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Los Angeles is a veritable playground of outdoor activities with the mountains on one end, the beach at another and the whole city in between. For dog owners it is commonly known that your dog needs exercise almost everyday to be happy and balanced, just the way people do. In this series we will explore the best places to go with your dog, free of charge while taking in sights, getting some exercise and experiencing what nature has to offer.
Up near the Hollywood Hills, where the celebrities are known to roam, is Runyon Canyon Park. Located at  the most eastern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains, the 160-acre park has many trails for all levels of hikers and several vantage points for stunning views of the city. Runyon Canyon Park allows dogs in all 160 acres, with dogs allowed off leash in 90 of those acres. Gates mark the points where leashes can be removed or need to be put back on. Owners must be responsible and aware of their dogs when off leash at all times. If you are unsure if your dog will stay by your side, will behave him or herself around other dogs or people, or is a new puppy, it is best to keep your dog on leash until you and your four legged companion get a better lay of the land.
Whatever path you choose at Runyon, the hike can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and half and is almost entirely in the sun. While there are water bowls littered around the park, the bowls at the top and bottom connected to water fountains, it is important to have water with you at all times for both you and your trusty trotting dog. A sound investment is a collapsible bowl, which can be purchased at any pet store and can be easily carried with you at any time.
There are two main entrances into the park. The main entrance at the bottom is at Fuller Avenue, just north of Hollywood Blvd. Here there is only street parking, though if you go in the middle of the day, there shouldn’t be a problem finding a spot. From this entrance, you are starting at the bottom of the mountain, and your journey will first be up hill. A central fire road runs through the entire mountain, which is large, cement and a gradual incline. After climbing up this path, you can turn to the east, to what is known as Clouds Rest, where a large bench faces out into the city of Los Angeles. There are two dog bowls where you and your dog can take a break and have a drink while looking out over a fantastic view.
From here there is a steep slope down, with stairs built into the mountainside. It is a more rigorous climb  down and will lead you to Inspiration Point, another great view of Los Angeles. Be careful on this climb, for it is more narrow and sandy. After getting to Inspiration Point, the path winds gently back to the fire road you started on, taking you back to the bottom, a water bowl with a spigot and your car. Alternatively you can do this route in reverse, taking the steep slope with stairs uphill first and then meeting up with the fire lane to go down.
The other main entrance is at the top of the mountain, at Mulholland drive, 2.6 miles east of Laurel Canyon Blvd. Here there is a parking lot. At this point you can take the main fire road down to the bottom and take the Clouds Rest Route back to the top (the steep, stair slope). Alternately, when entering from the Mulholland entrance, if you go to the right, there is a short, though steeper hike up to the very top, called Indian Rock where you can get a 360-degree view of Los Angeles, including the Valley on the other side of the mountain. From here you can circle around the rock and end up back on the fire lane.
The more hiking you do, the more trails you’ll discover, and the more sights you’ll see at Runyon Canyon Park Together you and your dog will get a good work out for free and see some incredible sights in the process.
Next in our series…the dog beach!
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