What pampered pooch doesn’t like to travel? I mean, you don’t have to go far...even a short jaunt to the local café is traveling! Here are some of MY fave places, and, of course, they are doggy friendly!

The most dog-friendly restaurant ever is The Park Bench Café in Huntington Beach. There’s a special doggy menu! This place is right in the middle of Huntington Central Park so there’s plenty of places to walk and explore. The restaurant's hours are seasonal; during the summer, it is open all week for breakfast and lunch but during the rest of the year it is open Wednesday–Sunday only. Be forewarned! You may have to wait awhile to get a table! Tell Mike, the owner, that Chelsea and Sherry recommended the place.

Balboa Island has a lovely restaurant, the Park Avenue Café. No, it isn’t related to the HB restaurant and this one doesn’t have a doggy menu but for the humans, the food is GREAT! I personally like sitting and watching all the people walk by. For the older human set, they do serve wine and beer. There are specials on certain evenings like tacos on Mondays, pot roast on Wednesdays, and Prime Rib on Fridays. This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is open seven days a week. Owner Bill and his very own Puppy often stop in to say hello.

Huntington Dog Beach is the premiere beach for dogs. It is located on the west side of Pacific Coast Highway between Seapoint Street and 21st Street (on the south) in Huntington Beach. The locals would call it 'The Cliffs' and there are lots of parking metered parking spots available in a little lot along PCH. Martin Senat got Dog Beach going years ago (mama is a charter member!) and let me tell you, it is da bomb for dogs! Why? Well, because dogs can run and play without a leash on the beach! Of course, the most important thing is that owners MUST pick up the doggy doo. Baggies are available for this as are trash cans for depositing the doo.

South Laguna Beach has a most wondrous gem of a restaurant…Eva's Caribbean Kitchen. This delightful little spot is nestled on the north side of Pacific Coast Highway where you can feel the breezes right off of the Pacific Ocean. You wouldn't know that doggies are permitted but, owner and chef Eva (who has a Rat Terrier named Elvis!) will welcome pups on the outdoor patio! Be sure to mention your 4-legged pal when making reservations (and, tell her that Chelsea & Sherry referred you!!).

The beautiful, pristine beaches of Monterey just call out to you which means you must stay at the Best Western Beach Resort Monterey. Get the ocean-front room—sure, it is a wee bit more expensive but, well worth it! They treat you like the royalty you are AND you can walk right on the beach! There’s a daily fee for pets but, hey, that’s okay cuz you do get an awesome-pawsome room. I recommend you pay a bit more and get a room with an oceanfront view. Then, you can hear the ocean. There's definitely NOTHING like being able to hear the sounds of the waves at night while you sleep in your toasty room. Ahhhh…

For dinner, your pawrents can head on over to Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf and dine at Café Fina. Mmmm...they will be in heaven and YOU can have a blast watching all the people meander along the dock. Owner, Dominic Mercurio, is sure to recommend THE best stuff if he isn’t busy hanging out with John Madden...oh, and there’s a great doggy menu, too!

Now, if you are in Pismo Beach, be sure to stay at the Oxford Suites Pismo Beach. This place is like being at home! There’s lots of grass and it is a cozy little retreat for the family. What's great about this place is that you get a little suite which is kind of like a mini apartment. It's a bedroom and living room with a fridge and two TVs. The living area is separate from the bedroom and there's a nice green pet area.

Right down by the Pismo pier, and we’re talking right NEXT to the pier is this restaurant called Pierside. Yep, you can sit out there with the ‘rents and get a bit of sunshine and smell the ocean...ahhhh...(sorry, no doggy menu here).

Carmel is simply divine and there is ONE restaurant that everyone MUST check out. It is an adorable little place that is tucked away in the middle of gorgeous Carmel. In fact, if you weren't looking for it, you wouldn't even know it's there. The Forge in the Forest reminds me of the little cottage Snow White comes across (you know the one!). The food is delicious and there's even a most spectacular gourmet doggy menu! For the adults, there's an extensive wine list.

Doggies can walk along Carmel’s beaches, of course, with NO restriction! Wooo-hoooo! So, be sure to come on down to Carmel and enjoy Clint Eastwood’s (former mayor) beautiful town.

©2009–2012 Beach Angel Chelsea & Sherry Skipper Spurgeon. All Rights Reserved.

Clip art from DJ Inkers is used with permission.