Pet-Friendly Directory

 Animals are part of the family — why not bring them with you when you can? Santa Cruz is becoming increasingly pet-friendly, with animals now allowed in more public areas than ever. Here you will find resources for local fun, fare, and fido-friendly spots. Know a place we haven’t listed? Send us an email and we’ll check it out. 

Now, get out there with your animal companions and make a day of it!

Visit our Pet-friendly Housing Listings page for apartments, condominiums, and townhouses for rent.

Santa Cruz has some of the most beautiful beaches and scenic parks in California. However, it can be difficult to find one that allows your furry friend. In the interest of promoting companionship with our canines and encouraging responsible behavior within the limits of the various city, county and state ordinances, the Santa Cruz SPCA provides this information on beach and park access. Please be aware that dog access rights may be revoked at any time by these government entities should there be repeated violations or noncompliance with rules and regulations.

It’s up to you to keep the beaches and parks open to our dogs. Help increase access for our canine companions: Be a responsible dog owner!

Click here for a free brochure: Where Can I Take My Dog?

Also check out: Bring Fido — Dog Parks in Santa Cruz for more in-depth information and maps.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, if all rental housing units permitted pets, approximately 6.5 million animals could be placed in homes. All too often, shelters are filled to capacity with perfectly healthy, friendly animals that simply weren’t allowed to move with their families.

At the Santa Cruz SPCA, we have established a list of pet-friendly rentals, including apartment complexes (see link below) and popular vacation rentals (see Vacation Rentals tab) available in Santa Cruz County to assist residents with their search.

We also offer guidelines to help tenants increase their chances of landlord approval, and information for landlords on the benefits of renting to pet-owners and how to manage pet-friendly properties.

Visit our Pet-friendly Housing Listings page for apartments, condominiums, and townhouses for rent.

Guidelines For Tenants

 During your search for pet friendly dwellings, there are many things you can do to increase your chances of landlord approval by simply coming across as an organized, responsible, reliable pet owner. Here are some tips to ensure you and your pet make the cut:

 

    • Have your pet neutered or spayed, since altered companion animals typically behave better and don’t have heat cycles or spray.
    • Bring up the subject of pets with the property owner in person rather than over the phone, if possible. Personally presenting information about yourself and your pet may help convince the landlord to say yes.
    • Gather references from former landlords, neighbors, obedience instructors, and veterinarians. Include such documents as proof of spay/neuter, records of up-to-date vaccinations, indications of regular vet visits, and obedience school diplomas.
    • Write a pet resume. Highlight the qualities of your animal (able to stay alone quietly, house-trained, doesn’t chew or howl, etc.). Explain how you exercise your dog and how you’ve helped him learn to be calm, how you keep your pet clean and flea-free, and how the fact that your animal is spayed/neutered will benefit the landlord. Include an attractive picture of your pet at rest.

    Sample Cat Resume

    Sample Dog Resume

     

    After you move in:

    • Always clean up after your pet.
    • Give your animal enough exercise so that he or she is calm in the apartment when left alone at home.
    • Never let the dog or cat roam outside; keep your animal on leash.
    • Be a great representative for all pet-owning tenants.
Guidelines For Landlords

 If you're a landlord wondering about the benefits of renting to pet owners, the following are some general guidelines for property owners to consider when setting up a pet policy. These are not hard and fast rules, and policies for individual properties should be designed to best meet your specific needs.

BENEFITS OF RENTING TO TENANTS WITH PETS

  • lowering vacancy rates;
  • reducing tenant turnover rates;
  • broadening the pool of prospective tenants; and
  • promoting a sense of tenant safety and security

PET-FRIENDLY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT RENTAL RESOURCES

Reprinted with permission from the SFSPCA

PET POLICY GUIDELINES

Start with screening

Careful screening of prospective tenants is the first step to a successful pet policy. By asking a few simple questions, property owners can screen out irresponsible pet owners and find the responsible ones who will make good tenants.

Put it in writing

A written agreement protects the interests of both property owner and tenant, and pet rules and procedures help avoid misunderstandings.

Charge reasonable pet deposits

What is reasonable may vary, depending on the nature of each rental. While many landlords don’t charge any additional pet deposit, one recent survey showed that the most common pet deposit was $150.

