Alice's Restaurant in Woodside is a legendary California gathering spot that has been welcoming diners and their dogs for decades. Perched at the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and La Honda Road at 17288 Skyline Boulevard, this iconic eatery sits among towering redwood trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains, offering a one-of-a-kind dining experience that feels worlds away from the hustle of Silicon Valley, even though it is just minutes from the Peninsula’s tech corridor.
Dogs are welcome on the restaurant’s spacious outdoor deck and enclosed veranda, where space heaters keep things comfortable on chilly mountain mornings and evenings. The outdoor seating is set beneath the redwood canopy, creating a shaded, relaxing environment that dogs and their owners both enjoy. Alice’s even has a special menu item for canine guests: the Winston Burger, a plain patty made specifically for dogs, so your dog can enjoy their own meal while you dig into yours.
The human menu at Alice’s is hearty and satisfying, with a focus on classic American comfort food. Gourmet burgers are a specialty, including creative options named after motorcycles like the Kawasaki, topped with green chilies and jack cheese. Breakfast and brunch offerings include scrumptious scrambles, French toast platters, and eggs prepared every which way. Homemade pies are a tradition here, and the sweet potato fries are a fan favorite. Local microbrews are available on tap alongside a selection of California wines.
Part of what makes Alice’s so special is the eclectic atmosphere. Originally built in the early 1900s as a general store to support the local logging industry, the building became a restaurant in the 1950s and was renamed by Alice Taylor in the 1960s. Today it draws a colorful mix of motorcyclists, cyclists, hikers, equestrians, families, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, and dog owners, all sharing the outdoor deck and swapping stories. On weekends, the parking lot fills with Harleys, road bikes, and exotic cars, creating a people-watching scene that is as entertaining as the food is satisfying.
The location on Skyline Boulevard makes Alice’s an ideal stop during a day of exploring the Peninsula’s mountain roads and trails. Nearby hiking options include Wunderlich County Park, Huddart County Park, and Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, many of which allow leashed dogs on their trails. After a morning hike through the redwoods, there is no better reward than settling into a table at Alice’s with your tired, happy dog resting at your feet.
Alice’s Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the laid-back mountain atmosphere makes it a place where you will want to linger. For dog owners exploring San Mateo County and the surrounding redwood-covered hills, Alice’s is an essential destination that combines great food, a genuinely dog-friendly welcome, and a slice of California history that you and your dog will not soon forget.
