Did you know that SLO CAL (San Luis Obispo County) has dog friendly beaches, hikes, parks, restaurants and more? So don't forget to bring your furry friend on your next visit to the region. With lots of open, outdoor space to run and dog-friendly places to enjoy this might be your dog's favorite trip yet!   

With a year-round temperate climate and open spaces galore, SLO CAL can fulfill the doggy-est of dog dreams. For play and a good sniff, there are dog parks up and down the coast. For exercise and exploration, there are lots of mountains with dog-friendly trails. For a tasty chow-down, there are restaurants with pup-perfect patios and even some with special dog menus. And for unbridled joy, there are dog beaches that let Rover run full-tilt on the sand—often leash-free. So pack the dog bowl and get going: your four-legged friend is going to love it here.

A quick note: The following list includes must-leash and leash-optional places in SLO CAL. For leash-optional spots, please go leash-free only if your dog is well-behaved, not aggressive and obedient to your commands. And no matter where you go, always be prepared to pick up after your pet.

Dog-Friendly Beaches

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Couple and their dog sitting on chairs at Avila Beach

The uncrowded beaches of SLO CAL are already breathtaking, but seeing dogs run, jump, chase and swim increases the joy factor considerably. These SLO CAL dog-friendly beaches, and their sandy expanses, are prefect for your pup to socialize, relax, run, play or go for a dip! 
 

William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach

Set along the coast, right off Highway 1, this beach welcomes leashed dogs. With it's protected cove and standing grills with picnic tables, enjoy a full day in the sand with your dog best-friend. 

Cayucos State Beach

In the seaside town of Cayucos, this beach beckons pups and people alike to play in the waves. Hang out around the Cayucos Pier or walk south along the shore toward Morro Bay. Leashes are required in Cayucos.

Torro Creek Dog Beach

This leash optional Morro Bay dog beach is perfect for a sandy run. White sand in all directions and low surf makes it easy for dogs to run until their hearts content and in and out of the water on a hot day. 

North Point Beach & Morro Rock Beach

South of Torro Creek Dog Beach, North Point Natural is the perfect spot to re-leash up your pup and enjoy the beach and cliffside trails. To complete the entire six-mile stretch of continuous sand from Cayucos to Morro Rock, keep the leash on and stroll Morro Rock Beach watching as Morro Rock grows in size as you approach. 

Spooner's Cove Beach

In Los Osos-Baywood Park lies Montaña de Oro State Park, one of the largest and most beloved state parks in California. Named after the golden wildflowers that grow on the mountains in spring, Montaña de Oro invites people and dogs alike to have a sniff and a picnic at Spooner’s Cove. Leashes are required here. (And note that dogs are not permitted on hiking trails or any other beaches in the park.) Take Los Osos Valley Road northwest until it becomes Pecho Valley Road, and follow signs to Spooner’s Cove Beach.

Olde Port Beach

Take your pup to Avila Beach, right off Highway 101, for a leash-free romp on this dog-friendly beach. This beach is just before Harford Pier. (Note that Avila Beach’s main beach, at the Avila Beach Pier, does not allow dogs between the hours of 10 AM and 5 PM.) 

Pismo State Beach & Oceano Dunes State Park

Left of the Pismo Beach Pier, the stretch of sand of Pismo State Beach and the Oceano Dunes State Park makes for a great on-leash spot to explore with Rover. You can even dig a hole and build a bonfire on the beach in Oceano, perfect for toasting marshmallows shoulder-to-shoulder with your furry friend. Not into getting sandy? Head to Dinosaur Caves Park on the bluff in nearby Shell Beach for ocean views that go on and on.

Dog-Friendly Hikes

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woman hiking with her dog
@maya.traveldpt

To be honest, most of SLO CAL’s numerous hikes are dog-friendly, so long as Rover stays on leash and you’re quick to pick up after him. But there are a few stand-outs that are sure to delight the four-legged frolickers among us. Here are some dog-friendly hikes not to miss. 

