Shoreline Inn 

Nicole, Jinx, and I met our friends at the Shoreline Inn in Cayucos for a New Years’ Eve getaway. The Shoreline Inn is beachfront. All the rooms have views of the ocean and pier. As an added bonus they are pet-friendly. Our room was downstairs with a sliding door that opens onto a grassy area and the beach. We had two Adirondack chairs outside our room to enjoy the view. Inside we had 2 double beds, a coffee maker, a mini-refrigerator, and a microwave. The downstairs rooms are going to be refreshed in the winter of 2022. The rates are pricey, however, the Shoreline Inn is the only beachfront hotel in the area and we loved being able to walk everywhere.

Cayucos is Pet Friendly

Our room at Shoreline Inn allowed dogs. We paid a $40 pet fee and they provided a water bowl for the room, two sheets to cover the beds and a pet towel to dry off those wet paws. There are a few grassy areas with potty bags for late-night potty breaks. On the beach we saw lots of dogs, some were leashed and some were not. Depending on the tide the beach can be wide and there is plenty of room to play ball or fetch sticks. We took Jinx into a few antique stores that welcomed dogs and we sat on a few patios with her as well. A Cayucos getaway is ideal if you want to bring your 4-legged friend with you.

The Beach in Cayucos 

When the tide was low we took long walks on the beach. Jinx chased after sticks and Nicole and I looked for shells and sea glass. I only found one piece of sea glass. Nicole found a few shells, but the rocks were the real stars of the beach. We found small rocks with variegated stripes runny through them. While the tide was out we explored a few tidepools. We saw one big seastar, loads of sea anemones, muscles, and a few crabs. Even though it was a chilly day there were lots of people playing games on the beach or out walking their dogs. 

Polar Bear Dip 

On New Year’s day at noon was the 42nd annual Polar Bear Dip. After eating breakfast we stood on the boardwalk and watched the proceedings. People started to gather on the beach in all sorts of costumes. We saw inflatable dinosaurs, lots of Care Bears, mermaids & mermen, sharks, an entire school of jellyfish, and even a leprechaun. You name it and we saw it. There was a drum circle getting everyone hyped up. Out in the ocean past the wave break was a Coast Guard boat and a few jet skiers in case anyone needed to be rescued. The countdown started and at exactly noon hundreds of revelers dove into the cold Pacific to start off the New Year. This annual event is a fundraiser and the Chamber of Commerce was selling official shirts designed by a local elementary school student. Most people came out of the water just as quickly as they had gone in and soon were on their way to ring in the New Year. 

Coffee in Cayucos

We tried a few different places for coffee during our stay. The first was Bijou Bakery. It is located on the Cass House property, but its address is 222 North Ocean Ave. We ordered at the window and then sat in their newly opened outdoor area. The seating area looks like a beautiful veranda from a Southern home. I had a delicious latte and a lemon scone with a side of whipped French Butter. Both were very good. Nicole had coffee and an almond croissant. I could see the flakes floating off of her croissant so I imagine the chef has a french pastry background. They have quiche and avocado toast on the menu so I’ll have to try that next time. 

On another morning we stopped at Cayucos Coffee. This time instead of coffee we tried Maca Cocoa Jade. This is a hot drink that has Matcha maca, raw cacao, and cacao. It is mixed with milk and a bit of honey. The matcha and cocoa balance each other out and the drink isn’t overly sweet. 

The morning we left Cayucos we stopped on the way home at Top Dog Coffee in Morro Bay. Morro Bay is about 8 miles from Cayucos and we could see the iconic Morro Rock from the beach. Top Dog serves coffee, beer, kombucha, and food. They have an inviting secret garden and they are a coffee shop that gives back. Supporting Veterans and First Responders with PTSD and incarcerated men from the local prison. In addition to all of that, they allow dogs on their patio I had a delicious caramel latte and Nicole had an Ube IPA there.

Brunch in Cayucos

On New Year’s Day, we ate at Hidden Kitchen for brunch. We ordered at their take-out window and then sat on their beachfront patio because they allow dogs outside. We ordered coffee and the San Luis Sunrise which is free-range eggs, bacon ends, avocado, and HK sauce all served atop a blue-corn waffle. The coffee is self-serve and they have a collection of mismatched cups. We picked a table on the patio and a waiter brought out our food when it was ready. The waffle was savory and the egg and avocado were tasty, however, I wasn’t prepared for the amount of bacon ends they put on it. I would eat at Hidden Kitchen again, but I would try something different. 

Gas Station Tacos  

Hands down the best food that we had on our entire trip came from a corner of a gas station at Cayucos Gas Mini Mart. The sign painted on the building says Cayucos “Deli Mexican Food Hamburger & Bakery.” We found them on Yelp and we were warned they close at 5:00 p.m. Nicole and I walked over around 4:30 p.m. and ordered our food to go. I got a chicken burrito and Nicole tried their street tacos. We brought our dinner back to the beach and watched the sunset while we ate. The burrito is huge! Nicole said the tacos were amazing and their hot sauce is so good with the red being really spicy. We liked our dinner so much that we also ordered food from there on New Year’s Eve I had chicken nachos and Nicole had street tacos for a second time. Both nights our food was fresh, hot, tasty and really good. I highly recommend Cayucos Deli.

