Jack London Square

Yes, Oakland is a vibrant urban place to visit, but it’s not all about dog-friendly ale and wine trails, waterfront dining and hotels (more about that below). As dog-centric locals know, one of the pleasures of living here is proximity to many open-space preserves where you can flee the big-city hustle-bustle and revel with your pup in the shade of redwoods or atop grassy ridges with panoramic views. more »

Jack London Square, named for the California author who spent his boyhood on the Oakland waterfront before taking off for the Klondike (his relocated cabin is a local landmark), is Oakland’s vibrant social and historical nucleus, home to dozens of shops, restaurants, retail outlets and inviting lawns where many an event is held. It’s only fitting that a public space named for the author of “Call of the Wild” is dog-friendly, too! more »

If your dog’s like ours, she doesn’t care much for sitting still for long periods of time. Fortunately, Oakland’s environment is so stimulating she won’t have to, especially if you head to a venue like Plank, a new addition in Jack London Square sporting a huge, dog-friendly beer garden with bocce court. Also on the waterfront, Brotzeit Lokal Biergarten has a dog-friendly deck and more »

Local flavor is what Oakland is all about, and the city’s urban wineries and craft breweries, many housed in renovated warehouse spaces, warmly welcome patrons with well behaved canine companions. Organize your tasting day by plotting an itinerary on the Oakland Urban Wine Trail, encompassing nine tasting rooms; or the Oakland Ale Trail, spotlighting 12 craft breweries, many within walking distance of each other. more »

Northern California’s love affair with craft beer and local wines just keeps getting stronger, with new breweries and wineries springing up all over Oakland and the Tri-Valley region. more »

If what you like in an outing with your dog is a hip, urban vibe with lots of canine-accommodating amenities, look no farther than Oakland. more »

Matches were made, and homes were found on Saturday, July 18 at Jack London Square in Oakland during the East Bay SPCA’s annual Adopt-a-thon event. more »

Summer days are great for long, lingering meals on the tail end of an outing with your pet. Lake Merritt, the large tidal lagoon in the center of town, is one of Oakland’s most popular jogging and dog-walking venues and a great place to go for a leg-stretch. Linger over an upscale lunch or dinner at Lake Chalet Seafood Bar, a special-occasion venue; or indulge in Italian comfort food at Barlago Italian Kitchen, where heated outdoor tables take the chill off the often brisk marine air. Tuesday-Friday happy hours feature discounted draft beers, wine and antipasti specials. more »

Some cities roll out the “No Dogs Allowed” signs rather than the welcome mat when it comes to public gatherings. But not Oakland, which sports a “come one, come all” attitude that draws people and pets from all over the Bay Area. Oakland’s summer calendar is jam-packed with dog-friendly events. Here are five to put on your calendar: more »

Dog-loving residents of Oakland have it all: tons of bars and restaurants with dog-friendly outdoor seating; an overall welcoming attitude toward canines; and a wealth of open-space trails, many of which don’t require leashes away from developed areas. The city also has a hip, dog-friendly place to stay in the Waterfront Hotel in the heart of the vibrant Jack London Square dining, shopping and entertainment district. more »