Hotel Allegro, Virgin Hotels Chicago |
| Dog-friendly parks | Norwood Park, Park No. 590, Puptown Dog Park |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | The Dawson |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | Permits are required for off-leash areas, and fines are for not cleaning up after dogs. |
The Windy City offers a variety of dog-friendly parks and areas, including Norwood Park, Park No. 590, and Pottawattomie Park. Another great spot is Puptown, which offers a dedicated space for dogs to play and socialize.
If you are planning a cross-country move or road trip, Chicago is a great stopping point for traveling with a dog.
Chicago has specific regulations to ensure safety and cleanliness in its dog-friendly areas. Dogs must be leashed before entering and upon leaving these areas. Owners must also have a permit for their dogs to access off-leash areas. Be warned that without a permit, you could face up to $500 in fines.
San Francisco, CA
| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 36% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | Hotel Nikko San Francisco, Argonaut Hotel, Fairmont San Francisco |
| Dog-friendly parks | Fort Funston, Ocean Beach, Chrissy Field |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | Zazie |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | No specific breed restrictions; leash laws in effect in most public areas. |
San Francisco caters to the upscale dog owner, with locals treating their pets to reiki massages and three-course tasting menus. You and your dogs have opportunities to live your best lives in San Francisco, including hot spots like Chrissy Field, Fort Funston, and Duboce Dog Park
Whether you’re taking a scenic walk with your pup or indulging in luxury pet services, San Francisco is one of the most pet-friendly cities in the United States.
Los Angeles, CA
| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 35% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | The Beverly Hills Hotel, The Kimpton Everly Hotel, Loews Hollywood Hotel |
| Dog-friendly parks | Runyon Canyon Park, Griffith Park, Rosie’s Dog Beach |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | The Fat Dog |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | No breed restrictions leash laws in most parks. |
Los Angeles welcomes dogs with open arms. Here, there’s no shortage of outdoor malls, state parks, local trails, and outdoor eateries where pets are allowed.
Popular hiking spots like Runyon Canyon, Inspiration Point Loop, and Millard Canyon provide ample opportunities for your dog to run free and enjoy the great outdoors.
Rosie’s Dog Beach is also a great spot if your pet loves the water.
Boston, MA
| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 32% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | The Liberty Hotel, Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel, XV Beacon |
| Dog-friendly parks | Boston Common, Peters Park, Millennium Park |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | The Barking Crab |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | Dogs are not allowed in historic burying grounds; leash laws in most public areas. |
Boston is a charming city for dogs, offering historic walking trails and pet-friendly parks. The Freedom Trail welcomes dogs on leashes; however, dogs are not permitted on historic burying grounds.
With The Esplanade along the Charles River, Boston Common, or designated dog parks like Peters Park and Millennium Park in the area, you’ll have your pick of places to keep your dog friends entertained. The Barking Crab is one of the many dog friendly restaurants in the Boston area.
Asheville, NC
| Category | Details |
| Percentage of households that own dogs | 37% |
| Dogs allowed on public transit? | Yes |
| Dog-friendly hotels | Aloft Asheville Downtown, The Omni Grove Park Inn, Grand Bohemian Hotel |
| Dog-friendly parks | French Broad River Park, Azalea Park, Carrier Park |
| Dog-friendly restaurant | Sunny Point Café |
| City-specific restrictions/policies | No breed restrictions or leash laws in most public areas. |
Asheville, NC, is a mountain retreat that warmly embraces pets. It offers numerous trails, pet-friendly hotels, and off-leash areas for dogs to enjoy. Some of the hotels in Asheville offer pet-specific amenities, such as in-room treats and dog beds.
Take the Aloft Hotel in downtown Asheville, for example, which provides dogs with their own bed and access to a rooftop dog run. There are also trails and off-leash areas available in Asheville.
Summary
If you are planning a move to any of these great dog-friendly cities, you’ll need to make sure you have enough storage for you and your pup. As all dog owners know, it’s easy to accumulate lots of belongings for our pets.
Check out Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace where you’ll find affordable self-storage options from pre-vetted hosts. Once you and your dog are settled, sign up to become a Neighbor host to generate passive income. Successful Neighbor hosts make up to $294 per hour worked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Most Dog Friendly City to Live In?
Portland, OR, is often considered the most dog-friendly city because of its events, dog parks, and amenities.
What Is the Least Dog-Friendly City?
New York City is not overly dog-friendly as it is crowded and has limited outdoor areas for dogs.
Where Can I Move to With a Dog?
If you are looking for a new place to move, try Austin, TX. It has many dog-friendly parks, restaurants, and accommodations.
