55This is, bar far, my dog's and my favorite sniff spot. The property is beautifully maintained, it's perfectly safe for my rather difficult boy (sorry, Wilbur), and the hosts are amazing. I'll be back again soon! Thank you, Karin! Ashley F.
Ashley F.
September 2023
This is, bar far, my dog's and my favorite sniff spot. The property is beautifully maintained, it's perfectly safe for my rather difficult boy (sorry, Wilbur), and the hosts are amazing. I'll be back again soon! Thank you, Karin!
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Bo was having so much fun that I literally had to drag him to the car and then he didn’t want to get in it. Lil stinker! So needless to say this spot is awesome in his eyes! Attached are the pics of before and after!Andrea B.
Andrea B.
September 2023
Bo was having so much fun that I literally had to drag him to the car and then he didn’t want to get in it. Lil stinker! So needless to say this spot is awesome in his eyes! Attached are the pics of before and after!
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Beautiful location. Nice open yard, plenty of space. My dog spent half the time exploring. Will probably enjoy the pool myself next time I come. :)Paul O.
Paul O.
September 2023
Beautiful location. Nice open yard, plenty of space. My dog spent half the time exploring. Will probably enjoy the pool myself next time I come. :)
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Absolutely wonderful experience once again! 😊 Gorgeous location, very pleasant and relaxing. Mullein had the best time. He is sleeping so well after a birthday filled with fun running around and playing. Thank you so much for everything!! 🎉✨🐩Lily L.
Lily L.
September 2023
Absolutely wonderful experience once again! 😊 Gorgeous location, very pleasant and relaxing. Mullein had the best time. He is sleeping so well after a birthday filled with fun running around and playing. Thank you so much for everything!! 🎉✨🐩
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Karin was super easy to communicate with and gave me all information necessary to access and enjoy her yard. My pup loved Karin’s yard which has the best grass for rolling in! And lots of little spaces with plants, a garden statue, rocks, and dirt. We spent a very happy hour in Karin’s beautiful yard and would happily go again. michele k.
michele k.
October 2023
Karin was super easy to communicate with and gave me all information necessary to access and enjoy her yard. My pup loved Karin’s yard which has the best grass for rolling in! And lots of little spaces with plants, a garden statue, rocks, and dirt. We spent a very happy hour in Karin’s beautiful yard and would happily go again.
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Lovely spot!! The area is beautiful, and the Sniffspot is clean, garden is beautiful, plenty of space. The owner is super responsive, and the instructions are very clear. She also provides water, pop bags, some toys and sticks for the pups. My little guy and I had a blast. Cara K.
Cara K.
October 2023
Lovely spot!! The area is beautiful, and the Sniffspot is clean, garden is beautiful, plenty of space. The owner is super responsive, and the instructions are very clear. She also provides water, pop bags, some toys and sticks for the pups. My little guy and I had a blast.
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Spacious spot for large dogs, plenty of toys, sticks and water for your pup. There are also a couple of seating areas for you to enjoy the environment. I appreciated how quiet and peaceful it was while watching the sun set. My pup and I had a great time! Rosie C.
Rosie C.
October 2023
Spacious spot for large dogs, plenty of toys, sticks and water for your pup. There are also a couple of seating areas for you to enjoy the environment. I appreciated how quiet and peaceful it was while watching the sun set. My pup and I had a great time!
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55This is a truly lovely spot that fit the bill perfectly for my dogs today. Enough space to run around and play, lots to sniff, and plenty of fun toys to engage with. The flirt stick is an especially nice touch, as that's one of my pup's favorite toys. We'll definitely be back. Amanda M.
Amanda M.
October 2023
This is a truly lovely spot that fit the bill perfectly for my dogs today. Enough space to run around and play, lots to sniff, and plenty of fun toys to engage with. The flirt stick is an especially nice touch, as that's one of my pup's favorite toys. We'll definitely be back.
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Spacious enough for large dogs to play. Excellent toy selection and ammenaties. Very well maintained. Secure and fenced off. My dog had a wonderful time!!Sabrina M.
Sabrina M.
October 2023
Spacious enough for large dogs to play. Excellent toy selection and ammenaties. Very well maintained. Secure and fenced off. My dog had a wonderful time!!
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Host was very responsive and instructions were very clear. Terbie had such a great time! Just enough space to really explore and get good exercise and such a beautiful property. Will definitely come back!Rachel T.
Rachel T.
October 2023
Host was very responsive and instructions were very clear. Terbie had such a great time! Just enough space to really explore and get good exercise and such a beautiful property. Will definitely come back!
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Great space for our little pup to run and explore. Clean yard, places to sit and everything you might want while you play-- toys, water, garbage can. Quiet and easy to access, too.Molly A.
Molly A.
October 2023
Great space for our little pup to run and explore. Clean yard, places to sit and everything you might want while you play-- toys, water, garbage can. Quiet and easy to access, too.
