Rossotti's Alpine Inn is a dog-friendly bar and eatery in Portola Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, and it holds the distinction of being the second oldest continually operating tavern in California. Founded in 1852 as Casa De Tableta by Felix Buelna, a former San Jose mayor, the establishment was originally created as a roadhouse where country men could meet, play cards, drink, and dance. Over the decades it changed hands several times, and by 1956 it was formally renamed Alpine Inn Beer Garden, though locals have long referred to it simply as Rossotti’s or Zott’s. The property was listed as a California Historical Landmark in 1969 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Dog owners will love the sprawling outdoor beer garden, where well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at your table. The relaxed, casual atmosphere of the beer garden is perfect for spending a sunny afternoon with your dog while enjoying burgers, sandwiches, and other classic pub fare alongside a cold beer or craft beverage. The shaded picnic tables and open-air setting give dogs plenty of room to settle in comfortably while you soak up the history and scenery of this iconic Portola Valley gathering spot.
Beyond its dog-friendly appeal, the Alpine Inn holds a remarkable place in technology history. In 1976, a group of Stanford Research Institute scientists sat at one of the beer garden’s picnic tables and participated in the first two-network TCP/IP transmission, sending an electronic message between a specialized SRI van parked next to the inn and UCLA via ARPANET. This event is considered a pivotal moment in the development of the internet, making the Alpine Inn a pilgrimage site for tech enthusiasts as well as dog lovers.
In 2018, when the property was put up for sale, three local Portola Valley families joined together with the Avenir Restaurant Group to purchase and restore the Alpine Inn for future generations. Today the inn continues to serve as a community gathering place that honors its storied past while welcoming a new generation of visitors and their dogs. The surrounding area offers beautiful scenery and nearby trails, making it easy to combine a visit to Rossotti’s with a dog-friendly hike in the Portola Valley foothills. With a 4.6-star Google rating from over 3,200 reviews, Rossotti’s Alpine Inn is a well-loved spot among locals and visitors alike.
