We love adventures with our furry friends! You’ll find this Dog Friendly Guide to Monterey County your perfect companion piece when it’s time for your own adventure to the California Central Coast.
We love adventures with our pups. Especially since we moved to California three years ago! We arrived with our Cairn Terrier, Pumbaa, and our Westie, Rowdie.
Pumbaa and Rowdie hiking in the California desert near Palm Springs.
Pumbaa crossed the rainbow bridge last year, and Rosie — another Cairn — joined our family. We’ve had so many adventures with all three! And course, we are always on the lookout for new places that appreciate our fur babies. 🙂
We love to hike, walk, boat and visit restaurants, wineries, hotels, and any other establishment that will take us.
Pumbaa’s first visit to a winery. It was on his bucket list when he learned he had cancer.
Tom and I with Rowdie and Rosie celebrating Independence Day at a hotel in San Diego.
Our adventures with our four-legged friends have been far more frequent in California, mostly because it’s such a pet friendly state! It took our little guys a while to learn their doggie manners while out at a restaurant. (Apparently it’s not as easy as it looks to display canine restraint when you are born a terrier). But with a few embarrassing exceptions, they’ve learned how to properly behave when we are out.
Rowdie’s first trip to a lake was so exciting for the pooch!
Dog Friendly Guide to Monterey County
In the near future, we hope to be visiting the central coast of California again, so I decided to dig into the wealth of options and create The Dog Friendly Guide to Monterey County. Hopefully my research and ideas will be helpful as you plan your next dog friendly trip!
Beaches, Parks and Hiking
The Marina State Beach in Monterey is a great place to start off with your furry friends. You can then head over to Locke-Paddon Wetland Community Park where you and your leashed pup can take in a picnic and a walk along the nature trail.. Carmel Beach, known as the mother of all beaches for your pooch, will allow your bestie to frolic and jump in the waves without a leash!
Other dog friendly outdoor places to check out in Monterey County are: Frog Pond Wetland Preserve, Toro Park, El Estero Park, Veteran’s Memorial Park (which includes a steep climb to keep you both in shape), Garrapata State Park, and Asilomar State Beach.
Check out all kinds of other dog friendly, outdoor activities at See Monterey.
Restaurants, Shopping & Wineries
In Monterey County, you’ll find pooch-friendly establishments to be in abundance!
Cafe Fina in Monterey serves Italian seafood cuisine, homemade pastas, and raviolis, and they grown their own seasonal, organic vegetables. They also feature excellent pizza from a wood-burning oven and spectacular sunsets from their beautiful location on the waterfront.
Peter B’s Brewpub, also in Monterey, welcomes your furry friend and offers flavorful dishes like Fish ‘n Chips, Swedish Meatballs and burgers, along with an extensive beer menu.
Head down the coast to Carmel-by-the-Sea and you find Anton & Michel, which has been serving fresh, creative California cuisine for over three decades.
The Village Corner Carmel Bistro is a charming indoor-outdoor Mediterranean-style bistro that serves delicious options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Del Monte Shopping Center has a plethora of restaurants with outdoor seating that is dog friendly, including California Pizza Kitchen, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, and LALLA Grill. The shopping center itself is dog friendly and offers a pet water bowl at guest services. The center boasts some of the country’s top retailers, including The Apple Store, Macy’s, Pottery Barn, Banana Republic and many more.
You can find lots of other great Monterey County dining options here!
Many of the wineries in Monterey County are fido-friendly… isn’t that awesome?
This is Chief, the pup of Joullian Vineyards and Winery owner, Tom Lerum. Located in the heart of Carmel Valley, Joullian was established in 1982. Its founders chose Carmel Valley because of its warm, temperate climate and its reputation for producing rich, flavorful wines.
Also located in Carmel Valley, Bernardus Winery creates hand-crafted wines that flatter the palate and stimulate the imagination. Their tasting fee is refunded when you make a $75 or more purchase of Bernadus wines.
Hahn Family Wines, located in nearby Soledad, offers views only surpassed by their amazing wine. Guests of the tasting room are invited to bring a picnic for pups and their humans, relax on the deck, and enjoy their favorite Hahn wines.
Hotels
Hotel Pacific is one of the many pet-friendly hotels in the area. Located in Monterey, the seaside hideaway combines coastal charm with the beachside energy of Monterey. It is situated just moments away from Cannery Row, The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf and a host of shops and restaurants.
Another excellent option is Monterey Tides, which prides itself on being “close to culture, far from crowds.” You can kayak right outside the hotel and take in the entertaining antics of sea lions, seals, and otters. The oceanfront hotel offers sweeping views and a golden sand beach. Scroll down to see how you can win a two-night stay at this beautiful hotel!
Other furry friend loving accommodations in Monterey County include: Carmel Valley Lodge, Monterey Bay Lodge and many more!
Here are a few things that might come in handy while you’re visiting the Monterey area!
In all honesty, Monterey County is SO dog friendly that I could write for another hour or two! Although this Dog Friendly Guide to Monterey County will give you an excellent start, you can peruse the many other parks, attractions, and venues you will want to consider on the See Monterey website.
Right now, you can ENTER TO WIN A COMPLETE TRIP PACKAGE, including two nights at Monterey Tides, two tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and a wine blending at Joullian Vineyards! Comment on this blog post and you will automatically be entered to be the winner!
Me, my hubs, and our terriers? We can’t WAIT to get there and take in the scenic beauty of the central coast with its warm hospitality for dog and humans alike. 🙂
xoxo,
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