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55This is an amazing spot! Our large dog Andy enjoyed running around the grassy area. There were many balls and squeaky toys provided. The house provides some shade too, so my wife and I were able to stay out of the sun. Looking forward to our next visit!Jared L.
Jared L.
October 2023
This is an amazing spot! Our large dog Andy enjoyed running around the grassy area. There were many balls and squeaky toys provided. The house provides some shade too, so my wife and I were able to stay out of the sun. Looking forward to our next visit!
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Such a beautiful spot! The yard was lovely and had lots of places for Luna to sniff and explore. All the toys and the stick library were a lovely bonus.Gillian C.
Gillian C.
November 2023
Such a beautiful spot! The yard was lovely and had lots of places for Luna to sniff and explore. All the toys and the stick library were a lovely bonus.
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Had a blast running our dog Andy around! Karin has an amazing selection of balls and other toys. The grassy area is big enough for our large dog to get up to a run when he is chasing the ball; a perfect spot! Thanks Karin! Jared L.
Jared L.
November 2023
Had a blast running our dog Andy around! Karin has an amazing selection of balls and other toys. The grassy area is big enough for our large dog to get up to a run when he is chasing the ball; a perfect spot! Thanks Karin!
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55Beautiful, clean and has everything to make sure your pups have a good time! Karin is a wonderful host and everything was just as described in the listing! Alamelu S.
Alamelu S.
November 2023
Beautiful, clean and has everything to make sure your pups have a good time! Karin is a wonderful host and everything was just as described in the listing!
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55This is such a wonderful spot! Beautiful views, quiet, and a great space for my dog to run around. Great toys, too! Karin was very helpful and accommodating via messages when I was running late and had some last minute questions about getting in. Thank you for having us!Alison K.
Alison K.
November 2023
This is such a wonderful spot! Beautiful views, quiet, and a great space for my dog to run around. Great toys, too! Karin was very helpful and accommodating via messages when I was running late and had some last minute questions about getting in. Thank you for having us!
Lawns, Gardens, Views, Pool, in San Rafael | Sniffspot
55One of our favorite sniff spots! Karin is always a great host and the yard is immaculate with tons of space for our pup to run around safely. James A.
James A.
November 2023
One of our favorite sniff spots! Karin is always a great host and the yard is immaculate with tons of space for our pup to run around safely.
How do San Rafael's private small dog parks work?
Private rentals by the hour
Our hosts are locals that are renting their yards and private land to dog owners
Trust and safety first
Spots are designed for safety and both hosts and guests are reviewed after each visit
Designed for private play
Only the people and dogs in your booking are allowed in the spot during your visit
Reactive dogs welcome
Many of the spots we list are designed with sensitive dogs in mind
Become a Sniffpass holder!
Get discounts on all bookings at all spots by buying monthly credits! Learn more!
FAQ about our San Rafael small dog parks
Are small dog parks safe?
While public dog parks have a number of safety issues, such as aggressive dogs, disease transmission and general cleanliness, Sniffspot dog parks are much safer than public dog parks. With Sniffspot all bookings are private for just you and dogs you bring with you and we require all dogs to be vaccinated (or have equivalent titers). All Sniffspot locations are vetted and reviewed by park users so you can find the perfect place for you and your dog. 93% of reviews on Sniffspot visits are 5 stars.
How can I find small dog parks in San Rafael?
There are 85 small dog parks in the San Rafael area. The most popular small dog park is . You can browse all of our small dog parks here.
How do I know if a small dog park works for my dog?
Start by applying basic filters, such as fencing and distractions, to find a dog park that works for your furry friends. If your dog doesn't respond to owner commands, you can visit one of our enclosed dog park areas. If your dog is reactive to other dogs, you can visit one of our small dog park sites where there are no dogs audible or visible nearby. You can see any park amenities provided, including a park bench, water for dogs or water features such as kiddie pool or water hose. If your dog loves water, you can go to a park with water features, but if they don't love water, you can avoid them. We also recommend reading reviews to check for park maintenance issues and reaching out to the host with any questions. And lastly, of course, check park hours. Many of our parks are open from dawn until dusk.
What are the requirements to bring my dog to a Sniffspot park?
We require that all dogs have basic vaccinations or equivalent titers. We do not allow dogs with a bite history. We require that owners sign our waiver and agree to follow our safety rules. We also require that pet owners follow safety protocols around water features.
Will there be other dogs at the Sniffspot park at the same time as me?
Sniffspot only allows one booking at a time and any host dogs are required to be kept away from the spot during visits. We also enforce 30 min time buffers between bookings.
If you are planning an amazing small dog park party, each Sniffspot park has their own rules regarding special events. Many parks allow doggie birthday parties, training, water parties and other event types. Event organizers need to be responsible for their guests and event organizers should coordinate with the host regarding their fun party. Make sure the park has amenities you need for your party, such as a park with lots of picnic tables with park benches.
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