Establish limits

Limit permissible animals to common pets like dogs, cats, rodents, fish, and birds. A policy on how many pets each tenant may own can also help keep the building’s pet population at manageable levels.

Set parameters

Should certain types of pets be confined to tenants’ apartments? Should other pets be permitted in all or only parts of the common areas? Should dogs be leashed when in hallways and other communal areas? Establish pet regulations in advance, before any conflicts arise.

Ensure cleanliness

A responsible pet owner will agree to immediately pick up and dispose of dog feces, bag kitty litter before placing it in garbage containers, and take other necessary sanitation measures 

Require spaying and neutering

Spayed and neutered animals are generally healthier, better behaved, and more suited to apartment living than their unaltered counterparts.

Determine emergency arrangements

Property owners may want to keep a file with the names and addresses of each pet’s veterinarian and substitute caretakers designated by the tenant. 

Put disciplinary procedures in writing and enforce them fairly

These procedures might include a provision for warning(s) before any punitive measures are taken. Whatever the policy, fair and consistent enforcement will reduce disputes and make for better relations between management and tenants.

 

The following hotels have pet-friendly policies. For more information, contact the hotel directly.

Aptos

Bayview Hotel
8041 Soquel Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
831-688-8654

 

Capitola

Monarch Cove Inn
620 El Salto Dr.
Capitola, CA 95010
831-464-1295

Capitola Venetian Hotel
1500 Wharf Rd.
Capitola, CA 95010
831-476-6471

Capitola Hotel
210 Esplanade
Capitola, CA 95010
831-476-1278

 

Santa Cruz

Bay Front Inn
325 Pacific Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-423-08564

Casablanca Inn
101 Main St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-423-1570

The Chaminade Resort and Spa
1 Chaminade Ln.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
831-475-5600

Days Inn and Suites Santa Cruz
600 Riverside Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-458-9660

Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
6001 La Madrona Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-440-1000

The Inn at Pasatiempo
555 Highway 17
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-423-5000

Knights Inn
510 Leibrandt Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-423-6020

Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages
401 Johans Beach Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-462-4192

Ocean Pacific Lodge
301 Pacific Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-457-1234

Pacific Inn
330 Ocean St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-425-3722

Seaway Inn
176 West Cliff Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-471-9004

Scotts Valley

Best Western Scotts Valley Inn
6020 Scott’s Valley Dr.
Scott’s Valley, CA 95066
831-438-6666

Watsonville

Motel 6
125 Silver Leaf Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-728-4144

Best Western Rose Garden Inn
740 Freedom Blvd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-724-3367

Rodeway Inn
1620 W Beach St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-740-4520

Comfort Inn
112 Airport Blvd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-728-2300

Pet Pals
3660 Soquel Dr.
Soquel, CA
831-464-8775 or 800-604-2263

General Feed & Seed
1900 B Commercial Wy.
Santa Cruz, CA 95065
831-476-5344

Aptos Feed & Pet Supply
7765 Soquel Dr.
Aptos, CA 95003
831-685-3333

PetSmart
490 River St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-429-2780

Felton Feed
6221 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
831-335-1212

 

Scotts Valley Feed
5470 Scotts Valley Dr.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
831-438-3194

 

Westside Farm and Feed
817 Swift St.
Santa Cruz, CA
831-331-4160

Whether you are driving across country or just going out for lunch, there are often times when you want to grab a bite to eat with your four-legged friend in tow. You can always go to a fast food restaurant drive-through or purchase food to go at many restaurants. But the you’ll have to eat in your car, in your hotel room, or at home.

While not all outdoor restaurants allow dogs, many restaurants throughout the United States and Canada allow people to dine outside with their pooch. There are certain rules of thumb to follow that will increase your chances of finding a pet-friendly establishment. First, make sure you can access the outdoor seats without having to walk through the inside of the restaurant. Second, find a restaurant that does not serve food outside. Restaurants that require you to order your food inside and then take the food to an outdoor table are more likely to allow dogs than an outdoor restaurant where waiters serve food. While fast food restaurants fall under this category, so do a varieties of cafes. Third, if you prefer to have food served by a waiter, it is just a matter of asking around at various restaurants. To help narrow down your search, try finding a restaurant that offers sidewalk seating. A sidewalk is usually considered a public right-of-way where dogs are permitted, but it is still up to the restaurant management to allow dogs. Fourth, you will always need to ask a restaurant employee in advance if your pooch is welcome to dine with you al fresco. It most cases, it is up the restaurant owner to decide the policy.

