Chasing Dog‑Friendly Spots Down the California Coast Part 2

Welcome back to part two of our California road trip. Instead of rushing to our destination, we’re taking the scenic route and stopping at dog‑friendly spots along the way for Tula and Peaches.

After a wonderful day with friends, we spent one more night in Morro Bay and we wanted to check out Morro Rock up close. It was only a few minutes from our hotel, and we could even see it from our window. But we don’t recommend going at night. Mostly because you can’t actually see the rock. Shocking, I know. But if you do show up at this odd hour, parking is easy and, as far as we know, always free.

The next morning, we checked out around 11 a.m. and hit the road again. Normally, the drive from Morro Bay to Los Angeles takes about three hours. We took six. Sticking to Highway 1, making crew pit stops, and pulling over whenever the view demanded it. That’s the way we like to travel. It gives the dogs more chances to stretch and gives me more chances to practice photography.

The coast stayed overcast most of the day, and with winter sunsets coming early, it got dark fast. By the time we reached Malibu, we couldn’t see much of the shoreline. Still, watching the LA metro lights glow through the smog had its own kind of magic.

We rolled into LA around 6 p.m. and headed straight for Echo Park Lake. We’d read it was a great dog‑walking spot, and it didn’t disappoint. The temperature was cool but comfortable, and the place was full of runners, families, and other dog people. The lake is lined with palm trees, and the Los Angeles skyline rises behind it. This was a surprisingly peaceful pocket in the middle of the city.

After our stroll, it was time for dinner. We ended up at a spot called Twenty Pho Hours. Ironic, since they close at midnight, but still better than places that shut down before dinner. The restaurant was bright and bold, the staff friendly, and we both ordered custom pho bowls. I got beef broth with pho noodles, thin steak, and fried tofu. The broth was delicious, and the portion of meat was almost too generous. Justin had to help me out, but I finished off all the fried tofu without even realizing it. That’s how good it was. Justin seemed happy with his bowl too.

The next day, we planned to explore the Sylvan Meadow Trail near Lake Elsinore, a dog‑friendly area with 10 miles of trails across a 1,000‑acre meadow. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the area was closed. So we shrugged, loaded the dogs back in the car, and continued our drive toward San Diego.

That wraps up this leg of the trip. Thanks for riding along with us as we chase dog‑friendly spots down the California coast. Part three is coming soon and if you have any must‑see dog‑friendly places between LA and San Diego, drop them in the comments. We’re always looking for new shores to explore with the crew.