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Palo Alto is a doggy town. Walk any downtown block in the morning and you will pass leashed dogs outside cafes. The city also runs four fenced dog parks. For visitors the picture is mixed. Many hotels welcome pets, but some of the best-known ones do not. Several of the most popular trails, including the Stanford Dish, ban dogs entirely. Caltrain does not allow pets at all. A little planning makes the difference between an easy trip and a frustrating one.
This guide covers what pet owners need for a short visit: hotels that state their pet policies, where dogs can run, where they cannot go, how patios and transit work and which vets to call in an emergency. Residents should also read our guide to pets in Palo Alto, which covers licensing and Animal Control.
Hotels that state pet policies
These policies come from each hotel's own site or its brand's listing, as summarized on our hotel pages. Fees and limits change. Many hotels only allow pets in certain rooms, so mention your pet when you book and confirm by phone.
| Hotel | Area | Stated policy |
|---|---|---|
| The Westin Palo Alto | El Camino Real by Stanford | Dogs up to 80 pounds, up to three pets per room |
| Sheraton Palo Alto | El Camino Real by Stanford | Pets welcome, dogs up to 80 pounds |
| Graduate by Hilton | Downtown | Up to two pets, 75 pounds maximum, nonrefundable fee |
| Hotel Citrine | San Antonio Road | Up to two pets, 50 pounds each, fee per stay |
| AC Hotel Palo Alto | San Antonio Road | Up to two pets, 50 pounds each, nightly fee |
| Hilton Garden Inn | South El Camino Real | Dogs and cats, up to two, fee rises for stays of five nights or more |
| Homewood Suites | South El Camino Real | Dogs and cats, up to two, 75 pounds maximum |
| Crowne Plaza Palo Alto | South El Camino Real | One dog or cat up to 50 pounds in certain rooms, fee plus deposit; on-site dog area |
| Dinah's Garden Hotel | South El Camino Real | Specific room types only, nonrefundable fee |
| Hotel Nia | Menlo Park | Up to two pets, 75 pounds each, fee per stay |
Hotels that do not take pets
Nobu Hotel Palo Alto, Creekside Inn and the Stanford Park Hotel in Menlo Park say pets are not allowed. The Stanford Guest House bans pets even inside vehicles on its grounds. Service animals are welcome at all of them.
Check first
el Prado was described as pet friendly when it reopened in 2021, but confirm the current rules. Hotel Keen does not state a policy on its site. The Four Seasons in East Palo Alto offers dog walking but does not list its pet policy on its main amenities page.
The south El Camino Real cluster has the most pet-friendly choices in one place, with Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Crowne Plaza and Dinah's within a few blocks. You can filter pet-friendly hotels in Palo Alto or, for a longer stay with a yard, search pet-friendly rental homes.
City dog parks
Palo Alto has four fenced dog parks where dogs can run off leash: Mitchell, Peers, Greer and Hoover parks. They are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and each person can bring no more than three dogs. Peers Park has the largest run, about 0.84 acre with a small dog area. The expanded dog run at Mitchell Park opened in January 2025 and also has a small dog area. Our dog parks guide covers each one and the full rules.
Outside the fenced runs, dogs must be leashed on streets, sidewalks, parks and other public places. In city open space preserves the leash can be no longer than six feet. Dogs may not chase or disturb wildlife.
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Trails that allow dogs and those that do not
| Place | Dogs |
|---|---|
| Pearson-Arastradero Preserve | On leash, every day |
| Baylands Nature Preserve and Byxbee Park | On leash, not on the Renzel Ponds trails |
| Foothills Nature Preserve | On leash, weekdays only |
| Esther Clark Park | On leash and under control |
| Bedwell Bayfront Park, Menlo Park | On leash |
| Stanford Dish | Not allowed, except service animals |
| Shoreline Park, Mountain View | Not allowed; a separate dog park sits just outside |
| Filoli, Woodside | Not allowed, except service animals |
Arastradero is the best all-round choice. Its grassy hills feel like the Dish and it is open every day. For an off-leash hike, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, run by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, has a marked off-leash area. It is the closest one outside the city. Bring water. Most foothill trails have little shade and no water for dogs.
