If you’re anything like us, your pooch is a bona fide member of the family, and there isn’t any guest who comes to your home, related or not, who can tell you otherwise. And, just like our two-legged kids must do in their own playground with age-similar boys and girls, dogs need an opportunity to run, play and socialize with other tail-wagging types. Fortunately, there is no shortage of dog parks in Los Angeles, but for those of us who want to ensure our best friend has the most fun without needing to be leashed, the quest becomes a bit more challenging.

If finding the ultimate off-leash wonderland for Fido has been one of your goals this summer, do not fret: we’ve rounded up the best leash-free dog parks around Woodland Hills to make things easier.

Oak Canyon Dog Park, located at 5600 Hollytree Drive in Oak Park, is divided into two sections for large and small canines, and is one of the most spacious parks of its kind. The park provides waste bags and even some benches, so you can sit and enjoy time with your four-legged bestie as he or she frolics amidst the grass and makes new friends. Well-kept with lush lawns, comfortable seating, fresh water for pooches and much more, Oak Canyon Dog Park is one of the best-kept secrets in the Valley. 

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Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, located at the Western end of Victory Boulevard, boasts more than 5600 acres in the Simi Hills at the Western edge of the San Fernando Valley and is part of a critical ecological linkage and wildlife corridor between the Santa Monica Mountains and the ranges to the north. Victory Trailhead, in particular, offers perfect hike trails in the Valley which are not challenging and that boast beautiful scenery; the path is shared with mountain bikers and folks who come with their kids and dogs, so if you’re looking for the ultimate off-leash walking experience for your pooch, the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve should be at the top of your list. Open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. 

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Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park, located at 17550 Victory Boulevard in Encino, is open each day sunrise to sunset and features separate sections for all sizes of canines, each section boasting its own agility obstacles – great for puppies and dogs to build confidence. There are also different areas offering water access and even a ramp to make things easier for the pooches that may have some mobility issues. According to locals we have spoken to, the best times to visit Sepulveda Basin Dog Park are early mornings, being that weekends and evenings tend to be the busiest. Park opens at 11 am on Fridays.

Simi Dog Park, located at 2151 Lost Canyons Drive in Simi Valley, sits at the top of the Big Sky subdivision of the area, an extremely well-kept part of the town north of the main sprawl. Having well-manicured grass at a dog park can be hard to come by, but Simi Dog Park boasts plenty; what’s more, there is an abundance of water stations, benches/tables and parking spaces – all with a scenic view over the Valley. We’ve heard from Woodlands Hills residents who have reported that even dogs on the anxious side will venture out on their own and feel comfortable enough to roam around at Simi Dog Park…isn’t that testament enough? Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 6:30 pm and Thursday from 10 am to 6:30 pm.

Corriganville Park, situated at 7001 Smith Road in Simi Valley, brings with it a storied history, from its old oak trees to the myriad of classic films that used it as a scenic backdrop – all before the technology vacuum we find ourselves in today. This nice local park on the opposite side of the 118 near Rocky Peak and Hummingbird Trail enables you to take a relaxed stroll with your four-legged bestie while offering plentiful parking and shade, so you can stop for a few moments, breathe deeply and listen to the sounds of the birds singing. You’ll thank us later. 

DOG PPL, located at 3440 Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, is the most unique spot in this roundup – and one of the most unique in all of America, quite frankly, when it comes to canine interaction venues. This is L.A.’s first canine social club, complete with a park, café, bar and lounge all in one, an experiment that fuses the comfort and safety of a private members club with the community spirit of your favorite dog park. If there’s one thing that our city’s canines can agree on, it’s that there aren’t enough spots to let loose – but DOG PPL changes all that, with a specially-designed space that gives dogs “the yard they deserve.” Woodland Hills was already pretty great, but DOG PPL dug up a way to make it even better for dog people…and we can wholeheartedly say you should be a part of it. Open Monday from 2 pm to 8 pm and Tuesday through Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm.

SoCal weather is not only good for your wellbeing, but for your dog’s too, and there are no shortages of places to take your canine companion around L.A. Looking for the best spots to let your four-legged compadre roam free in Woodland Hills? Let this roundup be your consummate guide.