Sausalito is a popular place for dog walking, not just for residents but for visitors from San Francisco and northern Marin. Here are key things for local dog lovers to know.
1. Sausalito ordinances require dogs to be on leash on city streets and property. You'll see the signs posted around town, and the rules may be enforced.
Insiders Tip: When we first put up this page we got feedback from several Sausalito residents whose little kids had been in peril from dogs running at high speed off-leash in our parks. In one case a dog carrying a sharp pointed stick dashed through a group of toddlers. These parents would especially like to ask that dogs be kept on leash around small kids, both to comply with Sausalito's laws and to avoid accidents.
2. The Sausalito Dog Park offers an enclosed place for dogs to run off leash. As with all dog parks, check out the behavior of the dogs already there before bringing in your dog: once in a blue moon an owner will bring an aggressive dog to a dog park and then be surprised (or "surprised") when it attacks another pet.
3. The Sausalito parks, especially those along Bridgeway, are frequent places where owners bring dogs to play. Many parks have free waste pick-up bags in dispensers, and the new bag designs make it easier and less gross. Most owners here are conscientious about cleaning up after their dogs -- our offices have a view of 2 parks and the percentage of owners we see who clean up is quite high.
Reader Feedback: There are some residents whose property for some reason regularly gets unwanted gifts that are not cleaned up. I like to carry 2 or even 3 bags in my jacket pocket at all times, just in case I end up somewhere that doesn't have a dispenser, and neighbors really appreciate it when you don't leave them with the problem.
4. Dining with your dog -- Many Sausalito restaurants offer sidewalk dining where leashed dogs are welcome. See our page on Outdoor Dining in Sausalito. The links there will let you call ahead to check on a particular restaurant if you want to confirm their policies.
5. Especially on weekends and during the summer there are lots of bikes on Sausalito's main streets. Keep this in mind as you plan your route.
6. Sausalito's stairways offer access to some of our greatest views, and will get you and your dog away from the crowds. Give yourself time to climb the steep slopes -- the longest stairways have rest spots as you go up the hill.
7. At the risk of stating the obvious, please be careful about leaving dogs in the car. There are times when we have a very cool breeze here with a bright sun. Though you may have a sweater or a jacket on outside the car, the sun can bake the interior and dogs can be severely harmed much faster than one might think.
8. The dog pictured above did not actually jump into the Bay, swim to the boat and direct them to sail to Tortuga for a life of adventure, plunder and celebration. But he wanted to!
