Featured hikes
Douglas Family Preserve
Santa Barbara
The 70-acre Douglas Family Preserve (DFP) is located near the intersection of Cliff Drive and Las Positas Road in the Mesa neighborhood.
Read more
Rattlesnake Canyon Trail
Santa Barbara
This is probably the most popular canyon trail hike in the Santa Barbara front country. It's especially popular with dog walkers due to the year-round stream and lush habitat that provide water and shade along the route.
Read moreOther hikes
Arroyo Burro Trail
Santa Barbara
This hike is a challenge. It's one of the rare front country hikes that has uphill both on the way up and on the way back, and all of it is steep. It's a...
Read moreSeven Falls Trail
Santa Barbara
Seven Falls Trail is a popular, dog-friendly hike in the Los Padres National Forest. It's best just after a rain, when the waterfalls are flowing and swimming holes are full.
Read moreMore Adventures in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara with your dog: what locals keep quiet
Santa Barbara's dog-friendly secret isn't on the downtown wharf: it's in the foothills, the canyons, and a beach the locals still call Hendry's. Here's where we actually go on a Central Coast weekend.
Read more
Dog-friendly Santa Barbara: guide to the American Riviera
Santa Barbara runs deep on dog-friendly options. From the off-leash sand at Arroyo Burro Beach to Douglas Family Preserve blufftops, Funk Zone wine tasting, and patio dining citywide, we map the best spots to bring your dog.
Read more
Dog-friendly patios in California: Your spring outdoor dining guide
Spring in California means one thing for dog owners: patio season is officially open. California legalized dogs on restaurant patios in 2014, and since then the dining scene for pup parents has only grown. Our statewide guide to dog-friendly outdoor…
Read more
Dog-friendly Easter weekend getaways in California
Easter weekend is the perfect excuse to hit the road with your dog. California is packed with dog-friendly destinations where you and your pup can soak up spring, from the off-leash beaches of Carmel to the wine country patios of…
Read more
California’s best coastal dog-friendly towns
From Mendocino's Victorian headlands to Laguna Beach's gallery-lined streets, California's best coastal towns have quietly reshaped themselves around four-legged visitors. Expect water bowls at storefronts, treats at hotel check-in and patios where dogs are the guests of honor.
Read more
The best ultra dog-friendly hotels in Southern California
Southern California's best dog-friendly hotels go far beyond a simple pets-allowed policy. From Loews Coronado Bay's bayside paths to La Quinta Resort's 45 acres of gardens, these properties treat dogs like honored guests with dedicated amenities and genuine hospitality.
Read more