There’s a lot to love about Lathrop when it comes to your pets. The area is beautiful with trails along the San Joaquin River and loads of pet-friendly parks and restaurants. Combine all that with Lathrop’s welcoming California weather, and you can see why it’s such a wonderful place for pups. Here are all the spots to know to give your pet its best life in Lathrop.
Dog-Friendly Lathrop Parks
Having a place to run free and be in nature is a definite treat for dogs. There is no shortage of great parks in Lathrop, and many are dog-friendly.
- Generations Center at Stanford Crossing – Dogs are welcome at the skate park, parkour course, outdoor amphitheater and more. They even teach dog obedience classes there for all breeds and sizes for $140 on Saturdays from 9:30– 10:30am.
- River Park North – Located right inside Stanford Crossing, this is a good one for dogs and families to play and exercise together. It has a geometric-themed rope course, exercise equipment, paths and open fields to roam in.
- Lions Park – Nice, wide paths and a large open field await you and your dog at this quiet park. There’s also a gazebo with benches if you’d like to enjoy a picnic.
- Leland and Jane Stanford Park – Named for the former governor and first lady of California who co-founded Stanford University, this Lathrop park has a path for walks and big open field for pets to run in.
- River Park South at Mossdale Landing – Arguably the best dog park in the county, this park runs right along the San Joaquin River. It even has separate areas where large breeds can run free. In fact, this park is the only place in Lathrop where dogs are allowed off-leash.
- Manuel Valverede Park—This park’s open splash pad is perfect for warm summer days kids, but there are also paths to enjoy and a rose garden for you and your dog to stroll through.
- Apolinar Sangalang Park – With a pirate-themed playground and garden-themed splash pad, this park is perfect for kids and pets to play together. There are wide open paths and exercise equipment if you and your dog like to exercise together.
- Crystal Cove Park – Mark this one for a sunset stroll. It has wide paths, large grassy fields and excellent views of the San Joaquin River.
Homes with Spacious Backyards
You won’t have to go far to find your pup’s happy place in Stanford Crossing. Many of the available homes at Stanford have roomy backyards for an at-home doggie paradise.
Doggie Adventures
Every dog deserves a good adventure and Lathrop has several to share. Here are some of the best places for doggie adventures.
- San Joaquin River Trail – 6.1 miles out and back, this trail is considered fairly easy and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. It’s open year-round, and dogs are welcome, but they need to be on a leash.
- Bennie & Joyce Gatto Historic Trail – Named for a beloved couple who dedicated their lives to serving the community of Lathrop, this trail follows the shores of the San Joaquin River. It’s a paved trail and it’s still being finished, but dogs are welcome.
- Murphys – For a closer Sierra Nevada adventure about an hour away, take your dog to the beautiful natural playground of Murphys—a charming village located in the central foothills. There you’ll find dog-friendly hikes, parks, and restaurants.
- Yosemite – Just over two hours away is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. The closest entrance is in Tuolumne County. There are tons of places you and your pup will enjoy hiking and exploring there, including several spots along the way.
- Lake Tahoe – About three hours from Lathrop, this getaway has loads of dog-friendly places to visit, including mountain trails, walks along the shore and dog-friendly beaches and restaurants.
More Dog-Friendly Places to Go in Lathrop
Here are some pup-friendly businesses you’ll find in Lathrop.
Restaurants
Day Care and Grooming
- There are many paw-fect doggie day care and grooming options in Lathrop. To name a few, Lathrop Veterinary Center offers daycare, boarding and veterinary services, while Aunty’s Grooming offers full grooming services.
Find Your Way to Stanford Crossing
With a 46% lower cost of living than San Francisco and several nearby places to bring your pets to play, Stanford Crossing puts premium living well within reach for you and your pets.
Explore more about life in Lathrop and stop by Stanford Crossing to visit one of our communities.