Best Dog Friendly Parks in SLO

Guinness, one of many happy patrons at El Chorro dog park

For a beach getaway, try the dog beach in Avila located on the left just before Port San Luis; while you tan during the day, your pooch can enjoy playing and meeting with new friends.  After a long day of playing, you can both snuggle up together on the warm sand while watching the beautiful sunset.

As a student, owning a dog isn’t easy; lease regulations and landlord rules make it extremely difficult to keep a pet with you at home.  But if you are one of the lucky few who have found the time, money, and home to live happily with your pup, pat yourself—and your dog—on the back, because you have gone against all odds of owning a pet in college.

Providing an exuberant life for any dog is key to its physical and mental health, so what could be better than to take your dog to parks that are exclusively devoted to dogs and their owners?  Dog parks serve as great advantages for you, your pooch, and other community members who wish to enjoy the outdoors, fresh air and good memories.

Dog parks

Emerson Park
Pismo St. & Nipomo
FREE!

Enjoy a luscious day with your friends and/or family, that serves to please everyone. With a grass-field large enough to play soccer or football, there is no wonder why this park would be great for your active dog.  Located a few short blocks away from downtown, you can walk or jog with your dog down to Pismo and Nipomo to enjoy a day’s workout at the outdoor gym, or a game of basketball on a full-sized court. Other amenities include horse shoe pits, a kitty playground, and barbecue pits with picnic tables. For those interested in gardening, a community garden is available where the public is invited to plant their favorite flowers and veggies. As a gated park, you don’t need to worry about your beloved pet running away.  Though the park advises patrons to keep dogs on leashes, feel free to let your dog run free at your own precaution. If nature calls, no need to worry, the park provides “Mutt-Mitts” for when you most need them.  This is truly a great, well-rounded park, where you get the sense that the park was built with the whole family in mind…of course, that includes your pooch.

What to bring: sun block, basketball, baseball mitt/ball, soccer ball, seeds to flower, blanket, picnic food, BBQ food, tennis shoes, your dog, friends/family, tennis ball/stick for catch, book, camera

El Chorro Regional Dog Park
Off of Highway 1, across from Cuesta College
$ 2 Entrance Fee (Free on the Weekends)
Closes at Sunset

What could make your dog happier than a fully fenced park, complete with wading tubs and toys?  As an all-volunteer built and maintained dog park, El Chorro offers a great sense of family and community among its visitors who want to enjoy a beautiful day playing and meeting with new companions. The entire park is comprised of seven different amenities: a luxurious gulf course, campgrounds, ball fields, playgrounds, a botanical garden, natural areas and trails which provide great hiking opportunities, and of course, the dog park.

It’s divided into two areas: a small area for smaller, quieter dogs, and a large area for larger, more active dogs; however, small dogs frequently venture with the “big boys.”  The park provides toys and tennis balls to keep the fun rolling, drinking fountains to help replenish your dog’s energy, and wading tubs to keep your dog cool on hot days. The ground is covered with wood chips that are donated by local lumber companies that keep the park clean and paw-safe.  Other amenities within the dog park are picnic tables and barbecue pits that allow for fun gatherings for everyone. Because the park relies on volunteers to help maintain it, visitors are encouraged to donate anything they can, including time to help keep the park clean. To maintain the park at high and happy standards, donations are kindly appreciated—donation envelopes can be found in the park entrance.

What to bring: golf clubs, balls, barbecue/picnic food, blanket, camera, towel, book, tennis shoes, sweater, camping equipment

Laguna Lake
504 Madonna Rd.
(805) 441-5100

With beautiful trails winding in and out of the surrounding mountains, this beautiful park is great to bring your pet to enjoy a beautiful day playing in the area off-leash. Though unfenced, it is set away from any traffic or posing dangers to your beloved pooch so no worries there. However, if your dog is more of the daring adventurer, it would be best to keep him or her on-leash, and just enjoy the surrounding trails and discover new sights, or walk along the lake’s edge and feed the birds. In any case you forget to bring doggie toys, or decide you want to spoil your dog(s) with delicious treats, the park is located across Madonna Plaza, where you can shop at Petcofor your dog’s conveniences.

Best Dog-Friendly restaurants

Louisa’s Place
964 Higuera street
805-541-0227

Louisa’s have been voted the best breakfast spot for three years in a row, and keeps many tummys full and happy. But the restaurant doesn’t only care about its customers. The outdoor seating is perfect for you and your pup to enjoy a beautiful day and delicious food. The waitresses, and even the manager, make sure to keep both you and your pet happy by bringing them water and special treats.

West End Espresso & Tea
670 Higuera St.
805) 543-4902‎

The patio is a great place to sit and enjoy a wonderful espresso or tea along with your pooch.  Sip on a cold drink while your dog munches on complimentary treats provided by the coffee shop.

About these ads