Best Cities for Dogs in Southern California
Whether you’re taking your dog on vacay or planning a cross-country move, California should be on your short list. Cali is a fabulous state for dogs…and their people, too! Southern California in particular is one of the most dog-friendly places in the country thanks to an unbeatable combination of beautiful weather, urban amenities, and laid-back attitudes.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is more than just a playground for the well-to-do; it’s a playground for some of the world’s best-kept pooches! It’s home to a few amazing dog-friendly beaches like the off-leash Hendry’s Beach as well as lots of natural places to roam such as Chase Palm Park. Santa Barbara is also home to one of the most sought-after boarding facilities in the U.S., the Camp Run-A-Muk, which actually has a rock-lined wading pool. For dogs.
Los Angeles
LA is a huge city, but almost all of it is dog-friendly. Hollywood has over 25 pet-friendly restaurants and is an excellent place for pet fashion, if you’re into that sort of thing. LA proper (particularly Beverly Hills) has dozens of high-end hotels, some dog-friendly and some actually made for dogs. There are more than ten dog-accessible hikes within an hour from downtown and dog parks here tend to double as social hotspots.
Long Beach
Technically considered by most to be part of the “greater LA area,” Long Beach has its own distinctive style. It’s one of the most laid-back coastal towns in CA, complete with all the amenities you’d expect from LA. It’s also a fantastic city to be a dog. Long Beach is home to some amazing dog-friendly breweries and a strip of retail called Second Street that’s all dog-friendly (think: water bowls and dog treats). It’s also home to the only off-leash dog beach in LA county as well as Belmont Shore, a city park that hosts several dog parades and costume parties each year. If you and your dog are beach bums, it doesn’t get much better than Long Beach.
San Diego
No list of dog-friendly cities would be complete without San Diego. The city is an absolute paradise for dogs, from its plentiful pet-friendly beaches (we’re partial to Coronado Dog Beach about 20 minutes outside the city), and some 250+ days of sunshine a year. San Diego actually has the second most pet-related businesses per capita of anywhere in the country, and it actually ranks very high for its number of shelters, too. Whether you’re into outdoor activities, dog-friendly breweries, or world-class pet shopping, San Diego has it all. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to finding a dog-friendly city in California. From beaches to bark-and-brews, The Golden State has it all.