Patios and shopping
California's retail food code lets each restaurant decide whether to allow dogs in outdoor dining areas, with conditions such as keeping the dog leashed and off chairs and tables. Whether a dog is welcome is the restaurant's call, so ask the host before you sit. Fambrini's Cafe on El Camino Real near California Avenue describes its garden patio as dog friendly and invites guests to bring their dogs. Our outdoor dining guide covers the car-free blocks of California Avenue and Ramona Street, where leash rules still apply.
At Stanford Shopping Center, leashed and well-behaved dogs can walk the outdoor common areas, according to Going in Style, one of its shops. Stores that sell food cannot allow pets, so check each shop's door. Faherty lists its Palo Alto store as pet friendly.
Getting around with a pet
- Caltrain: its service animal page says service animals may ride but other animals, including pets, are not allowed. In September 2026 Caltrain's board considered allowing small pets in carriers under a new code of conduct. Check the current Caltrain rules before you count on it.
- Rideshare and robotaxis: each app sets its own pet rules. Check the options in the app before you book and carry a blanket for the seat.
- By car: most visitors with dogs drive. Never leave a pet in a parked car. Summer afternoons can be hot, especially in the foothills. If you are flying in and renting, compare rental cars and check the company's pet cleaning rules.
Vets and supplies
Save these numbers before you need them.
- Veterinary Emergency Group, 3903 El Camino Real at Ventura Avenue. Lists 24-hour emergency care every day, including holidays. Owners can stay with their pets through treatment.
- MedVet Mountain View, 601 Showers Drive, just past the city line near San Antonio Road. Also lists a 24-hour emergency room.
- VCA Palo Alto Animal Hospital, 3944 El Camino Real. Wellness care and surgery for cats and dogs, six days a week, with online booking.
- Animal Hospital of Palo Alto, 4111 El Camino Real. A weekday clinic for dogs and cats.
- Pet Food Express, 3910 Middlefield Road. Food and supplies, a self-service pet wash and a weekly vet clinic.
Tips for a smooth visit
Good to know
- Bring proof of vaccinations. Some hotels and boarding services ask for it.
- Coyotes live in the foothills and around the Baylands. Keep small dogs close at dawn and dusk.
- Dry grass in summer and fall can hide foxtails. Check paws and ears after a hike.
- Make sure your dog's microchip registration has your current phone number before you travel.
- If your dog gets lost, call the city shelter on East Bayshore Road and check 24PetConnect right away.
Frequently asked questions
Which hotels in Palo Alto allow dogs?
Several do. The Westin and Sheraton on El Camino Real list dogs up to 80 pounds. The Graduate, Hotel Citrine, the AC Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Crowne Plaza and Dinah's Garden Hotel also state pet policies, usually with a nonrefundable fee and a weight limit. Nobu, Creekside Inn and the Stanford Park Hotel do not allow pets.
Can I bring my dog on the Stanford Dish trail?
No. Dogs are not allowed on the Dish except service animals. Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is the closest similar hike and allows leashed dogs every day. The Baylands also allow leashed dogs, except on the Renzel Ponds trails.
Where is the nearest 24-hour emergency vet to Palo Alto?
Veterinary Emergency Group lists a 24-hour emergency hospital at 3903 El Camino Real in Palo Alto, open every day including holidays. MedVet Mountain View at 601 Showers Drive also lists a 24-hour emergency room just over the city line.
Can dogs ride Caltrain?
Caltrain's service animal page says service animals are welcome but other animals, including pets, are not allowed. In September 2026 Caltrain's board considered letting small pets ride in carriers under a new code of conduct, so check Caltrain's current rules before you travel.
Are dogs allowed on restaurant patios in Palo Alto?
California lets each restaurant decide whether to allow dogs in outdoor dining areas, with conditions such as keeping the dog leashed and off chairs and tables. Fambrini's Cafe on El Camino Real describes its garden patio as dog friendly. Elsewhere, ask the host before you sit down.