Lucky 13 California beaches

Sun, surf and sand with your dog

We’ll have fun fun fun with our furry friends begging for a vacation at the beach. Your favorite canine will love going surfing, swimming, fetching, sniffing, sunning and digging in the sand at all of these dog-friendly beaches.

1. Newport Beach

Miles of surfer and puppy friendly sand! What furshionista would not want to walk on a leash on this expansive sandy beach, surrounded by millionaire homes? Cici thinks it is a great place to sunbathe, relax and dream. And after hours, have a bonfire with your best friend, listening to the waves crashing and munch on s’mores while telling woof woof stories.

https://theocbarkyard.wordpress.com/2015/02/11/dog-friendly-beaches-in-orange-county/

2. Torrance Beach 

Rat Beach is a little known beach near Redondo Beach in Palos Verdes Estates. Doggies can run off leash on soft sand for a mile and a half.    

http://celiasue.com/2012/06/27/july-4th-in-southern-california/

3.   Huntington Beach

Pooches can catch a wave, shoot a curl, hang four paws and practice their best moves at doggie surf camp for Surf City’s annual Surf Dog event. Three days of doggone fun for everyone.

http://surfcitysurfdog.com/

4. Laguna Beach

Romping and rolling on leash is allowed during the non-tourist season from September to June and before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. during the rest of the year. But there are still fun shops, art to paw at, doggie parks to chase other dogs in, music and dance festivals and skateboarding for pooches with imagination and energy to spare.

  http://www.lagunabeachmagazine.com/four-legged-laguna/

5. Carmel

Soak up the sun and surf at one of the dog-friendliest beaches on the planet. Canines run wild and free (one of the few leash-free beaches in California) along the sand for miles. Fodor’s and others have named Carmel the pet friendliest city in the USA for good reason. Otherwise known as doggie heaven. White sand, blue skies and waves, who could woof for anything more?

http://celiasue.com/2014/07/08/summer-fun-in-doggie-heaven/

6. Pebble Beach

After enjoying the surf and sand, canines in the know and their hoomans can watch the sunset, listen to bagpipes, and eat tasty gourmet treats on the patio fire pit area of the Inn at Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach.

http://celiasue.com/2014/07/08/summer-fun-in-doggie-heaven/

7. Pacific Grove

Asilomar Coastal Trail is where friendly furry four-leggeds sniff and explore, along Sunset Drive. There is a wooden boardwalk and bridge and lots of off leash fun to be had at Spanish Bay Beach, right after the State Beach.

http://www.coastalcaninemag.com/issues/spring2011/ccdwasilomar.html

8. Mendocino

Speaking of dog friendly coastal paradises, where else but Mendo can a dog do everything (and more) of what a dog’s gotta do? Van Damme State Beach and Noyo Beach are the hippiest and happiest places for pooches. Where else on earth can canines paddle a canoe, go kayaking, tiptoe through the tulips for free at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, get a few licks of an ice cream cone (also free), go shopping, dining and camping, all within a few miles?

http://www.mendocinofun.com/pet-friendly/

9. San Diego

Dog beach baby is where the nouveau ripe and famous go for a little R&R (rough and rambunctious), zoomies. This is the best melting spot for hot dogs of all sizes, shapes, colors, and breeds.

https://oceanbeachsandiego.com/attractions/beaches/dog-beach

10. Morro Bay

North of the Rock, at North Point Beach, canines can frolic off leash on a two-mile stretch of sand. At the Morro Bay Visitors Center (which keeps changing location), Cici had a selfie taken with a surf board.

http://www.visitsanluisobispocounty.com/blog/794/dog-friendly-beaches-abound-in-slo-county

Beach baby bungalows

11. Pismo Beach

Four paws in the sand. Do not wish to work on your tan or hate the feel of the pebbles beneath your paws? Take your hooman out for a sunset stroll along the pier. Roam the bluffs above Shell Beach at Dinosaur Caves Park.

http://www.visitsanluisobispocounty.com/blog/794/dog-friendly-beaches-abound-in-slo-county

http://celiasue.com/2013/05/02/slo-has-gone-to-the-dogs/

12. Bodega Bay

Schoolhouse Beach, Goat Rock Beach and the other state beaches are a dog’s best bet for sun and surf. Some of the campgrounds are dog friendly and others are not. The freshest fish and chips on the planet can be had at the Boat House where furry pals can party on the patio.

http://celiasue.com/2009/05/26/the-birds-fly-over-jenner/

 13. Dillon Beach

Marin county’s off leash private beach allows hoomans to call their dogs who play nice and friendly with others from the tide line to the water.