When you do find that perfect outdoor eating establishment that welcomes your best friend, be sure to practice good doggie dining etiquette. Here are some tips that will help outdoor restaurants continue to be pet-friendly.

Etiquette Tips for Dogs at Outdoor Restaurants

  • Make sure your pooch is well-behaved around other people, especially children.
  • Leash your four-legged friend and keep him or her from socializing with other diners or employees, unless welcomed.
  • Try to keep your dog close to your table or chair so he or she is not in the waiter’s path. Dogs are not allowed on chairs or tables.
  • Bring your own doggie bowl or ask the waiter for a paper or plastic bowl or cup for water if necessary. Pets are not permitted to eat or drink out of restaurant glasses or dishes, unless they are disposable.
  • Remember to tie your dog to your chair and not a table. A dog tied to a table can result in spilled drinks or food the dog is strong enough to make the table move.
  • Always call ahead or ask first to make sure an establishment allows dogs at their outdoor tables.
Aptos

Bittersweet Bistro 
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd. #B
Aptos, CA 95003
831-662-9799

Cafe Rio 
131 Esplanade
Aptos, CA 95003
831-688-8917

Palapas Restaurant y Cantina 
21 Seascape Village
Aptos, CA 95003
831-662-9000

Capitola

Betty’s Burgers - Capitola
1000 41st Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-475-5901

Gayle’s Bakery
504 Bay Ave.
Capitola, CA 95010
831-462-1200

Santa Cruz

Betty’s Burgers - Santa Cruz
505 Seabright Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-423-8190

Café Limelight
1016 Cedar St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-425-7873
Doggie Menu available!

Crepe Place
1134 Soquel Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-429-6994

Engfer Pizza Works 
537 Seabright Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-429-1856

Harbor Café
535 7th Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-475-4948
View Dog Menu

Las Palmas Taco Bar 
5 Front St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-429-1220

New Bohemia Brewing Company
1030 41st Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-350-0253

Pono Hawaiian Grill
120 Union St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-426-7666

Pleasure Pizza
4000 Portola Dr.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-475-4002

Seabright Brewery
519 Seabright Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831-426-2739

Scotts Valley

Mint
4652 Scotts Valley Dr.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
831-438-5900

Jia Tella’s
18 Victor Square
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
831-438-5005

Heavenly Café
1210 Mt Hermon Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
831-335-1210

Steel Bonnet Brewing Company
20 Victor Square B
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
831-454-8429

Peets Coffee and Tea
214 Mt Hermon Rd.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
831-430-9293

Erik’s DeliCafe
222 Mt Hermon Rd. J
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
831-438-4646

Soquel

Michael’s on Main
2591 Main St.
Soquel, CA 95073
831-479-9777

Watsonville

Bagel Café and Bakery
1830 Main St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-722-3838

Freedom Meat Lockers
160 Hi Grade Ln.
Freedom, CA 95019
831-724-4355

Taqueria Mi Tierra
1471 Freedom Blvd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-724-5880

Appleton Grill and Event Lounge
410 Rodriquez St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-724-5555

Jaliscos Restaurant
618 Main St.
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-728-9080

Red Apple Café
589 Auto Center Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
831-761-9551

 

For an up-to-date list of pet-friendly vacation rentals in beautiful Santa Cruz, browse these listings.

Please notify us if any of the listings on this page are incorrect or if you have additional suggestions.

Shelter Location

2601 Chanticleer Ave.

Santa Cruz, CA 95065

(P) 831-465-5000 (F) 831-479-8530

 

Hours of Operation

Mon & Tues - CLOSED

Animal Browsing Wed to Sun 11am - 5pm

*PET FOOD PANTRY - Fridays 1:00pm - 3:00pm

The Santa Cruz SPCA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of animals. We receive no government funding, and depend solely on financial support from our friends. Our organization is not affiliated with any other SPCA or Humane Society.

Tax ID: 94-6171565

© 2017 Santa Cruz SPCA