Huntington Beach, California: A Dog-Friendly Oasis for Pups and Pet Parents
Any devoted pet parent will tell you that the biggest downfall of going on vacation is leaving behind our beloved furry friends. Even if they're in the care of a family member, friend, trusted dog sitter, or reputable doggy day care, it's still so tough to go on adventures without them, given how attached we are. That's the main reason why dog-friendly travel destinations are growing in popularity, with more and more people choosing to take their pup along for the ride!
And if you happen to be planning a trip to Southern California with a four-legged friend in tow, don't miss out on making a stop in picturesque Huntington Beach, which is about an hour south of Los Angeles.
I just returned from a quick 2-night trip to this town, also known as Surf City USA, and let me just tell you, this place is dog heaven! From luxurious pet-friendly accommodations to plenty of fun spots that cater to canines, it's clear that pups are just as welcome here as humans.
After flying into LAX and arriving in Huntington Beach, I checked into the Pasea Hotel and Spa, which is directly across the Pacific Coast Highway from the beach. The vibe at this place is what I would describe as upscale yet relaxed. It's luxurious but not fussy, which is the perfect combination.
And while my pride-and-joy Shih-Tzu, Tito, stayed with his grandparents in Florida for this trip, I spotted quite a few other pups and their parents around the property who were no doubt enjoying their stay. This hotel even has a private dog park complete with its own lifeguard station where pups can make some furry friends!
The rooms at Pasea have all of the high-end creature comforts everyone loves, including a Keurig coffee bar, spa-like bathrooms, soft lighting, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
Did I mention that the room keys are little surfboards? Such a nice touch!
But by far, the highlight of the room for me was the plush, pillow-top bed, which felt like sleeping on a cloud. This is definitely the most comfortable hotel bed I've ever slept in, if not the comfiest bed in general. (I wanted to stay an extra night or two just to sleep. For real.)
Lorea
After getting settled, I headed downstairs to have dinner at the Pasea's on-site restaurant, Lorea. It has a beautiful indoor dining room and also an expansive patio overlooking the Pacific for dining on warmer days.
The menu is creative yet friendly for all types of palates. We kicked off the meal with in-house based Parker House rolls, which are a can't miss for anyone dining there. Served with Turkish chili-lime butter, they're so good, you'll want to fill up on them.
For my entree, I ordered the black cod and a side of whipped potatoes with roasted garlic, which was just to die for.
Lorea has fun libations if you fancy a boozy treat, but they also offer tasty mocktails to choose from.
After dinner and flying all day from the east coast, I couldn't wait to crawl into the heavenly bed in my room. (I can't stop mentioning the bed.)
Huntington Beach Dog Beach
I took a break after yoga to get some work done back at the hotel, and next up for the afternoon was one of the things I was most excited about: visiting the Huntington Beach Dog Beach!
To get there, I rented an e-bike from Wind Horse, which is located on Main Street. This was my first time riding one, so I was a bit nervous as to whether or not I'd be able to control it. (A motorcycle/scooter rider I am not.)
The man at the shop was super knowledgable and assured me that riding an e-bike really isn't all that different than riding a regular bike. You just have to get used to the sensation of the “pedal assist.” It took me about 10 minutes to get the hang of it, and then I was off and running for the 25-minute ride down to the dog beach.
I saw plenty of pups along my route walking with their humans, and then I was so delighted to see more dogs running, playing, and enjoying some fun in the sand, off-leash, once I arrived!
It's a little tough to see in the video, but the Husky walking down the path had on sunglasses! And the two little white dogs at the end staying close to “their baby” had me all sorts of in love. If Tito had been with me on this trip, the dog beach most definitely would've been the highlight. Don't miss it!
