The Small California Towns Tucked Between Ocean and Wine Country

If you’re considering a weekend getaway in California with a furry friend or two, the Central Coast should be top of mind. It has every natural advantage you and your pets could want—perfect temperate weather, gorgeous rolling hills and ample parkland, pet-friendly beaches, and more—and the local culture is a laid-back mix of cowboy independence, small-town warmth, and modern perspective.

San Luis Obispo County is home to nearly 300,000 people, and includes towns like Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Cambria, Paso Robles, and San Simeon. The terrain and the culture are diverse and fun, from the beach to the hills, quaint farm country to the university-driven cosmopolitan side of SLO. Here’s our guide to help you take advantage of all of the best pet-friendly things to do in San Luis Obispo for you and your fluffy friends.

3 hours from LA
3 hours and 15 minutes from San Francisco
5 hours from San Diego

The Central Coast of California may have the very best climate in the world, as it's temperate pretty much year-round. If you want it a little cooler you can head to the beach, while the inland sections get warmer if you need a little more sunshine. With that sort of climate and the endlessly lovely topography, SLO is the perfect place to spend a ton of time outdoors with your pet.

If your pup loves a sandy romp and a dip into the Pacific Ocean, there are several great dog-friendly beaches in the Central Coast. If you want to unleash the hounds and let them run free, head to Avila Beach, and specifically to Olde Port Beach or Fisherman’s Beach, or a little further north at Toro Creek Beach, which is also known as Morro Bay Dog Beach. There are also a handful of leash-required dog beaches spread around the region, from Cayucos to Pismo and Spooner’s Cove in Montaña de Oro State Park.

If you’d rather hike, there are a slew of trails on Madonna Mountain (aka Cerro San Luis Obispo) that are perfect for novices and experts alike, and all of the paths are wide and dog-friendly. There are short and long trails spelled out at the beginning, so you can pick the version that works best for you. The Lemon Grove Loop is ideal if you’re short on time, but be aware: the trail gets way more crowded on Sundays, so plan your hike for earlier in the weekend if you can.

There are so many world-class wineries to choose from in nearby Paso Robles, and a great many of them will welcome adults, kids, and pets. Some of our favorites include Linne Calodo, Tablas Creek, Whalebone, and Hubba Wines, among so many others. If you’re looking for a serene, lovely setting first and foremost, perhaps no tasting room is more beautiful than DAOU Vineyards. DAOU Vineyards is the highest elevated vineyard on the Central Coast, which means epic views in their Mediterranean-inspired tasting room. Both sides of the city of Paso Robles are dotted with wineries, and there are some great wineries in town too—if you like big reds with a rambunctious energy, check out Herman Story.

If you and your four-legged friend want to go wine tasting at a ton of smaller wineries in one convenient place, head down to Tin City. Giornata focuses on Italian varieties, there are lovely French-inspired bottles from Union Sacre, elegant wine and stunning art at Desperada, and the aforementioned Hubba is there too. Don’t forget to stop by Etto, for lunch or for some fresh pasta to take home.

You may find yourself driving around the county a bit, in between wineries and restaurants, or between the hotel and the beach, and your pet may need a little extra time to run and stretch. Thankfully San Luis Obispo County has a ton of excellent dog parks from the coast to the hills, including the particularly friendly and well-maintained El Chorro Dog Park right near the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens. There are also dog parks in Cambria, Atascadero, Templeton, Paso Robles, and more. And if you’re looking for a slightly more adventurous spot to cry havoc and let slip the dogs, check out Dinosaur Caves Park on the coast in Pismo.

To sample the best from local waters: Don’t miss all of the oceanic pleasures in Morro Bay, including their stellar namesake oysters: Morro Bay Oyster Company and Grassy Bar Oyster Company are two hyperlocal oyster farms in Morro Bay, and their oysters taste vastly different from one another. Get a taste of both at Tognazzini’s family-owned seaside spot that highlights local seafood and overlooks Morro Rock, and has a beautiful windy strip of tables right along the water.

For a kiss of wood smoke on your plate:Finca in Paso Robles is just next to the Paso Market Walk, with a charming patio, excellent mesquite-grilled tacos, and lovely ceviche. And you can’t leave without trying some iconic Central Coast barbeque; Firestone Grill is a classic with a pet-friendly patio, as is Old SLO BBQ, among others.

To refresh your wine-drenched palate: After a day of wine tasting, spend the next one at some of the best breweries in California. There Does Not Exist makes incredible hoppy beers, great lagers, and has some of the raddest can art around. Wild Fields Brewhouse won a deserved Brewery of the Year award at Great American Beer Fest not long ago, along with their multitude of gold medals for individual beers. And BarrelHouse Brewing Co. in Tin City is one of the most fun places to hang out in the region—the energy is always raucous and fun, a good counterpoint to the typical sophisticated hush of wine tasting.

For a boutique stay in the heart of the action: The lovely and modern Hotel Cerro is smack in the middle of downtown San Luis Obispo, with 65 well-appointed rooms with lots of functional space and a laid-back rooftop pool with views of the rolling hills. The entire hotel is pet-friendly with an upcharge and an agreement to sign, and they also offer a limited number of special Waggin’ Around Downtown packages, which includes pet perks like a bed, a bowl, a toy, a treat, and an adorable bandana for your furry friend.

For a trendier time in Paso: Check out River Lodge in Paso, another entry in the eternally trendy category of revamped motels, with a good restaurant and 28 pet-friendly guest rooms. There’s a $50 fee per dog, but there’s one mega perk to River Lodge: a hammock and a patch of grass in front of every room. One note, for better or for worse depending on your travel situation: there are no children allowed in the pool.

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