Known as “The American Riviera,” Santa Barbara offers a stunning coastal escape with countless pet-friendly excursions along the waterfront and in the foothills. The historic downtown center is renowned for its Spanish-Moorish architecture and open-air paseos filled with shops, eateries and wine tasting rooms. Near the waterfront, a working harbor bookends the palm-lined Cabrillo Bike Path that stretches down to East Beach.
Locals love to take their pups to Arroyo Burro Beach (a.k.a. “Hendry’s), where pups can play off leash going to the east of the creek and on-leash to the right. Above the beach, no leashes are needed to explore the 70-acre Douglas Family Preserve open space. Head to Montecito to let Fido frolic (on leash) alongside dogs of the rich and famous on Butterfly Beach.
Lama Dog Tap Room & Bottle Shop is a dog-friendly destination for local wine, beer and food, where water bowls and treats are also on the menu. The Cruisery is equally dog friendly, complete with dog beds and a healthy, made-to-order dog food menu. Pups can chill while you sip at wine tasting rooms such Grassini Family Vineyards (whose mascot Duffy, a rescue, has an Instagram following of his own!) and Municipal Winemakers (add your dog pics to their #dogsofmuni Instagram feed while you’re there!).
Splurge on a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara located right on the beach north of town. Hotel Milo is a moderately priced, pup-approved option on the waterfront in the City of Santa Barbara. And Riviera Beach House places you steps away from the artsy Funk Zone neighborhood, filled with galleries, urban wine-tasting rooms, and boutiques.
