Pet-Friendly Santa Barbara Activities

Santa Barbara, a lovely small city that hugs the California shoreline north of Los Angeles, offers so many ways to relax. And if you’re bringing along your pup, you’re in luck, because pet-friendly Santa Barbara activities abound. Dogs are welcome on beaches, on the wharf, on restaurant patios, and in downtown shops. You can walk with your dog for miles along the coast and even enjoy a glass of wine at a local winery with Fido at your feet.

Traveling with my furry companion is so enjoyable. Whenever possible, I bring Bailey along. And of all of the places I’ve traveled with Bailey, I’ve found Santa Barbara to be one of the most welcoming. Don’t hesitate to bring your best friend along on your trip here.

It’s good to know about the best places to go with your pet before you arrive in Santa Barbara. Read on for some especially enjoyable activities. Your dog will have a ball, too!

Hi there! This post may contain affiliate links. That means I earn a bit of money if you purchase products through me. This involves no extra cost to you and it helps me maintain this blog.

Traveling with your pooch? Here are supplies I use to keep my dog safe and happy.

This collapsible water bowl goes along to every hotel room and restaurant.

Take along blankets for your car and for the hotel room. Keep your dog cozy!

Use a harness along with a leash to keep your dog from pulling and hurting his neck when he sees strange and exciting new sights.

Let your dog carry his own poop bags with this dispenser that attaches to a leash.

And stock up on poop bags. Some hotels and parks have dispensers, but always be prepared.

Take a supply of small paper plates to feed your dog on when you are at a restaurant or in a hotel room. If you forget or run out, ask your food server to bring a take-out box for feeding your dog.

When you know your destination cities, search for dog-friendly restaurants and make a list. If you’re not sure of a restaurant’s policy, call before your trip to find out whether your dog is welcome.

Where Is Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is just a two-hour drive north of Los Angeles, so it’s a perfect choice for a quiet weekend getaway. And if you’re driving the California coastal route, Santa Barbara is an ideal place to spend a day or two during your road trip.

Here’s the lay of the land for your explorations of Santa Barbara

It helps to know that the main street of downtown, State Street, runs north from the shore. The wharf reaches over the water just south of State street. The street that hugs the shore is Cabrillo Boulevard. You can walk or bike to see many of the attractions, as streets go under Highway 101 and nothing is far apart.

Many numbered parking lots dot the downtown area. Take a photo of your parking lot so you remember which one to return to and the street it’s on. If you’re a visitor, it’s easy to confuse the street names such as Anacapa and Anapamu, and Cabrillo and Castillo and Carillo.

Walk along the harbor on The Fisherman’s Walk

The ocean beckons, so once you arrive in town, you will want to head to the shore. For a pleasant walk with your dog, choose the harbor, where East Cabrillo Boulevard turns into Shoreline Drive. Boats bob in the current, kayaks and sailboats glide through the calm waters, and the paved walkway lined with lawn is ideal for your friend.

Turn left at the end of the walkway onto The Fisherman’s Walk.

You can take this down past shops to the breakwater. This section is lined with flags, gives you a view back to the city and the foothills, with the harbor right in front of you. Look across the small bay to the wharf, and you my spy surfers riding the waves.

Visit Iconic Santa Barbara at Stearns Wharf

Stearns Wharf, at the foot of State Street at East Cabrillo, is one of the oldest operating piers on the West Coast. This historical landmark is home to restaurants serving fresh seafood, a handmade ice cream shop, and souvenir stores. Walk along the pedestrian side of the wharf to the end to get your fill of ocean views.

The wharf is made of wooden planks. Sometimes a dog may feel uncomfortable on these boards. My dog was fine, but keep in mind that you’ll want to try going just a short distance to make sure your pooch is okay with the planks moving a bit as cars drive over.

Stroll (or ride!) on the Cabrillo Bike Path

One of the popular paved paths along the shoreline in Santa Barbara is the Cabrillo Bike Path. This path runs along East Beach and extends for several miles, providing a wonderful route for walking with your dog. You may want to veer across the lawn to the sidewalk to avoid bicycles and surreys. And always keep an eye out for approaching bicyclists.

And you may want to rent a surrey and take your friend for a ride along this path. It’s flat, scenic, and fun!

