Dog Walking, People Watching, and Picking Up
It is true what they say, dogs are the ultimate pickup… better than any slick line or move you could muster. With a lovely furry creature at your side you are basically guaranteed, if you want it, to start a conversation with that boy or girl who catches your eye on your next leisurely weekend dog walk. And for those of you not looking to meet someone new, having a doggie is a front row seat to some of the best people watching in any city.
So for The Real Summer in the City Experience Two it is time to schedule a long dog walk around San Francisco.
For those of you with a dog or two, check your schedule, grab a few treats, poop bags, and plan a to spend one of these upcoming weekend days giving your dog lots of exercise. For those of you without a dog, find a friend with one and borrow the lovely creature for a day. You can trust your friend will be thrilled; in fact, they will probably consider it a favor.
Here is your plan…
Click me for plan map
It can be done starting at Dolores Park or Crissy Field. For picking up you may want to end up at Crissy Field last… there is just something so romantic about late afternoon lighting, the beach, and the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. If you are more into people watching then ending up at Dolores Park later in the day to observe the hipsters as they emerge from hibernation.
Dolores Park
lazing in the sun
AKA hipster central, the pride park, or just the place to be if you want to laze in the sun. On any given sunny weekend it is packed with people doing everything from sunning themselves to hula hooping. This park is San Francisco people watching at its prime! Now, if this is the start of your day, head over to Tartine for a coffee and pastry and if later in the day, stop by Bi Rite Market and pick up a drink to take with you while you walk around the park.
People watching central
The crowd at Dolores Park is perfect for the human-loving, well-behaved, social dog… the type that can be let off the leash and will go up to all sorts of folks looking for attention, but when called are right back by your side. This dog is basically the best dog for picking up. Add handsome or pretty to the list of doggie attributes and you will have everyone in the park wanting to pet your lovely mutt. If done strategically, meaning letting your dog off the leash at just the right time and place, your dog will open conversations with everyone you want to meet.
It is easy…
- Remove the leash
- Point in the general direction of your target
- Take a seat on the grass and watch your dog mingle
- When your dog gets the attention of your target or any friend of that person make your way over to them
- Now, when you get within a few feet of your dog say the dog’s name. With any luck at all the person petting the dog will say, “Is this your dog?” This is when you smile and get right on into the conversation. Start off by talking about the dog for a few minutes and move into asking questions about them… you got it from here
Duboce Park
This is basically a doggie park all the time and a great place to meet other fellow dog owners/lovers. You are likely to have the typical dog 411 conversation… the one where the dogs’ names will be exchanged, their age, what kind they are, and comments about each dog’s looks. This is unless you make a small effort to get past the doggie talk and move the conversation into human terms, which I suggest you only do if the person is a potential dating prospect. If you want a
quick snack go to Duboce’s Park Café across the street. They have tasty bites, sidewalk seating, and a water bowl for dogs. Afterwards head out the back of the park up Fillmore to Alamo Square.
The painted ladies
Alamo Square : This is another great dog park. It has a fantastic view of the city, and usually a few tourists taking photos of the Painted Ladies for your people watching pleasure. This isn’t as social of a place as Duboce, but there is always some good people watching as you continue your walk up Fillmore, through the Lower Haight, to Pacific Heights. If you need a bite or want a little energy to keep you going, stop into The Grove on Fillmore. This is another great coffee shop and people watching place. It is always busy and there is lots of street traffic outside, so grab a table on the sidewalk and sip your drink for a few.
Alta Plaza: This is a few blocks from the Grove and your shortest stop. It is basically a place for 
your dog to stretch and play for a few while you take in the first ocean view of your dog day adventure. From there continue down Fillmore St and take a left at Chestnut St, where you will get a lot more people watching as you walk towards Crissy Fields for your final stop of the day.
Crissy Fields: It is always a great place with dogs… the perfect place for them to run and play in the break. It is also a fun place to spend some time relaxing on the beach pondering your day, getting away from the city for a few brief moments, and watching the folks around you do the same. Hang here for a little while and you are likely to either get lost in the grandeur of the Golden Gate and/or spot a person you want your dog to help you meet. When you are done walk it all back, perhaps with the person you just met, or call a friend to give you and your dog a ride home.
Strutting on the beach!
As you return home think about the day you just had. Did you meet any cool new people… perhaps your next date? Have some quality time with your dog? See a whole lot of people sporting too many styles to count? Get a new prospective on San Francisco or discover something new about your city? If you answer yes to any of these questions the day was worth every second. Weotta walk around SF with our dogs more often, right?
