Dinosaur Caves Park

The Monarch Butterfly Grove at Pismo State Beach is pet-friendly. This charming location has a small paved trail that will take you and your dog on a butterfly tour. To find out when they open for the season, go to their website. During the season, they are open every day of the week, and the trail is open at all times.

At Avila Valley Barn in San Luis Obispo, CA, well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners in the outdoor areas and picnic tables. This popular venue is a terrific place to stop and buy fresh food, including excellent locally grown fruit and veggies. On the drive to Avila Beach, you and your dog can pick up a pie or bakery delicacy to munch on the picnic tables, or stop for ice cream. There are hayrides, farm animals, and even the opportunity to pick your own fruit. You'll also discover a pet waste station on the grounds if Petzooie makes a mess.

Before hopping on the 2.5-mile Bob Jones City to the Sea Trail (which starts right behind the farm) in San Luis Obispo, CA, pick up a delicious picnic lunch from the Avila Valley Barn. The paved, dog-friendly trail winds its way through the Avila Valley, following a beautiful stream all the way to Avila Beach. Walking a half mile past the trail's official end along the fairly narrow bike line on Avila Beach Drive can take you to one of the town's two off-leash dog beaches (Olde Port Beach or Fisherman's Beach).

The dog-friendly Pismo State Beach in Oceano, CA, allows Petzooie on a leash. Dogs are permitted on the beach and park trails, but must be kept on a six-foot leash at all times. The Pismo Dune Preserve and Oso Flaco Lake are both dog-free zones.

Avila Beach is the tiniest of the beaches in Avila and Port San Luis Harbor, and locals refer to it as Dog Beach. Before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m., dogs are allowed off-leash and under voice command on Avila Beach.

Elm Street Dog Park is a new off-leash dog park in Arroyo Grande, California, that is still collecting donations to improve the park's facilities.