Tourism non-profit releases guide to planning a dog-friendly visit to the area

Visit San Luis Obispo County, a non-profit countywide destination marketing organization, released a guide this week on planning a trip to the area with man’s best friend in tow.

From Ragged Point in the north to Arroyo Grande in the south, San Luis Obispo County is a dog-friendly paradise full of fun things to do and places to stay with your pup. Whether it’s dining out, wine tasting or enjoying the great outdoors, traveling with your pet can open opportunities to see and experience the area in new strides.

Hotels and lodging

There are dozens upon dozens of dog-friendly hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals and RV parks in San Luis Obispo County. Indulge with your dog at the SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel in Pismo Beach, which offers a “Celebrity Pet Package” that includes a “Canine Concierge,” welcome brochure with information on local pet-friendly attractions and dining, dog treats and toys, food and water bowls to keep, a plush dog bed and a $30 gift card to a local pet-friendly restaurant.

Other accommodations that welcome dogs include the Avila La Fonda and Avila Village Inn in Avila Beach, the Inn at Morro Bay, the Cambria Palms Motel, the Cayucos Beach Inn, the Paso Robles Inn, the San Simeon Lodge, and the Best Western Casa Grande Inn in Arroyo Grande, just to name a few. Exquisite pet-friendly bed and breakfasts in the area include the Just Inn at Justin Vineyards and Winery (also awarded 2015 American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine), and Petit Soleil in San Luis Obispo. Don’t forget one of the coastal or wine country RV parks in SLO County, with great outdoor amenities and stunning views for those afternoon walks. 

Restaurants

Finding a place to dine with your dog in San Luis Obispo County is a walk in the park. Explore restaurants with outdoor seating where you can chow down with your pal, such as the Grill at Hunter Ranch in Paso Robles who offers a special Pooch Patio Menu. Here, your pup can enjoy chicken, hot dogs or beef in bite-sized bits. Other Paso Robles restaurants that welcome dogs in the patio dining sections include Artisan and Fish Gaucho.

Perhaps your pup will enjoy a trip to the coast in Cambria, where Robin’s Restaurant serves up handcrafted global cuisine, International fare, and farmers’ market fresh options and includes an outdoor garden seating area that is dog-friendly. The restaurant at the Cambria Pines Lodge offers a casually elegant ambiance with several pet-friendly outdoor garden patio tables. The hotel’s pet guests can also enjoy a complimentary hot buffet breakfast on the patio with their furry friends.

Parks and beaches

San Luis Obispo County is full of dog-friendly parks and beaches, some of which are well-known and others are well-kept secrets. Peruse these options that will be sure to take you and fido for the perfect afternoon stroll:

 Pismo Beach/Oceano Dunes

Enjoy a spectacular sunset stroll with your canine companion in Pismo Beach, which is dog-friendly at any time of day, as long as you stay to the left of the Pier.  Dinosaur Caves Park lies right on the bluffs of Shell Beach (just north of Pismo) where the ocean views from this 11-acre park are breathtaking. The sand dunes at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area are also a great option for roaming around with your dog.

Avila Beach

Avila Beach has several dog-friendly options including the Olde Port Beach, next to Harford Pier, and the Fisherman’s Beach, nicknamed “Dog Beach,” both of which have a leash-optional policy, meaning that your dog can run wild.

Cayucos

Cayucos State Beach is completely dog-friendly and offers the perfect combination of mild weather, tide pools, a small town charm and free spirit that never seems to fade. Keep your dog on-leash as you enjoy the rich coastline.

Montaña de Oro

Spooner’s Cove at Montaña de Oro State Park is a great place for you and your dog to spend some quality time. The beach is a hidden treasure for dog-owners that remains undiscovered to all but the most experienced travelers.

Morro Bay

Morro Bay has some terrific strands of coastline that are dog-friendly. Go leash-free at North Point Beach—a hotspot among dog-owners and their companions, or keep the leash on fido and take stroll at Morro Rock Beach or Morro Strand Beach.

Wineries and Vineyards

The Paso Robles wine region was voted 2013’s Wine Region of the Year by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine, but the area deserves recognition from dog enthusiasts as well, based on the number of dog-friendly wineries. Sip in style with your pooch at tasting rooms in the Paso Robles wine country at some of area’s pet-friendly wineries, allowing leashed, friendly dogs on their property including Castoro Cellars, Justin Winery, Lone Madrone, Tablas Creek Vineyard and Windward Vineyard.

In the Edna Valley wine region, located south of the city of San Luis Obispo and north of the town of Arroyo Grande, wineries including Chamisal Vineyards, Talley Vineyards and Wolff Vineyards also welcome dogs. Wolff even boasts a wine named after man’s best friend. For those who want to skip the driving, Breakaway Tours offers dog-friendly wine tours with private, air-conditioned service to wineries that welcome dogs.

For a comprehensive list of pet-friendly businesses, beaches and parks, take a look at Visit San Luis Obispo County’s pet-friendly guide. For more information, visit www.VisitSanLuisObispoCounty.com