 Dillon Beach Resort – Beach

Recent travels in California

well, Cici and I are traveling at the moment. And it has been difficult, folks due to numerous circumstances which I guess is best explained below in the link.

http://www.youcaring.com/elderly-women-50-417682

As we drove from Carson City, Nevada, (where I very much enjoyed going to the Hot Springs and Cici enjoyed being part of a pack of Jack Russells (three) and conquered using a doggie door), we made the “mistake” of going via Highway 299, which I thought was not too twisty and windy but WAS not only that but also HOT HOT HOT (weather), SMOKY from all of the fires, and lots of road work going on. Then when I decided to not go back that way to make our way south, the 101 was not at all as twisty and windy as I recalled. So either I have faulty memory or what?

We stopped in Williams, CA and stayed at a very nice not pet friendly Ramada Inn. Since Cici is my service dog, we were able to stay there anyhow.

We also stopped in Santa Rosa, and at the Solar Institute in Hopland. It was good to see improvements there and we got to see a tiny home (89 square feet) up close and personal. They rent it out for $79-89 a night and it is TINIER than TINY !!!!

We did manage to meet some really kind folks in Arcata, CA (Welcoming Center), treats galore and this photo of Cici…  thanks Leah !

we wanted to see the trees (and did but for much too short a time)…

            

in our nifty new used Jeep and popup camper (don’t even get me started about how challenging it is to drive and park one of these)… suffice it to say that I have massacred a few bushes and thought that I was blocked and unable to get going on quite a few occasions but thanks to kind strangers and prayers been able to get out of REALLY tight spots !!!!

in Morro Bay, CA Visitors Center, surfing Cici dog

At the moment, we are back in the Monterey area wondering where the heck to park our camper and sorry selves… but if you read the link above, you will find out more about our adventures

Thanks for reading !

Beach baby bungalows

Beach Bungalow Inn Morro Bay

Six reasons your dog’s haircut costs more than yours!

1. Your hairdresser only cuts the top of your head, not your whole body.

2. Your haircut doesn’t include a pedicure.

3. You don’t wiggle, spin, or try to jump out of your  hairdresser’s chair.

4. You don’t go for four weeks without washing or brushing your hair.

5. You don’t try to bite the scissors, brush or the groomer.

6. Your hairdresser doesn’t give you a bath.

Pamper your Pooch – Morro Bay Style!

Pamper your Pooch Mobile Grooming Getaway – Stay the night in one of Beach Bungalow Inn’s pet friendly signature guest rooms and let them pamper your pooch. Fido’s pampering will begin with a full service bath and trim by Pampered Paws Mobile Pooch Grooming, extra fee  for these services.  All dogs are groomed using GREEN products only. * A portion of the sales from your pet grooming reservation will go directly to Woods Humane Society in our community, so book today by calling the Bungalow at: 805-772-9700. 72 hour advance reservations required for these extra services, some restrictions apply, not valid with other discounts, other promotions or during holidays and special events.

Room/Accommodation Price Range: $129 to $319

Dog-friendly policies:

•Size: Maximum 60 pounds

•Maximum number allowed: 2

•Cost per dog: $20 Per Night

•Deposit: $0

•Percentage of rooms that are dog-friendly: Over 50%

•Breed restrictions: Dogs only andtwo2 per room

Dog-friendly property amenities:

•Dog Waste Bags

•Pet Packages

•Dining/water bowls

•Special treats

•Dog-friendly hiking/activity/attractions guide/listings at front desk

•Property will assist in making dog-sitting arrangements

•Doggy blankets and mobile pet grooming available on site for extra cost

Cici and I LOVED staying at the Bungalow. It did get cool at night and the fireplace (not real wood, the  kind that turns on via the wall) was just nice and cozy. Cici did not get a grooming but she did enjoy eating some tortilla chips on the patio with me at MiCasa, a wonderful nearby Mexican restaurant. I had a gigantic chicken burrito with rice and beans on the side.  I had breakfast (compliments of the Beach Bungalow) at a nearby family restaurant that had about six tables and a few outside. The country fried potatoes with cheese and egg on top were delicious and too much for one meal.

