Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Why We Love L.A. Summers: Dog Days All Around Town
This L.A. dog is definitely ready for summer. Photo by calvinfleming via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr.
()
Summer has arrived, and we're ready to celebrate all that screams 'tis the season in Los Angeles. From sand to summit, from sips to snacks -- we love L.A. summers.
Dog Day Afternoon at Our Lady of the 101
Hosted by the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (known to many locals as Our Lady of the 101) and the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, Dog Day Afternoon is like a pet-centric block party for Downtown pups and their human parents. The annual free event, which attracts hundreds of people and dogs, features music, pet-friendly vendors, food, and pet adoptions. Dog Day Afternoon takes place on the grounds of the landmark cathedral among the gorgeous animal sculptures in the plaza. Downtown doggies of all breeds and religious persuasions are welcome. Dog Day Afternoon takes place on July 11 from 6pm to 9pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. The event is free with $5 parking available at the cathedral. Detailed event information is available online.
Dog Days of Summer in La Habra Heights
Jam-packed with pawesomeness, Dog Days of Summer is a huge, free annual event sponsored by La Habra Heights Department of Parks and Recreation. Dogs and their people can enjoy a plethora of fun and educational canine attractions in a summery fair-like atmosphere at Hacienda Park. Attendees can enjoy demonstrations by L.A. County Police Dogs, expert frisbee and ball catchers, agility and herding tests with real sheep, tons of doggie gear and wellness vendors, a 10K fundraising walk, low-cost vaccinations, food and drink vendors, tons of four-legged socializing, and several rescue groups just in case you are looking for a new furry friend. Dog Days of Summer even has a dog bathing station and dog portrait photographers. Dog Days of Summer takes place on July 28 from 9am to 4pm at Hacienda Park. The event is free. Additional information is available from the City of La Habra by calling (562)694-6302.
Take Your Dog to the Beach!
Why not take your domesticated beast to one of the local dog beaches while the water is actually warm and swimmable this summer? Rosie's Dog Beach is the only off-leash dog beach located in Los Angeles County. This sandy, easily accessible, high density dog spot does not have big waves -- perfect for water-loving, super social pups. The three acre beach zone is open to the public from 6am to 8pm daily. Read our profile of Rosie's Dog Beach for details and boundary information.
Support for LAist comes from
The Huntington Dog Beach is a swath of gorgeous, spacious, low-key dog beach flanked by big dunes and cliffs in Orange County. The spot has tons of natural beauty and big waves to relax you, while its sheer size makes it far less dense and good for pooches that like lots of space to roam. Older dogs may struggle with the trek from the parking lot to the designated dog area, but it is a beautiful walk for those that are up to it. The Huntington Dog Beach is open from 5am to 10pm daily. Boundary details are available online.
()
A downtown resident and her Great Pyrenees at Dog Day Afternoon at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Photo by LA Wad via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr.
Fullerton Farmers' Market Dog Days of Fullerton
The Fullerton Museum Center sponsors an annual Dog Days of Fullerton event each summer where dogs can come to the Fullerton Farmers' Market to participate in quirky doggie talent contests. Prizes will be awarded to dogs in sloppiest kisser, loudest barker, fastest eater, best trick, and owner look-alike categories. The event will also have dog-oriented vendors and rescue/adoption groups on hand. Dog Days of Fullerton takes place on August 11 from 5pm to 8pm at the Fullerton Market. The event is free.
Southern California Animal Response Team Pet Fair
The mission of the Southern California Animal Response Team (SCART) is to provide emergency animal rescue services and disaster preparedness education for pet guardians. Each year, SCART hosts a unique pet fair with a focus on disaster preparedness. Fair activities include low-cost microchipping and vaccinations, pet-oriented vendors, agility courses, various contests and drawings, food trucks, and of course, pet disaster preparedness training. For $20, dogs and their owners can participate in a fundraising walk that begins at 9am where all participants get a goody bag. The Pet Fair takes place on August 19 from 8:30am to 2pm on the gorgeous, waterfront grounds of Marine Park in Long Beach. Entrance to the event is free. More information about the SCART Pet Fair is available online.
Wiener Dog Races
Dachshunds with a competitive streak can participate in one of the local wiener dog races. As wiener dogs are known for their propensity for long-standing John Hughs-style athletic grudges, we are sure that the wiener dog races are epic or at least epically cute. Owners wielding an eclectic variety of lures, basically plead and beg their Dachshunds to run toward the finish line over a 20 to 50-yard course. Trophies and prizes are awarded accordingly. Races in Old World in Huntington Beach take place on July 8, August 19, and several other dates throughout the fall. Information on these races are available online. On July 14 at 6pm, there is a wiener dog race at the Los Alamitos Race Course to benefit the Seal Beach Animal Care Center. Race admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 17 years. Additional information is available via phone at (562)430-4993.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist