September on the California coast brings the clearest weather of the year, making it an ideal month to take in the scenery and chase waves. Our favorite dog-friendly coastal-cabin hideouts start with a trio of 1940s and ‘50s era motels—Sea Breeze Inn & Cottages, Andril Fireplace Cottages and Bide-A-Wee Inn & Cottages—in the Monterey Peninsula town of Pacific Grove. All are within walking distance of dog-friendly Asilomar Beach and a gorgeous trail hugging the dramatic and much-photographed coastline
Drifting south to Big Sur, DogTrekkers on a budget gravitate to Fernwood Resort, where affordable (and lockable) tent cabins in the redwoods make a great base for semi-campers willing to BYO linens and lanterns. A bonus: the patio at the Fernwood Grill is dog-friendly, too.
Another great choice for the rustically inclined: Riverside Campground & Cabins, with 11 dog-friendly cottages, some with bath, some sharing facilities, on the banks of the gurgling Big Sur River. The establishment’s RV and tent sites are also pet-friendly, so don’t hesitate to stake a claim and save your bucks for lunch at somewhere memorable, such as the dog-friendly Coast Gallery and Café.
In San Luis Obispo County at the southern end of Big Sur, pet-friendly vacation rentals are the way for cottage-seekers to go. Check with the property management companies listed in our SLO pages, or surf the offerings at TripAdvisor, VRBO.com or HomeAway.com; to find the property that suits your budget, location and style.
