Cooper and I recently spent an incredible week in beautiful Santa Barbara. It was the perfect spot for a dog-friendly vacation. Read on to find out why.
1. Dog-Friendly Beaches in Santa Barbara
If you are heading to the coast with your furry best friend, a day at the beach is definitely on the agenda. Santa Barbara boasts one off-leash dog beach and a few others where leashed dogs are permitted.
Arroyo Burro Beach, called Hendry’s Dog Beach by locals, allows unleashed dogs to roam free on the south side of the lifeguard tower and leashed everywhere else. Take a walk surrounded by tall cliffs, romp in the ocean, or just relax on the sand. Parking is free, and while it is a little busy especially on weekends, we were able to find a spot pretty easily during the week. Two self-service dog wash stations are located in the lot. For $10, give your pup a bath and blow dry before heading home.
Click here for directions to Arroyo Burro Beach.
If you are hungry, stop at the Boathouse on Hendry’s Beach for tasty seafood. The small seating area bordering the beach is dog friendly. You can order food and drinks to go from their inside patio bar. I ordered their Oysters on the Half Shell and Lobster Roll which were yummy.
Click here to find out more about the Boathouse on Hendry’s Beach.
We also visited Butterfly Beach in nearby Montecito where dogs must be on a leash. The beach is a bit narrow in spots, but there is a wider area down some stairs near Butterfly Lane for sunbathing. It is a scenic place to take a walk along the water. Admire the magnificent homes right across the road. Park for free on the street.
Click here for more information about dog-friendly beaches in Santa Barbara.
2. You Can Go Sailing on Your Dog-Friendly Vacation
Picture a soft breeze whipping your hair, dolphins frolicking in the ocean, and a stunning view of the coast or sunset. This adventure can be yours at Santa Barbara Sailing Center. They offer a variety of public cruises aboard the Double Dolphin, a 50ft. catamaran with 140 square feet of deck space. Small well-behaved dogs are allowed to set sail on as long as they stay in your lap or are crated. Kayaks and stand-up boards are available for rent and are also dog friendly. Bring your own doggy lifejacket.
Click here for cruise times, pricing and tickets.
3. Santa Barbara has Redwoods
Spend a morning at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for a revitalizing walk along their 5 miles of trails. Spanning 78 acres, the garden is divided into 11 different ecosystems. Start in the meadow with its unique sundial, move on to the spectacular redwoods, meander through the wooded dell, and take a break in the desert. Every plant you see is native to California. Benches along the way provide a spot to take in nature’s beauty, and a child-friendly area includes a maze, fort, and a reading area. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Click here to discover more about the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
4. Delicious Dog-Friendly Restaurants
From State Street to the Funk Zone, Santa Barbara has an abundance of dog-friendly restaurants. Basically, if it has a patio, pups are allowed. Some of our favorites included Opal Restaurant & Bar featuring eclectic California cuisine, Holdren’s Steaks and Seafood for perfectly cooked steaks and chicken for Coop, The Lark with the most amazing, bold flavors, and Finney’s Crafthouse for the juiciest burgers. Cooper was even allowed to sit inside at Finney’s.
5. Santa Barbara Produces Some Great Wines
Venture to the Funk Zone for plenty of dog-friendly tasting rooms (inside and out) to sample wines produced in and around Santa Barbara. We stopped at The Valley Project for our first tasting. The Valley Project produces wine from all 5 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) from Chardonnay to Malbec. I loved the Kunin Grenache so much I joined their wine club. The experience was interactive and educational.
Next up, we made a stop at the Margerum Wine Company. Besides offering multiple tasting options, they serve small bites, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. The Olive Tapenade and Goat Cheese with Baguette is incredible. I chose a Library Tasting which allowed me to compare two vintages of five different varietals side by side. I preferred the older vintage in 3 out of the 5 samplings.
What to know to not stress before you go:
- Parking in Santa Barbara can be slightly challenging. State Street is closed in several areas to cater to pedestrians, and parking at the beaches is hit or miss depending on the time of day. Uber does offer Uber Pet for a few dollars extra to whisk you and your pup to your destination safely. We had no problem booking an Uber Pet ride during our trip.
- As in most cities these days, there is a homeless population especially on State Street. I did not find them to be aggressive or problematic.
- There are no public washrooms at Butterfly Beach, so plan accordingly. Arroyo Burro Beach does have bathrooms near the Boathouse.
- Santa Barbara Sailing Center offers special events monthly. Visit their website to find out more.
- Purchase your admission tickets to Santa Barbara Botanic Garden online prior to your arrival.
- Pack a picnic for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. They do have bottled and canned drinks available for purchase at their gift shop, but no food. Make sure to bring water and sunscreen.
- Reservations are highly recommended for Holdren’s Steaks and Seafoods and the Lark.
- In addition to wine tasting rooms, there are many wineries you can visit in the area. Please call ahead to check if they are dog-friendly.
For tips on another dog-friendly vacation, check out my blog on traveling to Monterey, CA!