Sanchez Dog Park at the Pacifica Center for the Arts

The only reason I’m even considering giving this two stars is because there’s no other dog parks in the area and I’m forced to keep coming back, plus my dogs don’t hate it. HOWEVER, it’s the most boring dog park ever! Literally just a gravel field separated by a fence for big and small dogs and a few benches. Nothing about this park is easy on the eyes. No grass, no water fall, no hills for the dogs to jump on. With all the fuss and fundraisers our city made to get this park, it’s so sad to see how crappy it looks. If your dog needs to stretch their legs then come here, but definitely don’t make a special trip.
Helpful tip: Stay away from the neighbors! They are real a** holes! Constantly yelling at us to be quiet or control our animals.

A decent park for letting little dogs run around — but most times I’m there, it’s pretty deserted. The biggest challenge is that it’s closed on Sundays and Tuesdays — and oddly enough, every time I think of taking the dogs for a quick park run it’s on those days.
I wish there was a bigger or more interesting park in the area. I used to live in San Mateo, so when I have the time I take my dogs to the Seal Point dog park near there.

I have a large breed and a small breed. I don’t think this place would work for my larger dog, as the «big dog» side seems small and un-​interesting (i.e. my large dog prefers big open spaces, grass, and hills for top speed running and fetch). Both sides of the park seemed ideal for my smaller dog, so I brought her for a test run. Tried both sides with her, since the police officer opening the park told me that small dogs are allowed on the big dog side. Went on a weekday at 10am and it was almost empty. Maybe only a few other dogs, which I appreciated. The other dog owners were all very friendly, quiet and cleaned up after their dogs. Everyone was respectfully social and I came across well behaved dogs during our few visits there, which made me very happy.
The space does have a smell to it— but I believe the area gets hosed down and overall, it was clean and well maintained.
There are a few posted signs asking people to keep quiet and the Sanchez center has additional signs in many of their windows urging that people/​dogs stay quiet. I thought it was a little over board, but I suspect people have complaints about the space. It is situated VERY close to a row of fenced backyards. I felt a lot of sympathy for those home owners, so I corrected my dog if she got too loud.
Overall, pleased with the space for a small dog. I won’t make it part of our regular exercise routine… but for a quick trip and a round of fetch, it seems like a good local option.

The one star review is for the inconsistency in park hours. I’ve been told it’s the Pacifica Police Department’s job to unlock the gate.
«It’s not a priority so they get to it when they get to it.» Why isn’t that posted on the sign?!
I understand that police have better things to do so you’d think they’d give the job to somebody that had a little more time on their hands.
It’s extremely frustrating to show up with 4 rambunctious dogs that want to play off leash and have to settle for walking them on leash in the field across from the dog park.
Get with the program Pacifica! Get somebody over here that can open the gate on time and let our pets enjoy the dog park that you created for them!

Dog Friendly: Of course!
However, this place is mostly just a large gravel area. I wish there were some low cut grass.
Good for socializing dogs though.

I realize over the past week or so that I need to update my review on this dog park. It is actually quite lousy, and unreliable. Not only have they closed the park on Sundays, but now they don’t even open the gates at the time they are supposed to be open. I went there today at 10:46am, and they were NOT open. They were supposed to be open at 10am. Its entirely inconvenient, and ridiculous. My dog gets beyond excited to go to the park, only for me to have to turn around and leave and hear him cry all the way home. If I wasn’t 8 ½ months pregnant and had a difficult time driving longer distances, I wouldn’t take him here ever again. Take the extra 20 min drive and take your dog to the Centennial dog park in South San Francisco. They people there are not only friendlier, but I have yet to encounter an aggressive dog. There also isn’t the ridiculous drama with the neighbors and jerk photographers in the vicinity.

Great park, bitchy neighbors. Open 10 – 5 weekends :(but 10-​sunset weekdays :)

Midday, only one other person here. Simple enclosed fence area, gets messy/​muddy after rain. The wind happened to be blowing hard and dust was blowing into my contacts, would have like to see more grass or trees within area. Left after 15 min for Mori Point.
It’s okay for what it is, but with the beach being so close and off leash allowed by the water, I don’t think I would come here often.

This park has seperate sections that seperates large & small dogs. It is gated so the dogs would not run away. It’s big enough for my dog to run unleash and it’s free.

I took my dog there for the first time last week. I like the separation of large and small dogs.
But let’s get to it. This «park» is just a patch of dirt. Prison inmates get a more attractive area to play in.
We need bushes, trees, a few fun structures, a little pool!!! Come on Pacifica, let’s build a PARK!

This park is nothing special but it’s about time we actually have a place to bring our dogs in Pacifica.
My dog got to run around and socialize… he was tired when we got home and that’s what I care about.
I think that if your dog is with you and is having fun who cares that the park is small or the ground is clay. I sure don’t!

The Grand Opening Celebration for this park is being hosted by POOCH and will be on March 30, 2012
It’s located in the rear parking section of Sanchez Art Center (you have to drive to the back for parking). There are no signs to tell you where it is or even that it’s there.
The park is small, with both small and large dog sides. It’s pretty much intended for just the locals. There is no shade, which shouldn’t be an issue in Pacifica I suppose. There are a few benches are scattered around the squarish dog park. There is water and bags are provided by the users. While the area is surrounded by unused grassy areas, any off-​leash dogs outside of the little clay dog park are subject to ticketing.
The community of dog-​owners in Pacifica (P.O.O.C.H.) and surrounding areas raised funds to pay for this park, and took several years of hard work to bring it to fruition. I would have expected it to be more dog-​friendly, and certainly larger considering it’s the only place that is legal for dog owners in the entire city of Pacifica to have their dogs off-​leash. It looks like it was designed 20 years ago, having just the barest needs met. If you are in the Linda Mar area of Pacifica and need an off-​leash area this one will do, but if you are further north, you would be much better off going to Fort Funston which is just 5 minute drive up Skyline Blvd.
Here’s to hoping that the dog-​owners who come to the park don’t turn into the the «coffee klatch» that shows up at the Commodore Park.