This Boutique 1940’s motor Inn has been restored to its mid-century charm with modern conveniences. Each room offers, complimentary full breakfast, free Internet and parking, fireplace, flat screen and cable TV, Turkish robes, slippers, In-room coffee, refrigerator and premium amenities. All rooms are non-smoking; some include full kitchenettes and are Pet Friendly too. Trip Advisor, AAA and Mobile highly recommended. Locatedtwo2 blocks from the Bay, Embarcadero Harbor, beaches and majestic Morro Rock.

http://www.morrobaybeachbungalow.com/index.php/category/specials/

http://www.morrobaybeachbungalow.com/index.php/category/attractions/

Visit Website

Reservation Phone: (805) 772-9700

Local Phone: (805) 772-9700

E-mail: info@morrobaybeachbungalow.com

Address:

1050 Morro Avenue, Morro Bay, CA 93442

take 101 south to 41 morro road exit 219, turn right, to 1050

Pet-friendly red white and blue

http://celiasue.com/2012/06/27/july-4th-in-southern-california/

in northern california:

 

Fireworks of any kind are prohibited in Monterey and Carmel but are allowed in Seaside… so if you bring your pooch with you to these locations, be prepared with ID tags and calming collars or Rescue Remedy. Hold onto the dog’s leash at all times and also bring poop waste bags to clean up after your dog.

 

City of Monterey’s annual 4th of July Celebration. The Admission is Free Big Little Backyard Bar-B-Que and Entertainment Extravaganza will be held on the historic grounds of Colton Hall on Pacific Street on Friday, July 4th from 11:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Featured bands include Monterey Community Band (11:00 a.m.), Foreverland (12:00 p.m.), Red Beans & Rice (1:30 p.m.) and Lovefool (3:00 p.m.). Children’s entertainment includes free carnival booths and games, face painting, balloon artists and jump houses. Lots of great food provided by non-profit food vendors will be on sale all day.

For more information, call 646-3996 or go online to www.monterey.org/rec or www.monterey.org/july4th

The Old Monterey Business Association will be providing a 4th of July Parade on Alvarado Street at 10 a.m. For more info, please call 655-8070 or www.oldmonterey.org

the Monterey County Pops! will be offering an evening concert at the Golden State Theatre in downtown Monterey. For more info, please visit www.montereycountypops.org

Please remember fireworks of any kind are prohibited in Monterey. Have a fun and safe 4th of July

Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea

July 4, 2014, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM

Phone: (831) 620-2020 • website

Open to the public

an old-fashioned, family-style celebration in Devendorf Park across from Carmel Plaza on Ocean Avenue from noon to 4pm. Mayor Jason Burnett welcomes everyone at noon followed by entertainment by “Cheeky Spanks” with lots of fun and games for kids! Bring a blanket or chairs at the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea.  technically dogs are not supposed to be there but no one will mind, it could be loud, be prepared with poop bags, have dog on leash, in a doggie stroller, walk around and visit the fountain of woof at carmel plaza, and go to the beach.

There will be hot dogs, cold drinks, chips, ice cream, watermelon, and cookies! Get there early, supplies are limited!  All food and festivities are FREE! Food will be provided by local service clubs and groups such as Carmel Host Lions, Mission Trail Lions, Yes for Carmel!, Carmel Heritage, Carmel Woman’s Club, Carmel Chamber, and much more!

For more information please contact (831) 620-2020.

** NO FIREWORKS ARE ALLOWED ANYWHERE IN CARMEL **

SLO/Morro Bay

July 4th Weekend Art in the Park, July 4, 5 & 6, 2014

You can bring your pup with you to this free event. Attendees will witness art created live, and have the opportunity to purchase beautiful works of art made by fine local artists. The event takes place at Morro Bay City Park and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all three days.

 

10 Pet-Friendly Boutique Hotels and B&B Inns in California

California boutique hotels and B&Bs make it easy to travel on vacation with four-legged friends.  There are more than 70 pet-friendly member inns of the California Association of Boutique and Breakfast Inns (CABBI), many of which go out of their way to pamper pooches with special treats, blankets and more.

10 of the most pet-friendly inns in the state; many more can be found at www.cabbi.com/pet-friendly/.

 

Mama’s day weekend in SLO

Mothers day is Sunday May 12… next weekend !!!

What’s cooking for Mothers Day?  Why not take your mom to dog friendly SLO for a week or the weekend?

