DOG PPL - Santa Monica, CA
Dog Park in Santa Monica, California: DOG PPL
DOG PPL is one of the premier dog parks in Santa Monica, California, offering a unique and vibrant community space for dogs and their owners. As a private, membership-based dog park, DOG PPL is widely praised for its clean, safe environment and a strong emphasis on the well-being and socialization of both pets and people. The park boasts shaded seating areas perfect for working remotely, reading, or simply relaxing while your dog enjoys off-leash play. Staff are known for their friendliness, attentiveness, and genuine care for each dog regularly visiting the park.
In addition to the excellent facilities, DOG PPL features a café and bar serving high-quality drinks, further enhancing the community atmosphere. Trained staff members known as “Rufferees” help manage dog play and safety, creating a positive space for anxious or reactive pups. Though there may occasionally be issues like odors from turf wear, most visitors appreciate the park’s high standards of cleanliness and maintenance. If you’re seeking the best dog-friendly space or pet-friendly trails in the Santa Monica area, DOG PPL stands out as a welcoming and supportive destination for you and your canine companion.
FAQ
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash in the designated area.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, the dog park is securely fenced.
- Are there staff or rangers present at the park? Yes, DOG PPL has staff members and “Rufferees” who monitor dog play and safety.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there is shaded seating for owners.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, the park provides ample seating areas, some with shade.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Yes, a membership is required to use DOG PPL.
- Are there pet-friendly cafes or stores close to the park? Yes, DOG PPL itself features a coffee shop and bar inside the park.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the park is kept clean and well maintained, although some visitors have occasionally mentioned odor from the turf.
Reviews
This place is the best dog park in LA without a doubt – it’s not even close. My dog loves this place more than his bed!
However, the reason I am only giving 4 stars is that recently, the place has started to smell. I am not sure if they need to replace the turf or give it a deep clean but it is becoming more and more pungent.
Otherwise, the place is amazing, and I highly recommend it to anyone curious!
This place is the best dog park in LA without a doubt – it’s not even close. My dog loves this place more than his bed!
However, the reason I am only giving 4 stars is that recently, the place has started to smell. I am not sure if they need to replace the turf or give it a deep clean but it is becoming more and more pungent.
Otherwise, the place is amazing, and I highly recommend it to anyone curious!
This place is the best dog park in LA without a doubt – it’s not even close. My dog loves this place more than his bed!
However, the reason I am only giving 4 stars is that recently, the place has started to smell. I am not sure if they need to replace the turf or give it a deep clean but it is becoming more and more pungent.
Otherwise, the place is amazing, and I highly recommend it to anyone curious!
UPDATE: We were members at Dog PPL for nearly 2 years, and while we started out loving it, our experience over time shifted and we are no longer members.
At first, it felt like the perfect spot—safe, fun, and filled with a great community for both dogs and humans. But over time, the park evolved into a social club for Influencers + people more than a dog-focused space. The staff turnover was high, and where there used to be multiple rufferees in training (many of them trainers and vet techs), it seemed like fewer and fewer new staff are actually trained in dog behavior and safety.
Dog PPL was an awesome chapter, but I am disappointed in how leadership handled membership changes, despite a promise of continued communication. For us—and our rescue—it no longer felt like the right fit.
—
2024:
We’ve been members at Dog PPL for 9 months—and it has become a second home.The park is clean, safe, fun, and has an amazing community — humans and otherwise.
Our dog (a rescue/shelter pup with anxiety) absolutely loves it and looks forward to it every day. I bring her 5-6 times a week while I’m working, on the weekends to read, etc. It is an AMAZING place to socialize your dog—and to socialize *with* your dog.
Like some, we were skeptical of the price at first (since we took her to the public park 4-6 times a week). Fast-forward 9 months: We wish we had found this community sooner.
The PPL (staff, rufferees (!) , front desk, founders, community) are wonderful. They’re accommodating, eager to hear suggestions, and prioritize the pups’ experience and safety above all else.
I recommend Dog PPL if you have a trained dog, work from home, want to meet like-minded people, and/or give your pup a place to socialize while you relax or answer emails.
—
Full Disclosure: I received a free drink in exchange for writing this review originally, but it did not have an impact on my sentiment.
UPDATE: We were members at Dog PPL for nearly 2 years, and while we started out loving it, our experience over time shifted and we are no longer members.
At first, it felt like the perfect spot—safe, fun, and filled with a great community for both dogs and humans. But over time, the park evolved into a social club for Influencers + people more than a dog-focused space. The staff turnover was high, and where there used to be multiple rufferees in training (many of them trainers and vet techs), it seemed like fewer and fewer new staff are actually trained in dog behavior and safety.
