Although most cities in the East Bay have handsome and expansive parks, most require that dogs be leashed. The parks listed below, however, are havens for dog owners because they were either designed specifically for canine use or were modified to include areas where off-leash walking  is not only possible but also highly recommended. This is not  a comprehensive list--call the East Bay Regional Park District at (510) 671-0678 for more possibilities.

Briones Regional Park
Located just ten minutes from Highway 24 in Orinda, Briones is a paradise for dog and nature lovers. . Briones is also an ideal place for mountain bikers with dogs, as there is little foot traffic. Remember to bring water--there are no drinking fountains to relieve your pooch's thirst (or your own), and some of these trails are challenging. This is a very safe area for single women to walk alone, but make sure your dog is not afraid of cows--regulars tell us they sometimes make themselves known in a very vocal and defensive manner. Be prepared to pay a $3.50 parking fee (unless you park roadside) and a $1 fee for your dog, and keep him leashed while in the parking lot and picnic area. Create your own hiking route from the map and guide available at the park entrance, but steer clear of the John Muir Nature Area in the northwest part of the park, where dogs aren't allowed.
      On Bear Creek Rd., just after the intersection with Happy Valley Rd. Take the Camino Pablo Exit off Highway 24 and head east. Turn right on Bear Creek Rd. Call 636-1684 or check out www.ebparks.org.

Lafayette Reservoir
Although the Lafayette Reservoir requires that dogs be leashed, dog people still enjoy coming here for a jog, especially on weekend mornings.  There is no swimming or wading allowed for humans, and dogs don't have access to the water at all. They must also be leashed on the paved trail that runs around the reservoir, as well as the longer, 4.7-mile rim nature trail that winds through the hills above.  The place is certainly packed with young people, and the spectacular view of Lafayette's hills makes it worth the trip. Arrive early to secure one of the few metered parking spots, as a day pass runs a steep $5, with no hourly rate offered. Alternatively, you could invest $75 in an annual pass, which guarantees you parking even during the busiest times of the year.
      3849 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 284-9669. Off Highway 24, exit at Acalanes Rd., then turn left on Mount Diablo Blvd. You will reach the reservoir entrance after a mile.

Paso Nogal Park
Concord and Pleasant Hill singles meet and greet on these well-maintained hillside trails. Spring and summer, dog owners chat after work while their canine buddies frolic on the wide grassy lawn below the trails. Park regulars have a support system going--owners often watch each other's dogs, and they've even been known to throw impromptu birthday parties, complete with doggie cheesecake. Recreation-district officers in this area are known to be extremely open-minded and dog-friendly, but they stress the importance of personal responsibility.
      At the corner of Morello Ave. and Paso Nogal Rd., Pleasant Hill, 682-0896

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
Bayside in Richmond, this is one park that's worth the trek through the tunnel. It was founded in 1985 by a group of dedicated dog lovers desperate for an area where their dogs could run free.
 A bike-free zone, Point Isabel offers several miles of paved paths, as well as large grassy areas where dogs cavort and chase tennis balls, often jumping into the shallow bay water that laps at the rocks bordering the park. In summer months, foxtails can be a problem, and there is the occasional unfriendly jogger, but it's worth the risk. Make sure your dog is properly tagged, under voice control, and well-socialized with other dogs, because Point Isabel could mean sensory overload for a dog who doesn't get out much. Humans enjoy gorgeous views of the city and Marin from this area, and many who frequent Point Isabel know each other by name and enjoy chatting while their charges cut loose. Mudpuppy's, run by the personable and caring Holly Stockton, offers full-service and $10 do-it-yourself dog-washing facilities in a clean, cute shed near the Isabel Road entrance. The shop sells 50-cent tennis balls and treats, and is stocked with the latest doggie-friendly literature. Dog-wash reservations need to be made a week in advance, particularly during the summer and on weekends. Mudpuppy's also maintains an adoption bulletin board. Water, bowls, and scooper bags are available.
      Off I-80 in Richmond. Exit Central Ave. and head west to Isabel Rd. and the Bay. Mudpuppy's is open seven days a week; call (510) 559-8899.

Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Sibley is one of the most scenic parts of the Oakland hills. It's leash-free and partially shaded by towering oaks and conifers that provide a respite from the wide, sun-drenched dirt paths winding up to the quarries. From the Skyline Blvd. entrance and staging area, you may also hike up to Mount Round Top, an enormous pile of rocks that was left after the eruption of a volcano more than10 million years ago. Rich in bird life as well as in interesting geological features, the park has both long and short hikes. Pick up a map at the visitors center and stick to the trails; Sibley hikers who venture into grassy and wild sections of hillside often come face to face with rattlers. Also, watch out for couples romancing each other in leafy glades just off the trails; my dog has been shooed away more than once by non-dog-loving lovers. Remember to keep your dogs leashed while in the parking area.
      On Skyline Blvd. at Grizzly Peak Blvd. Exit Highway 24 at Fish Ranch Rd., and follow it to Grizzly Peak Blvd. The park entrance is located on the left, just after the intersection. Call (510) 635-0135 or check out www.ebparks.org.

