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Shell Ridge Open Space
Park · Walnut Creek · Contra Costa County · California
Are dogs allowed at Shell Ridge Open Space?
Yes. Dogs may be off leash under voice control.
- Leash
- Off leash allowed under voice control
Rules
| Rule | Value | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs allowed | YesRangers recommend keeping dogs leashed at all times; coyotes and grazing cattle are common. | [1] City of Walnut Creek | October 31, 2026 |
| Leash | Off leash allowed under voice control | [1] City of Walnut Creek | October 31, 2026 |
| Amenities | 1,420 acres, 31 miles of trails, Multiple trailheads with parking, Borges Ranch, a historic cattle ranch, and Howe Homestead Park | [1] City of Walnut Creek | October 31, 2026 |
Rules in every Walnut Creek open space
- Open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
- Off leash only on trails, and only under voice and sight command: keep your dog in sight and make sure it comes back the moment you call.
- Leash your dog in developed picnic areas, at historic sites, in parking lots and along street parking.
- No dogs in central Lime Ridge south of Ygnacio Valley Road, a protected wildlife habitat area.
- Carry a leash, and pick up your dog's waste and take it out of the open space.
- Don't let your dog chase, harass or harm wildlife or plants.
Source: [3] City of Walnut Creek, checked October 31, 2026
Location
1035 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek · Contra Costa County · California · Map (OpenStreetMap)
Managed by City of Walnut Creek Open Space Division. Official page
Sources
- Shell Ridge (walnutcreekca.gov), City of Walnut Creek. Government agency, checked October 31, 2026.
Shell Ridge Address: 1035 Castle Rock Rd Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Amenities: 1420 Acres 31 Miles of trails ... Dogs: Dogs? Rangers recommend dogs remain leashed at all times. If they are off leash, dogs must be under positive sight and voice command.(please keep in mind there is abundant wildlife in the area, including coyotes, as well as cattle)
- Location: the Borges Ranch parking area and trailhead in the city's Open Space facilities GIS layer (services2.arcgis.com), City of Walnut Creek. Government agency, checked October 31, 2026.
- Open Space: Rules and Regulations (walnutcreekca.gov), City of Walnut Creek. Government agency, checked October 31, 2026.
Dogs are required to be on leash in all in all developed picnic areas, historic sites and in parking lots and along street parking. Dogs are allowed off leash and under positive voice and sight command in the trail areas of Shell Ridge, Acalanes, Sugarloaf, and Lime Ridge north of Ygnacio Valley Road. ... Dogs are not allowed in central Lime Ridge south of Ygnacio Valley Road.
See something out of date? Rules change. If what you saw on site differs from this page, suggest a correction for Shell Ridge Open Space or email corrections@dogpolicies.com. We re-verify against the official source, usually within a week, and log the result on the accuracy page.
Cite this record
Shell Ridge Open Space (Walnut Creek, CA): Yes. Dogs may be off leash under voice control. Source: City of Walnut Creek, checked 2026-10-31. DogPolicies record: https://dogpolicies.com/places/shell-ridge-open-space/ (CC BY 4.0; cite with link).
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