Cayucos State Beach

California’s Central Coast starts in dog-friendly Santa Cruz County and winds some 350 miles south to Ventura County, just north of L.A. Yes, the famous coastal Highway 1 provides lots of mesmerizing scenery (and dog-friendly beaches) along the way, but there’s so much else to see and do that you might prefer to make base camp with your four-legged friend and just chill for a few days somewhere along the route. more »

• San Simeon Cove, San Luis Obispo County. Tucked beneath William Randolph Hearst’s famous castle, San Simeon Cove is a jewel of a place with emerald water and ample space for dogs to romp. Off-leash dogs aren’t allowed on adjacent Hearst Memorial State Beach, so if you want to unclip, simply walk a few hundred feet to the right of the pier where signs announced the beach boundary. more »

From Ragged Point in the north to Pismo Beach in the south, the San Luis Obispo County coast is a dog-friendly wonderland loaded with things to do and places to stay with your pup. Along the 70 miles of Highway 1 that hug it, you’ll encounter everything from secluded tide pools and shimmering coves to classic SoCal beaches packed shoulder to shoulder with surfer dudes, bikini babes and dogs with jaunty bandanas around their necks. more »

Dog-friendly beaches abound in SLO County, including several strands where you can cut the cord and let your best friend run free. You can always visit a dog-friendly beach on your own, of course, but for occasions worthy of a splurge, call the Beach Butlerz. This innovative service staffed by local college students promises to change a typical day at a dog-friendly beach into a remarkable experience for you and yours. Options range from simple delivery of beach chairs and firewood to a package dubbed the “Moroccan Love Encounter” entailing setup of a “luxe canopy” tent furnished with hard-surface flooring, lighting, a queen-size futon, 10 plush pillows, decorated table, feather fan, tiki torches and bonfire. Now what could be more memorable than that? more »

San Luis Obispo County’s North Coast is a tail-wagging, 31-mile stretch of California shoreline on Highway 1. The route begins with a quick jaunt from San Luis Obispo west on Los Osos Valley Road to the coastal hamlet of Los Osos. more »