In Santa Cruz County your Dog is (Usually) Welcome
By Noel Smith
Man’s best friend is not always a welcomed companion when you take them out in public… but in our county the barriers are coming down and dog-friendly facilities are multiplying.
Did you know that locally there are numerous dog parks as well as Dog-Friendly lodging, shopping and, yes, even dining establishment that will welcome you and your dog?
Here are some guidelines that you and your dog should follow to be out in 
public:
- Teach basic commands (“Come!” “Sit!” “Stay!”) so you can control your dog.
- Make sure your dog is properly licensed.
- Always scoop poop! Carry a sealable plastic bag and disposable plastic gloves.
- Don’t assume your dog will be welcome everywhere you go.
- When approaching another dog, shorten the leash and bring your dog close to you.
- Remember to immediately recognize and praise your dog’s good behavior and to correct its bad behavior.
- For first time visitors, call ahead or visit their website to verify dog rules when lodging, shopping or dining.
- Set a good example: be aware of and obey local rules and regulations.
Be sure that wherever you and your canine companion go, you’ll always be welcomed back!
Dog Parks:
Aptos Dog Park – The Polo Grounds 2255 Huntington Ave, Aptos, 8am-6pm
Santa Cruz:
DeLaveaga Park 850 Branciforte Dr., 8am-8pm
Floral Park on 38th St. between Portola Dr. & East Cliff Dr. Sunrise to sunset
Frederick Street Park 168 Frederick St, Sunrise to sunset
Grant Street Park 180 Grant Street, Sunrise to sunset
Oceanview Park
102 Oceanview Avenue, Sunrise to sunset
Pacheco Dog Park Pacheco Ave. and Prospect Heights, Sunrise to sunset
University Terrace Park 369 Meder Street, Sunrise to sunset
Scotts Valley Dog Park 361 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley, Sunrise to sunset
Watsonville Dog Park 757 Green Valley Road, Watsonville, Sunrise to sunset
Franich Dog Park 795 Vista Montana Dr., Watsonville, Sunrise to sunset
Dog-Friendly Lodging:
The Bay Front Inn – 325 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 423-8564, santacruzbayfrontinn.com
Chaminade Resort and Spa – 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz (831) 475-5600, chaminade.com.
Motel Santa Cruz – 370 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz (831) 458-9220, motelsantacruz.net
Sunny Cove Motel 21610 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, (831) 475-1741
Hilton (Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley) 6001 La Madrona Dr., Santa Cruz, (831) 440-1000, santacruzscottsvalley.hilton.com.
Dog-Friendly Dining (Usually Patios Only):
Betty Burgers 1000 41st Ave., Capitola 475-5901 & 505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz. 423-8190, www.bettyburgers.com
Bittersweet Bistro 787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos. 662-9799, www.bittersweetbistro.com.
Café Iveta 2125 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, (831) 423-5149, www.iveta.com
Café Limelight 1016 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 425-7873, cafelimelight.com
Café Rio 131 Esplanade, Aptos. 688-8917, caferioaptos.com
Center Street Grill 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz, 423-4745, thecenterstreetgrill.com
Crepe Place 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6994, thecrepeplace.com
Firefly Coffee House 131 Front St Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 713-5799
Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria, 504 Bay Avenue, Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
Harbor Café 535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, www.harborcafesantacruz.com
Java Junction 519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-5282, javajunctioncoffee.com
Kelly’s French Bakery 402 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, 423-9059, kellysfrenchbakery.com
Margaritaville 231 Esplanade #101, Capitola, 476-2263, margaritavillecapitola.com
Marianne’s Ice Cream 020 Ocean St. Santa Cruz, 458-1447
Michael’s on Main 2591 Main St., Soquel, 479-9777. michaelsonmain.net
Palapas Restaurant 2591 Main St., Soquel, 662-9000, palapasrestaurant.com
Polar Bear Ice Cream, 389 Coral Street, Santa Cruz
Pono Hawaiian Grill 120 Union Street, Santa Cruz, 426-7676 www.ponohawaiiangrill.com
Red Apple Café 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd. #15, Aptos, 685-1224, redappleaptos.com
Rocky’s Café 6560 Hwy 9, Felton, 335-4637
Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery 402 Ingalls St #27 Santa Cruz, 425- 49004 santacruzmountainbrewing.com
Seabright Brewery Pub and Restaurant 519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-2739, seabrightbrewery.com
Thai Basil 210 Monterey Ave. #3 Capitola, 479-8985
Whale City Bakery Bar & Grill 490 Highway 1, Davenport, (831) 423-9009, whalecitybakery.com
The Walnut Avenue Cafe 106 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, 457-2307
Dog-Friendly Shopping
Ace Hardware 849 Almar Ave. # D, Santa Cruz, 426-7650, acehardware.com
Artisans Gallery 1368 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8183, artisanssantacruz.com.
Chefworks 1527 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, 426-1351, chefworks-santacruz.com.
Greenspace 719 Swift St., Santa Cruz, 423-7200, greenspacecompany.com
Home Depot 2600 41st Avenue Soquel, 462-5650
Judi Wyant Antiques 1532 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, 426-3215
Logos Bookshop 1117 Pacific Ave Santa Cruz, 427-5100, www.logosbooksrecords.com
Pure Pleasure 204 Church St., Santa Cruz, 466-9870, purepleasureshop.com
Riverside Lighting and Electric 300 Soquel Ave Santa Cruz, 423-7411, riversidelightingandelectric.com.
Saffron and Genevieve 910B Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-4506. saffronandgenevieve.com
Woodworm Party Store 827 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-0455, www.woodwormpartystore.com