Warm Cookies in Cayucos

Brown Butter Cookie Company’s flagship store is located in Cayucos. They are open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. We visited during COVID so they have a walk-up window and they have the ordering all set up to be contactless. Nicole and I decided we should try their namesake cookie first. We ordered a 3 pack of the original Brown Butter Sea Salt Cookie for $4.00 and we tried two of the Classic Cookies in lemon and chocolate chunk. The Classic Cookies are $2.75 each. Both Nicole and I decided we like the classic cookies better than the original. We went back the next day and tried Ginger Molasses and that was my favorite flavor that we tried.

A Fun Getaway

Nicole and I had a relaxing time in Cayucos. There are some cute antique shops, some fantastic Mexican food, and plenty of beach time. If you are looking for a dog-friendly beach getaway Cayucos might your ideal destination.

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Two things dominate the iconic view when you are downtown. The first is Morro Rock which resides in the middle of the bay and the second is the smokestacks from an old power plant. The plant stopped operation in 2014 and the city just voted to permanently remove the smokestacks. 

Walking the Embarcardaro in Morro Bay

We arrived in Morro Bay around 11:00 am on a Sunday morning and we headed towards the Embarcadero. It was early enough that we were able to find plenty of free street parking with a 3-hour time limit. It was a little too early for lunch so we took a walk. We poked our heads in a few stores. The highlight was The Garden Gallery. They have an amazing collection of succulents and native plants along with unique pottery for sale.

 Along the Embarcadero there is also public access to the waterfront. We could hear the deep barking of elephant seals so we headed to the waterfront to look for them. They were basking on a floating dock anchored out in the bay. While we were watching the elephant seals we also noticed otters going back and forth. They looked like they were hard at work, maybe looking for lunch. 

Lunch in Morro Bay

For lunch, we got in line at Giovanni’s Fish Market. It’s located directly on the wharf at 1001 Front St. You order at the window and they give you a buzzer to come collect your food when it’s ready. I checked in with Yelp and got a complimentary cup of clam chowder and I ordered the halibut & chips with an 805 ale. Nicole ordered 6 oysters on the half shell, a Bluefin Wasabi Sando, and an 805. The patio seating is waterfront and part of it is covered with a net to keep out the seagulls. We sat at a picnic table with an umbrella and took our chances with gulls trying to steal my chips. The food was excellent. Everything was hot and fresh and the view was outstanding. 

Coffee for a Cause

After lunch, we walked up a tiny hill to the actual downtown of Morro Bay to Top Dog Coffee Bar. We had our dog Jinx with us so we were interested in supporting dog-friendly businesses. Top Dog serves coffee and food, but they also have beers and kombucha on tap. They have an amazing secret garden in the back where you can enjoy your drinks and food. The garden has little nooks with comfy furniture to sit on and they have water bowls set out for the dogs. 

This coffee shop is all about giving back. Inmates make art for proceeds to support K9 rescue programs. Portions of coffee sales go to support therapy dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD. I had a caramel latte and Nicole tried Ube IPA. Her beer was an amazing violet color. While we were enjoying our drinks the owner came out to talk about the IPA and his rescue dogs. He brought us out a sample of a blood orange beer he had on tap and it was really good. Top Dog is a very welcoming place to hang out with or without a dog.

Outdoor Activities

Nicole and I didn’t get a chance to partake in any outdoor activities but we saw plenty of options for our next visit. On the Embarcadero we saw boats advertising whale and dolphin viewing trips. There are places to rent kayaks or stand-up paddle boards and we saw a few people kayaking through the bay. Furthermore, Alltrails lists some local hiking trails or you can explore Morro Rock.

Planning a Future Trip to Morro Bay

Because Morro Bay has beautiful weather, yummy food, and drink, and all kinds of different activities I will definitely be going back. Its relativity close proximity to Los Angeles makes it a fun weekend destination.

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Huntington Beach Dog Beach is located between Goldenwest and Seapoint Streets. The physical address for your GPS is 20211, Huntington Beach Bike Trail, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Parking

Dog Beach Hours

Huntington Beach Dog Beach is open from 6 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. 365 days a year. There are two lots along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) for the dog beach. These lots have multiple electronic parking meters. The meters are solar powered and they accept Visa/Mastercard and coins. It cost $2 an hour to park and the meter prints out a receipt for your dashboard.

Heading Down to the Beach

After paying for parking it is a short walk down to the beach. There is a paved path that leads to the sand. On the weekends The Preservation Society of Huntington Dog Beach sets up an easy-up to sell merchandise. The preservation Society is a non-profit and they accept donations. Donations help provide safe, clean, dog-friendly beach access and are tax-deductible.

Playtime

The Huntington Dog Beach is a 1.5-mile stretch of sand next to the bluffs between Goldenwest and Seapoint streets. Dogs are allowed off-leash. There is plenty of room to run and chase a ball or a frisbee and adventurous dogs can take a romp in the ocean. Pet owners are responsible for watching their own dogs and cleaning up after them. There are poop bags on the way down to the beach and plenty of trashcans.

Should I Let My Dog Off-leash?

If you are nervous about letting your dog off leash then maybe try and go on a weekday instead of a weekend. Your dog should have a good recall before you go on a busy Saturday. In general, it is easier for you and your dog if they are off-leash. A leashed dog feels more protective of its owner and might act more aggressively towards other dogs.

Exhausted Dogs

When we leave the dog beach our dogs are always exhausted. They wear themselves out running, chasing, and playing. Make sure to bring extra water for them, because they will need a drink after all that playing and you don’t want them drinking the salt water. Huntington Dog Beach is one of few places where dogs can run off-leash, act like dogs and have a good time.

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