The city of Antioch, California, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, overlooks the San Joaquin River. There are plenty of open spaces, parks and trails for recreational use available in or near the city, including the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Many of these outdoor spaces offer dog owners the perfect place to take their furry friends on a dog field trip.
Located right in the city of Antioch, Markley Creek Park is a 2-acre recreational area that maintains both large and small dog parks. It also contains a children's playground, a picnicking area and playing fields, as well as restrooms. This is the only city park in Antioch that features dog recreational areas, which are covered with gravel to help preserve the cleanliness of the park and your pet.
Contra Loma Regional Park is part of the East Bay Regional Park District. It charges a $2 fee for dogs and offers free admittance for guide dogs and other service dogs. The regional park also charges for parking, as well as an access fee for both the on-site boat launch, perfect for dogs who like to ride on the water with their owners, and the lake beach. The park offers both paved trails, often used by cyclists, and unpaved trails, some of which are designated for equestrian use. The park also offers picnic sites, a fishing dock, restroom facilities and concession stands selling food and beverages.
Located about 20 minutes from Antioch in the neighboring town of Clayton, Clayton Doggie Park is an off-leash recreational site for dogs. It features an installed water line that provides water for dogs and owners alike. A single picnic table and shaded area offer some respite from the sun. Dogs are encouraged to run the length of the park for exercise. As of 2011, the park does not maintain separate areas for large and small dogs.
The Newhall Community Park in neighboring Concord, just 20 minutes from Antioch, features the "Paw Patch," an off-leash dog recreational area. Part of the park is designated for use by small dogs only, classified as 30 pounds or smaller. The park also maintains a picnicking area, more than 2 miles of trails that people can use for bicycling, horseback riding or walking. The park also features a Vietnam War Memorial.
