With International Dog Day August 26, there’s still time for travelers to celebrate their pup! Before the dog days of summer come to an end, please find some dog-friendly tasting rooms, hotels, and more in Santa Barbara CA. With plenty of parks, old-world style promenades, and beaches, the seaside town has plenty to offer for travelers and their companions.
Where to Eat with Your Pup
Tasting Rooms: Located in the Funk Zone, Municipal Winemakers has plenty of treats and water bowls on hand for any furry friend tagging along for a tasting. Here, visitors can sip local wine or check out food pop-ups and events with their pups, encouraging guests to share any photos on social with the tag #dogsofmuni. In the Presidio neighborhood, dog owners can try Au Bon Climat, a recipient of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s “Top 100 Wineries of the World” for 2020, 2021, and 2022. During their visit, pups will receive lots of love, water, and treats. For those looking for an oceanfront experience, Deep Sea Tasting Room allows dogs on their patio located at the historic Stearns Wharf to enjoy panoramic views while their humans sip on Conway Family Wines.
Dining: Several restaurants across Santa Barbara offer outdoor seating areas where guests can bring their dogs, including Tre Lune in Montecito, The Nugget in Goleta, and more. Local and family favorite Brewhouse offers a special dog menu with items like “Fido Burgers” and pupsicles to enjoy on a warm summer day!
Activities With Your Pup
- Arroyo Burro Beach: Just ten minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, Arroyo Burro is a designated dog beach in Santa Barbara. While the destination’s other beaches welcome dogs, Arroyo Burro allows dogs off-leash in select areas. Thanks to light surf and close parks nearby, dogs can swim, take walks along the bluffs, or get a bath at one of the beach’s self-serve washing stations.
- Ellwood Mesa Trails: The 230-acre, dog-friendly nature space offers ten miles on unpaved trails great for hiking and running. The largest publicly-owned space on Santa Barbara’s coastline, Ellwood Mesa’s at times rugged terrain and paths have left this natural stretch of coast nearly undisturbed. Ellwood Beach offers stunning views of the bluffs found along the preserve and is ideal for collecting beach glass during a rest break on a hike.
- Sunset Kidd: The sailing yacht allows up to two dogs per party onboard for its sailings, which guests can book for a sunset sail, private charters, or daytime excursions in the Santa Barbara Channel.
Where to Stay with Your Pup
- The Milo: Newly relaunched hotel greets guests with complimentary baggies and doggie treats for the guests’ and their convenience. The property underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, including revamped outdoor spaces across its 121-room hacienda-style retreat.
- Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort: The seaside hotel offers the Doggone VIP program, so your dog gets a nice vacation too. The program offers amenities like pet water stations at the main entrance, tennis balls and treats at check-in, and a dog-friendly gourmet pet menu at The Set, the onsite restaurant. Most unique, pets can schedule a photo shoot with Santa Barbara’s premier pet photographer, WinkFace Photography, capturing them in all their glory in and around Santa Barbara.
- Kimpton Canary Hotel: The property has a partnership with Wag!, allowing guests complimentary access to WAG! PREMIUM (including 10% off all services booked, waived booking fees, and 24/7 vet chat). Wag! connects pet parents with professional pet caregivers for pet walking, boarding, or sitting. Dogs can also enjoy amenities, including food and water bowls, dog beds, and more.
- The Leta: Perfect for families seeking a sunny coastal escape, the converted motel boasts a heated outdoor pool and offers pups a complimentary pet bed upon request and no pet fee. Located just off the iconic Pacific Coast Highway and historic US 101, the Leta is perfect for travelers and their pets looking for a laid-back getaway.
- Rosewood Miramar Beach: This beachside retreat offers spacious accommodations on a beautiful property set along the Pacific coast. Guests of the Rosewood Miramar Beach are welcome to bring their dog (a one time fee of $175 applies) and will be pleased to know that their pup will be treated to tasty offerings from the resort’s custom pet menu and exclusive pet products and amenities.