 

North Coast

On the 2.5-mile out-and-back San Simeon Point Trail in San Simeon, you and your pup can enjoy views of the cove and even glimpses of Hearst Castle on the hill.

Take in over 17 miles of trail at Cambria’s Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, a network of pathways that wind through native pine forest, over coastal plains and along the Pacific coastline.

In the hills above Cayucos, the Whale Rock Reservoir invites pets and their humans to hike or jog its 4-mile trail along the water’s edge.

Get your blood pumping with a 190-foot elevation gain by hiking the 2-mile there-and-back Black Hill Trail in the Morro Bay State Park.

In Los Osos-Baywood Park, the Elfin Forest Natural Area Trail includes a 1-mile wheelchair-accessible boardwalk for a leisurely hike beside the Morro Bay National Estuary.

South Coast

In Avila Beach, the Bob Jones Trail offers a paved 4-mile out-and-back path through a sycamore forest to the beach.

If your pup really needs to burn off some steam, the Ontario Ridge Trail above Shell Beach is rugged and steep at 4 miles round-trip.

In Pismo Beach, the popular Pismo Preserve welcomes pooches to frolic over trails that span the 900-acre open space.

And in Oceano, the Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve Trail offers a 2-mile loop over precious coastal dunes.

South

Inland from the coast, the remote Big Falls Trail and Little Falls Trail in eastern Arroyo Grande lie beneath emerald canopies of trees and past waterfalls and swimming holes just right for your pup on a hot day. This hike is more isolated and may require four-wheel drive.

San Luis Obispo

In San Luis Obispo, climb several mountain trails including Islay Hill Open Space, Terrace Hill, Reservoir Canyon and Cerro San Luis Obispo.

For a flatter, more casual walk, stroll San Luis Obispo’s 2.5-mile out-and-back Railroad Trail, or the 2-mile Johnson Ranch Open Space.

North

Over the Cuesta Grade, the Rinconada Trail near Santa Margarita gives dogs 4.7-mile mountainous loop to explore in the Los Padres National Forest.

For a wine country outing, enjoy the Montebello Oaks Open Space Trail in Paso Robles for an easy 2-mile out-and-back hike with your dog.

Dog Parks in SLO CAL

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dog and owners running through field on a hike
@sammi_a_wayne

Your pooch has plenty of places to play in SLO CAL, with dog parks big and small, ready to be sniffed.

  • Cambria Dog Park 
    • 📍 2021 Rodeo Ground Rd, Cambria
  • Norma Rose Dog Park 
    • 📍 2450 Ocean Blvd, Cayucos
  • Jody Giannini Family Dog Park at Del Mar Park
    • 📍 3044 Ironwood Ave, Morro Bay
  • El Chorro Dog Park 
    • ​​📍3450 Diary Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo
  • Laguna Lake Dog Park 
    • 📍 504 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo
  • Heilmann Dog Park 
    • 📍 9445 El Bordo Ave, Atascadero
  • Vineyard Dog Park 
    • 📍 1010 Semillon Ln, Templeton
  • Nipomo Dog Park 
    • 📍 904 W Tefft St, Nipomo
  • Sherwood Dog Park 
    • 📍 290 Scott St, Paso Robles
  • Elm Street Park 
    • ​📍 1221 Ash St, Arroyo Grande
  • Dinosaur Caves Park (dog-friendly, no designated dog park area) 
    • 📍 2701 Price St, Pismo Beach

Dog-Friendly Restaurants

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Couple with dog in Arroyo Grande

Why should humans get all the good grub? The good news is: SLO CAL offers lots of restaurants where pups can hang on the patio and some where they can even order up their own special plates. Most SLO CAL restaurants have outdoor seating available to take advantage of the mild, year-round weather, and most restaurant patios will welcome your four-legged friend with water, pets and maybe even their own menu.

Restaurants with Special Dog Menus
More Dog-Friendly Restaurants

With so much dog-friendly fun to be had, it didn't all fit in this article. Click here for more dog-friendly activities and lodging options!