Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »