The coast can be chilly at times in the evening, so pack a jacket when choosing a dog-friendly patio for an al fresco meal in Santa Cruz. Toasty outdoor heaters add ambience, and most restaurants have them, so no worries there!
For ocean-view dining, try the Crow’s Nest Beach Market, located on the beach where the harbor meets the sea. The market offers pizza, sandwiches, salads, beer, wine and beverages while you check out the Santa Cruz Harbor and Walton Lighthouse. It’s a casual, order-at-the-counter setup that works well with dogs—grab your food, snag an outdoor table and enjoy the salt air while your pup watches the boats come and go.
In downtown Santa Cruz, Snap Taco bills itself as a “new-school” Mexican place with cuisine as vividly flavored as the bright colors of the building’s exterior (and interior, although dogs aren’t welcome inside). The festive atmosphere extends to the dog-friendly sidewalk and private courtyard seating. The all-day breakfast burrito is a favorite, but you might also want to try something called the “Spicy Cowboy,” which sounds yummy although we haven’t tried it yet!
For a sit-down meal with more elbow room, the dog-friendly patio at West End Tap and Kitchen on Ingalls Street is worth checking out. The menu leans toward elevated pub fare—think quality burgers, craft cocktails and a rotating tap list. The patio is spacious enough that your dog won’t be bumping into neighboring tables, which makes for a more relaxed experience all around.
Santa Cruz is one of those rare coastal towns where dogs really are part of the social scene. You’ll see them at coffee shops, on the boardwalk promenade and lounging outside surf shops. A few things to keep in mind when dining out here with your pup: the downtown sidewalk patios can get busy on weekends, so weekday visits tend to be calmer for dogs who aren’t fans of crowds. Bring a water bowl and a chew toy to keep your dog occupied while you wait for food. And if the evening fog rolls in (it will), that jacket you packed will earn its spot in the car. For a post-dinner walk, the West Cliff Drive path overlooking the ocean is dog-friendly and just a short drive from downtown—a great way to end the evening with your pup.