San Luis Obispo County Has Tons of Dog Friendly Places to Explore

San Luis Obispo is located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and a few hours south of Monterey county. It is known as the Happiest City in America… According to Dan Buettner’s National Geographic book Thrive, “San Luis Obispo has snagged the top spot for happiest people in America.”

Below are some suggestions of dog friendly places to stay and visit while you are in SLO.

Take a dog friendly wine tour in Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo regions with a Breakaway Tours Dog Day Wine Tour.

www.breakaway-tours.com

Mom and dog can learn how to surf at Pismo beach with miles of lovely sand and waves. Amble along the boardwalk, fish from the historic pier, or explore Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, which hosts an average 25,000 butterflies per season.

Lunch at the Splash Cafe (try the yummy clam chowder) is a must.

Mom and pooch will feel right at home at a pet friendly oceanfront hotel such as the SeaCrest OceanFront. Ask for their Celebrity Pet Package which includes a pet bed, food bowls, a pet concierge brochure, and a 5 acre lawn area for pets to do their business (with pet waste stations along the way) and direct beach access to the pet friendly Pismo beach.   More info at www.petfriendlypismobeach.com

Take a walking tour of the downtown of the Happiest City, SLO, visit Bubble Gum Alley, the dogs will LOVE the creek that goes through downtown, and dogs are even welcome at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. Also, check out the pet boutique Tails for yummy treats for the canines. Other pet friendly attractions include the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens.

Enjoy a leisurely dinner at a pet friendly restaurant such as Luna Red. Their patio is filled with guests and their four legged friends. And the food and wine is to drool for. Organic, sustainable fresh seafood and salads.   Crab lasagne, wild boar spare ribs and a variety of vegetarian fare.

http://www.lunaredslo.com/storage/Dinner%20Menu%20March%202013.pdf

After dinner, head on down to Grover Beach, and relax at a beach party with bonfires, wine and s’mores and all.  Beach Butlerz will set up bonfire pits, each with a good supply of seasoned firewood, luxe beach chairs, a Luxe Cabana (ultra style), tiki torches, and a 12–‐foot tall teepee decked out with plush pillows and all the fixings to create s’mores. The marshmallows are huge and the service is magical. All you need is a full moon to get the party started (and some lit bocci balls).

Beach Butlerz
(805) 878-4283; www.beachbutlerz.com

Pooches all aboard on a Tiki Boat tour of the Morro Bay Harbor on the Lost Isles Cruise.  View the wildlife in their natural habitat, and sea otters, seals, sea lions, and a wide variety of birds in Morro Bay’s beautiful estuary. The dogs will love the sounds of the sea life.  www.baycruisers.com

Lots of shopping and meandering after the cruise along the Embarcadero… Then enjoy a great meal of freshly caught fish, smoked oysters, calamari, fish and chips and more. at Tognazzini’s Dockside Restaurant. Tognazzini’s is also home to three beautiful and friendly white Labs.
www.bonniemarietta.com/Dockside-Restaurant.htm

Before you leave the coast, be sure to take a coastal hike at one of the many pet friendly parks such as Montana De Oro (Mountain of Gold).

After lunch, you may want to relax or head up the coast to San Simeon. Tour the infamous Hearst Castle (or save that for the next day). www.hearstcastle.org

Dogs are NOT allowed at the castle.  If you want to visit and do not want to leave the dogs alone, hire a pet sitter from Faithful Friend Pet Sitting Service.

You can also enjoy wildlife viewing including bird-watching, whale-watching, sea otter preserves, and elephant seal viewing and the dogs can roam along the beach.

Stay at the pet friendly Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, Cambria and San Simeon’s only oceanfront accommodation that offers direct beach access to dog friendly beaches and 14 acres for walking the dogs. A King room with oceanview has a fireplace and your very own patio. There is a hot tub/jacuzzi and pool on property and bonfires at sunset.

Check out the artistic town of Cambria. Be sure to enjoy lunch or dinner at Robin’s Restaurant. The gorgeous garden patio will be a treat for the dogs and your mom alike. The food will please everybody. Unique starters such as Singapore chicken sate, fresh inviting straight from the garden salads and curried chicken and other sandwiches are what’s for lunch. For dinner, lamb curry, Tail Lobster Enchiladas, Malaysian chicken and Moroccan duck breast entrees, plus delectable desserts (hot fudge sundaes with coffee ice cream and pistachio nuts) , Robin’s seasonal menus are prepared from scratch.

www.robinsrestaurant.com

Top off the weekend with a visit to one of Paso Robles pet friendly wineries. Ecluse features Bordeaux and Rhone style wines, as well as their fabulous Zinfandel. Meet and greet Ecluse Winery’s blind dog Toby. www.eclusewines.com

Ecluse has a special love for dogs and produces “Blind Dog Wines” In honor of their assist dogs that both lost their vision, they have created an eclectic blend of some of the best Paso Robles reds. A percentage of proceeds from “Blind Dog Midnight Run Cuvee” will be donated to Dogs for the Deaf in Central Point, Oregon.

