A social media reel of top dog-friendly hotels instantly intrigued me by the idea of a road trip with my furry best friend, Hammy. I soon realized that instead of bouncing from place to place, we could visit one incredibly dog-friendly town and have a great adventure there.
Introducing Cambria, California, a charming small town full of fantastic things to do with your pup.
Cambria is a coastal town in stunning Central California. While the nearly 10-hour drive is longer than what we’re used to for a trip to San Diego, it is absolutely worth it. Once you pass Los Angeles, you hit scenic hills. The real bonus comes closer to Cambria as you drive right through Paso Robles. We passed over a dozen gorgeous wineries, with pristine, rolling properties.
We were warmly greeted at Cambria Shores Inn on Friday afternoon, which sits right across the street from the Pacific Ocean. It served as our home base, and offers a major perk for pet owners: no weight restrictions for four-legged visitors. That was a huge plus, since Hammy is a bigger "good boy" who needs his space.
The family-owned boutique hotel rolls out the red carpet for both its human and canine guests. Hammy received dog treats and a welcome bag upon check-in, while the staff set out freshly baked brownies for humans. I was given vouchers for Madeline’s Wine Tasting Room, the adjacent restaurant with a dog-friendly patio, and enjoyed a delicious glass of wine and a fabulous burger.
The inn connected us with the Cambria Tourism Board, which shared a curated three-day itinerary built specifically around pups. It is a wonderful mix of activity, great food, spectacular views and friendly folks that will leave your vacation cups completely filled.
Saturday brought a light, nonstop rain, but we still explored. We only had to cross the street to reach the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk. The one-mile boardwalk gave us a perfect walking trail. Dogs aren't allowed on this specific beach, but you don't have to travel far to find one they can enjoy.
Even in the rain, the town was packed with people walking dogs. We visited Maddie Mae’s Pet Pantry for pup treats. Then we stopped for lunch at Robin’s Restaurant, where we enjoyed the beautiful covered patio, tasty fish tacos and the extra attention Ham got from the staff.
Later, Hammy joined me for a late-afternoon wine tasting at Cayucos Cellars. The entire town could not have been more welcoming.
We started early Sunday with a breakfast basket filled with pastries, fruit and orange juice, an amenity delivered each morning of our stay by the hotel, before a short hike on the Bluff Trail. Then we hit the road home, having had the best weekend giving Hammy an incredible California adventure.
CambriaShores.com | VisitCambria.com
We were warmly greeted at Cambria Shores Inn on Friday afternoon, which sits right across the street from the Pacific Ocean.