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There's no reason to leave a pup behind when venturing into town for the day. Below we recommend just a couple of destinations that will keep both owners and dogs busy all afternoon. In the interests of good dog PR, experts recommend keeping dogs clean and leashed when bringing them to any public area. There will always be people who just plain don't like dogs, but too many others labor under the delusion that all dogs are loud, messy, and unsuited to normal social interaction. By law, dogs are not allowed inside any area that sells food, but most restaurants will allow a well-behaved dog on the patio, provided there is room.

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
For dog owners who can't pass up the urge to shop, Broadway Plaza offers a wealth of options for shopping and dining with a well-behaved pup. One of the few outdoor malls in the Bay Area, it's ideal for window shopping together. The two department stores, Macy's and Nordstrom, both allow dogs inside on all floors while owners are shopping. Macy's only request is that dogs ride the elevator rather than the escalator, while Nordstrom welcomes "well-groomed, contained" dogs in the store and at their espresso bar just outside. Other shops in the mall also welcome hounds. B.Dalton Books, Starbucks, and Bath and Body Works all took my mutt's visit in stride. Williams-Sonoma will let you bring your dog along as you shop for his very own dinnerware. At Victoria's Secret, I successfully purchased five items of lingerie with my dog Scrappy in tow, while sales associates ooohed, aahed, and offered him cookies. Creative Croissants makes a nice lunch break with plenty of shaded outdoor seating and delicious sandwiches. With its new bench seating, the Plaza's fountain is also a nice place to savor a packed lunch while catching some rays.

Downtown Danville
One local owner of two of the cutest schnauzers in Contra Costa told us that when she dies, she's going to ask God if she can come back as a dog in Danville. This quaint, quiet town features a range of restaurants with outdoor seating, as well as several stores that shamelessly cater to the pampered pup. Set off early at either end of the Iron Horse Trail, which starts in Walnut Creek and ends in San Ramon, passing through Danville's backyard along the way. Dogs run unleashed and jubilant along most of this pastoral trail. In downtown Danville, Pete's Brass Rail and Car Wash (331 Hartz Ave., 820-8281) welcomes dogs with buckets of water and any scraps the waitstaff can find. Across the street, Rising Loafer (340 Hartz Ave., 838-8800) charms with sunny outdoor tables. Management's attitude is that "dogs are some of our most loyal customers," and they're rewarded with Vitabones and individual bowls of water. Most of the stores along Hartz Avenue allow leashed dogs to shop with their owners. One you simply cannot miss is Molly's Pup-purr-ee (432 Hartz Ave., 820-8222), a full-service treasure trove of pet gift items.This is the place in the Bay Area to shop for gifts for animal-loving friends. Owner Tina Wong shows exceptional taste with fancy collars and leather-like jackets for Fido as well as animal-related trinkets for his owners. Garden seed (398 Hartz Ave., 838-6481) lets your dog sniff the potted plants while you check out pear-scented soaps and stunning cut-flower arrangements. Next door, Danville's Starbucks (398 Hartz Ave., 855-9657) features comfortable patio seating where plenty of single pet owners stop in for a frappuccino before hitting the trail.

Stadium Pub
Local sports bar with patio seating. Owner lends a blind eye to well-behaved dogs in patio area.
1420 Lincoln Ave., off of North Main Street, Walnut Creek, 256-7302

Diablo Foods
This family-owned gourmet grocery in Lafayette has been giving away bones and scraps to local dogs for years, unlike many big markets that sell such delicacies by the pound. This is a great place to buy gourmet meats, pasta, and cheeses, as well as Grade-A produce, and it's a convenient stop on the way back from Briones Regional Park after an afternoon hike.
3615 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 283-0737

Geppetto's Cafe
This modest little eatery is an old favorite for East Bay dog lovers. Waitresses dote on all denominations of pooch, who laze on the sidewalk while their owners sip cappuccino at tables nearby. Geppetto's carries croissants and pastries all day, and its central Lafayette location (just off the freeway) makes it a good stopping-off point on the way to or from Tilden Park.
3563 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 284-1261

House of Bagels
Staff at this Walnut Creek hangout are happy to hand out "bowser bagels" to their canine customers. The treats are more than a day old and hard enough to keep your dog occupied for more than a minute if you have to leave him at home or in the car. Show up anytime to claim your share, but weekday afternoons are when the supply is most plentiful.
1331 Locust Ave., Walnut Creek, 943-6499

Safeway at Danville
Bowls of water line the pavement outside this upmarket Safeway, and Saturday morning finds many dogs hanging out in front while their people run in for groceries. Staff frequently come out to pet, play with, and sometimes feed the dogs. There is also a lawn with some benches right outside.
3496 Camino Tassajara, Danville, 736-0298

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