Stroll through downtown Paso Robles after the wine tour and shop in stores like Sealed with a Kiss. Pet friendly retailers offer special treats and you can enter the Thomas Hill Organics dog friendly patio restaurant from this store. www.thomashillorganics.com

Brunch or lunch will be a feast of the eyes as mouth watering plates piled high will fill your tummy. The menu features organic produce from their farm and highlights unique wines from sustainable growers on the Central Coast. Thomas Hill Organics also provides local organic grass fed beef, lamb and free range organic poultry.  Smoked Salmon Omelette, PC Cattle Burger, Pumpkin Bread French Toast, and more. Gluten free bread upon request.

http://www.thomashillorganics.com/menu_files/Brunch%20Menu.pdf

Whatever you do, your dog and mom will feel lucky, refreshed and grateful for the great getaway.

Dog Parks

– Dinosaur Caves Park, Price St., Pismo Beach

– Elm Street Dog Park, Ash St., Arroyo Grande

– El Chorro Regional Dog Park, Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo

Dog Friendly Beaches

– Pismo Beach, To the left of the pier

– Port San Luis / Avila Beach, Between 2nd and 3rd pier

– Oceano Dunes, Off of Hwy 1 exit

 

http://baywoof.com/featured-article/first-ever-dog-friendly-media-tour-sniffs-out-the-best-in-san-luis-obispo/

 

http://jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend

http://www.jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend-day-2

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link

SLO has gone to the dogs…

Cici got to travel on a Tiki tour boat and see/hear the sea otters, seals and seal lions in Morro Bay.  She kept looking around and sniffing for fish.

And we met a chi-wow-wow named Lillie who out-diva’d my polka dot princess.  Seriously this tiny pup has x-ray eyes, follows her guardian man Leslie wherever he goes and does not stop shaking until he comes back to her. Then she sat on my chest and went into Zen meditation mode. What a cutie, am missing her already.  (me and Lillie and her dad Leslie at Thomas Organics restaurant in Paso Robles).

Emma, some kind of heeler, herder puppy, two years old, with a black eye, Cici and Emma had some fun together playing, jawing, wrestling, running around on the beach.

April, an adorable Beagle mix, also white but with some brindle/brown markings. Cici and April chased one another, too.  Here are most of the dogs walking with Robyn.

Zoe, the Saluki, kind of kept to herself (I think she is kind of scared of other dogs) and she is a lapdog.

and Demi (who I keep wanting to call Murphy), a Heinz 57 type of gal with her mom Deb at the Ecluse Winery (Deb took all of these photos except the Saluki).

can you imagine a more diverse group of dogs???

All of the dogs are female and they and their owners/guardians and I went on a press trip (very intense) for three days and two nights to San Luis Obispo county (seven cities in three days)… whew !!!     (Cambria, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, San Simeon, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles).   www.visitSanLuisObispoCounty.com

will be writing more about the FUN we had and the dog friendly places we met along the way in future blog posts including one for  Mama’s Day which is coming up May 12.

All of the dogs also got to meet some white Labs and a blind dog named Toby at the Ecluse winery in Paso Robles.

A great time was had by ALL…lots of divine food, wine and treats and s’mores at Grover Beach…

well except for one day…  every dog has her day…

Cici’s terrible horrible no good very bad day…

well, you know that Cici has three nemesis, right…

1. cats

2. bull dogs

3. skateboards (and scooters)

all three of the above make her freak out… bark and act like she is having a canine melt down…

and guess what happened to my girl?

she met all three of her nemesis in ONE day… and she flipped out….

otherwise, we all had tons of fun…

More about the trip/media tour…

 

http://baywoof.com/featured-article/first-ever-dog-friendly-media-tour-sniffs-out-the-best-in-san-luis-obispo/

http://jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend

Lily

http://www.jetsetextra.com/destinations/north-america/united-states/california/san-luis-obispo/san-luis-obispo-county-welcomes-your-furry-little-friend-day-2