This is one of my favorite paths to take with my pup. Bailey does not like sand, so staying on a paved path along the shore is perfect for us. Enjoy the fresh ocean breeze and take in the picturesque surroundings. Tall palms line the path, and the foothills lie to the north. From this path, you are sure to appreciate the natural beauty of Santa Barbara.

Check out one of the seven beaches

Santa Barbara boasts seven beaches, each with a distinct personality. And some are dog-friendly!

Butterfly Beach is to the south of East Beach across from the elegant Four Seasons Resort. This is a dog-friendly beach as long as the dogs are on leash. Park on the street and take the cement stairways leading down to the sand. Butterfly beach is known for spectacular sunset views.

While dogs must be on leash at Butterfly Beach, both Shoreline Park and Arroyo Burro Beach allow off-leash play. If your dog loves the water, head to these beaches for a time of romping and playing in the waves.

A lovely couple with their poodle told me they love going to Summerland. Just a few miles south of Santa Barbara, Summerland is a charming, small beach community that offers a relaxing and scenic beach experience.

Summerland can give you a quieter and more serene beach experience compared to some of the more well-known beaches in the Santa Barbara area. This may be better for some dogs who don’t thrive in a busy place.

Explore Santa Barbara’s Historic Downtown

Walk up State Street from Stearn’s Wharf and in a few blocks, you will be in the downtown. It’s filled with quaint shops and restaurants. If you prefer to drive, you’ll find street parking as well as parking lots that charge a small fee. You are aiming for the area bordered by East de la Guerra, Santa Barbara Street, East Sola, and De la Vina Street.

You can relax in the center of downtown because its streets are pedestrianized. You and your pup can wander and be safe. First, walk either direction on State Street, where many quaint shops and restaurants are located. Stop at a sidewalk café for lunch or a cold drink. Wander through antique stores. Or shop at name-brand stores. Many of the stores are dog-friendly and hand out treats.

Santa Barbara’s downtown provides charming old courtyards that branch off State Street. My favorite is La Arcada Courtyard, with its art galleries, stone fountain, and tile stairways. Sit on the bench with Ben Franklin. Notice the ship’s canon hanging high on a wall. The ambience of Santa Barbara is here. And it all makes for a great spot for photos with your fur friend.

One great place to go with your dog is The Book Den. This one of-a-kind bookshop at 15 East Anapamu, just off State Street, opened here in 1933. Previously in San Francisco, The Book Den has been serving Santa Barbara for almost a century. It’s nestled between other shops, so you want to look closely to find it. And then, enter to peruse shelves and tables of recently published books as well as used and out-of-print books on subjects ranging from Art and Literature to History to the Sciences.

Delve into nature at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

This is one of my favorite pet-friendly Santa Barbara activities. Up into the foothills, just three miles from downtown, you’ll find the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Your pup is welcome – and greeted with dog biscuits – at this 78-acre preserve.

Enter through a meadow filled with flowers and continue on the path to the redwood grove. This is my Bailey’s favorite area of the Botanic Garden. He prances along the dirt paths, crosses little bridges over the creek, and sniffs all the delightful smells of the forest.

The Botanic Garden contains more than 1,000 plants, trees, and flowers, and all are native to the State of California. Features of the gardens include an authentic Japanese Teahouse and Garden and the historic Mission Dam, built here in 1807 to divert water to the nearby Santa Barbara Mission.

As you wander, be sure to admire the views at different places in the gardens, especially on the Porter Trail. Take in the Santa Ynez Mountains in one direction, then look out to the ocean and on a clear day you can see the Channel Islands.

Allow at least an hour to see different parts of the gardens.

Walk on a scenic bluff above the water at the Douglas Family Preserve

The Douglas Family Preserve in Santa Barbara is a beloved 70-acre open space with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. It’s located near Santa Barbara Community College. Visit this popular spot with your pooch for hiking, dog walking, and nature appreciation.

A network of trails winds through eucalyptus groves, coastal scrub, and open fields. These trails are relatively easy and accessible for all fitness levels. In other words, this is level hiking, more like a walk on dirt paths without climbing hills. The preserve is home to various birds, small mammals, and native plants, making it a peaceful place to connect with nature.

While the preserve is dog-friendly, staying on established paths helps protect the habitat and ensures your safety. Dogs are welcome off-leash in designated areas, making it a perfect spot for well-behaved pups to roam and explore. I keep my dog on a leash here because that’s what he’s used to, and that’s fine, too.

