Most dogs, like most humans, love the beach. Unfortunately, virtually every stretch of sand in Seattle is marked with a sign that threatens dog owners with a hefty fine for releasing their hounds. One of the many amenities of the sprawling off-leash area at Magnuson Park is a stretch of Lake Washington shoreline where pooches can romp in the sand with reckless abandon like they’re on spring break in Cabo. If the crowds are thick or the weather crap, there are nine fenced-in acres for you and Fido to roam freely in, along with gated play areas dedicated specifically for small and shy dogs. But during the summer months, the beach—the only dog-friendly one inside city limits—is the place to be. KEEGAN HAMILTON 7400 Sand Point Way N.E., 684-4075, seattle.gov/parks/magnuson