Dog PPL was an awesome chapter, but I am disappointed in how leadership handled membership changes, despite a promise of continued communication. For us—and our rescue—it no longer felt like the right fit.
—
2024:
We’ve been members at Dog PPL for 9 months—and it has become a second home.The park is clean, safe, fun, and has an amazing community — humans and otherwise.
Our dog (a rescue/shelter pup with anxiety) absolutely loves it and looks forward to it every day. I bring her 5-6 times a week while I’m working, on the weekends to read, etc. It is an AMAZING place to socialize your dog—and to socialize *with* your dog.
Like some, we were skeptical of the price at first (since we took her to the public park 4-6 times a week). Fast-forward 9 months: We wish we had found this community sooner.
The PPL (staff, rufferees (!) , front desk, founders, community) are wonderful. They’re accommodating, eager to hear suggestions, and prioritize the pups’ experience and safety above all else.
I recommend Dog PPL if you have a trained dog, work from home, want to meet like-minded people, and/or give your pup a place to socialize while you relax or answer emails.
—
Full Disclosure: I received a free drink in exchange for writing this review originally, but it did not have an impact on my sentiment.
UPDATE: We were members at Dog PPL for nearly 2 years, and while we started out loving it, our experience over time shifted and we are no longer members.
At first, it felt like the perfect spot—safe, fun, and filled with a great community for both dogs and humans. But over time, the park evolved into a social club for Influencers + people more than a dog-focused space. The staff turnover was high, and where there used to be multiple rufferees in training (many of them trainers and vet techs), it seemed like fewer and fewer new staff are actually trained in dog behavior and safety.
Dog PPL was an awesome chapter, but I am disappointed in how leadership handled membership changes, despite a promise of continued communication. For us—and our rescue—it no longer felt like the right fit.
—
2024:
We’ve been members at Dog PPL for 9 months—and it has become a second home.The park is clean, safe, fun, and has an amazing community — humans and otherwise.
Our dog (a rescue/shelter pup with anxiety) absolutely loves it and looks forward to it every day. I bring her 5-6 times a week while I’m working, on the weekends to read, etc. It is an AMAZING place to socialize your dog—and to socialize *with* your dog.
Like some, we were skeptical of the price at first (since we took her to the public park 4-6 times a week). Fast-forward 9 months: We wish we had found this community sooner.
The PPL (staff, rufferees (!) , front desk, founders, community) are wonderful. They’re accommodating, eager to hear suggestions, and prioritize the pups’ experience and safety above all else.
I recommend Dog PPL if you have a trained dog, work from home, want to meet like-minded people, and/or give your pup a place to socialize while you relax or answer emails.
—
Full Disclosure: I received a free drink in exchange for writing this review originally, but it did not have an impact on my sentiment.
The BEST dog park in LA! Safe, clean and SO fun for dogs & owners! Getting a membership at dogppl is the best money we’ve ever spent. My dog never gets tired of coming here and while he plays – I can post up at a table and do work or enjoy a coffee or cocktail from the bar. All the referees are awesome and truly love dogs. Thank you dogppl!
The BEST dog park in LA! Safe, clean and SO fun for dogs & owners! Getting a membership at dogppl is the best money we’ve ever spent. My dog never gets tired of coming here and while he plays – I can post up at a table and do work or enjoy a coffee or cocktail from the bar. All the referees are awesome and truly love dogs. Thank you dogppl!
The BEST dog park in LA! Safe, clean and SO fun for dogs & owners! Getting a membership at dogppl is the best money we’ve ever spent. My dog never gets tired of coming here and while he plays – I can post up at a table and do work or enjoy a coffee or cocktail from the bar. All the referees are awesome and truly love dogs. Thank you dogppl!
I’m an anxious dog mom who was very anti-dog parks but absolutely loved my experience at Dog PPL. The staff is extremely welcoming and friendly, the place is very clean and well kept, there’s a great set up and lots of shaded seating. I love that no toys or treats are allowed because my dogs have always gotten attacked at traditional dog parks and I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that here. The rufferees are also a huge plus and are very on top of managing play when it gets too rough. The cofounder Liam is extremely nice and took the time to meet my dogs as well as mingle with other dog parents. I love how the staff basically knows all the dogs names, you can tell they genuinely care about your dogs and building a relationship with them! I also got a drink from their bar and it tasted great. This checks all my boxes as a crazy dog parent and we absolutely can’t wait to go back! 😊