Pro tip: In spring, several dogs wear face netting to avoid getting fox tails. I kept my dog on the trails and had no problems. But you may want to consider a net for dogs who will be off leash or who love to run off trail.

Your dog will enjoy exploring trails while you appreciate the breathtaking views of the coastline and the Channel Islands. It’s a win-win activity.

Feeling ambitious? Take the path down to Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry’s Beach), which has off-leash areas for dogs to enjoy.

Park on adjacent residential streets such as Mesa School Lane, Borton Drive, and Medcliff Road for easy access to the preserve.

Have a fun photo shoot with your pet

Santa Barbara gives you an unlimited variety of scenic places to take photos of your pet. Of course, there’s the shoreline, the harbor, and Stearns Wharf. The white adobe historic buildings with red roofs are found throughout the town. Also, the multicolored tile stairs make wonderful backdrops. Try Paseo Nuevo downtown or La Arcada.

You can also head to the lovely Santa Barbara Mission.

Where to Eat in Santa Barbara

Here are a few dog-friendly places to eat in Santa Barbara. I’ve found that any eatery with outdoor dining will welcome you.

Chad’s

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Chad’s. This restaurant snagged a prime location right across from the waterfront with amazing views. And the breakfast foods, especially the pancakes, are yummy. Sit outside on the patio under a perky yellow umbrella and savor your food and morning coffee as you gaze at the beach.

Santa Barbara Fish House

My favorite dinner place in Santa Barbara is the Fish House. With it’s location right across the street from the beach. And the fresh fish is scrumptious. I always get macadamia nut crusted sea bass because it’s exquisite. Your pup can relax on the patio while you eat.

McConnell’s Ice Cream

Top off your day with an ice cream from McConnell’s. You’ll easily find the shop because a line of people will be coming out the door. And the wait is worth it. McConnell’s has served handmade ice cream for 70 years, and it’s a creamy delight. No preservatives or fillers, just flavors like salted caramel and Dutchman’s chocolate.

If your dog can eat ice cream, get a small cup or cone of vanilla so you can all share in the delight.

Two locations in Santa Barbara scoop up the goodness: 120 State Street and 728 State Street.

Where to stay in Santa Barbara

Many hotels in Santa Barbara are dog-friendly. Here are two that I especially like. Both have a residential neighborhood behind them where you can walk your dog, with plenty of lawns and bushes. A park is nearby. And these are right at the beach, so you can explore the shoreline without driving.

Hotel Milo

This beachfront hotel provides a charming place to stay with your dog. Hotel Milo comfortable and pleasant, with some rooms boasting an ocean view. Walk from here to the harbor or Stearns Wharf. And in cooler weather, relax by a fire pit in the evening.

Book your dream stay at Hotel Milo and enjoy this perfectly located, charming hotel.

Marina Beach Motel

The Marina Beach Motel on Bath Street, just a half block from the water, opened in January 1941. While the rooms are comfortably and tastefully modern, the footprint of the original motel remains. The rooms form a U, and you can park right in front of your unit, just like in bygone days. In the center of the U, a lawn and outdoor furniture beckon you to relax. Bicycles and a surrey are available for no additional charge.

Enjoy a breakfast of local pastries, bagels, and yogurt on the patio with your pooch.

Book your stay at the Marina Beach Motel for a relaxing vacation and easy walk to the Santa Barbara Harbor.

The Mar Monte Hotel

Just steps from the beach, this charming boutique hotel gives you luxury and views of the water. The vibe of the Mar Monte Hotel is modern and sophisticated, with some rooms boasting private balconies that face either the coast or the mountains. The coastal décor is perfect for a seaside getaway.

While this is a bit of a walk from Stearns Wharf, you can choose to stroll along the paved path lined with palm trees and lawns, or ditch your shoes and set out on the beach.

Book your stay at the Mar Monte for beachside fun in the sun.

You will discover a myriad of pet-friendly Santa Barbara activities.Your pup is sure to be welcomed with attention and treats. Many locals and other visitors will stop to greet you and chat about your dog. Give your best friend an adventure to enjoy and remember – in Santa Barbara!

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANTA BARBARA

3 Hotels on the Beach in Santa Barbara

Exploring Historic Santa Barbara

Fun Things to Do in Santa Barbara

Visiting Iconic Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara

PIN IT FOR TRAVEL PLANNING!