If you know much about my husband and and I, then you know that our husky Julie traveled everywhere with us. He actually wanted us to find a dog friendly cabin for our honeymoon. I loved having Julie tag along, but I did put my foot down that time.
Traveling with a dog can be super fun, but it can also be difficult. I didn't grow up with indoor pets so having an indoor dog really changed my perspective and deepened my already solid love for dogs. I never experienced traveling with a pet and I can say that it does enrich the experience a bit if you treat them like they are your family. But finding places they can stay and activities they can be a part of can be difficult.
The first summer we were married we took a beach trip. It is by far my all-time favorite summer vacation we've taken. We've taken some pretty great trips too. We've also had our fair share of trip horror stories. I may love this particular trip so much because everything went so smoothly for the first and last time ever. I am sure that has something to do with it, but I also think we picked a pretty magical place. That and the fact that Julie got to tag along.
So where is this most magical place?
St. Augustine, Florida.
I'm not sure how we landed on St. Augustine, (Actually, I know it partially had to do with a season of The Bachelor. Oops!), but I'm so glad we did. Also, if you Google "Dog Friendly Beaches" St. Augustine will likely be on every list.
St. Augustine is a beautiful Spanish settlement south of Jacksonville, Florida. The architecture and history of the town alone make it one worth traveling to, but add in the dog friendly beaches, sidewalks and rentals and we were in heaven! Or should I say Julie was in heaven.
We actually stayed on St. Augustine Beach rather than the downtown St. Augustine area. It was only a 10-15 minute drive from downtown St. Augustine. I don't feel like St. Augustine as a whole was very commercialized, but staying on St. Augustine beach just felt like a slower and easier way of life. We found a house 2 blocks from the beach for $94 a night. It wasn't the fanciest, but it was clean and had everything we needed. In the mornings we'd walk to the beach and watch the sunrise, grab breakfast at a local coffee shop down the street, head back to the beach for hours (or at least I did. Matt & Julie couldn't hang as long as I could), before heading in to clean up for dinner. Dinner was a walk to the pizza place down the street or the little beach pub for a burger or down the street for ice cream. One night we did splurge and go to a romantic seafood restaurant on the river. I will fight nausea for a patio covered with string lights and a live musician.
We mainly went to restaurants with outdoor seating. Julie was welcomed at all of them We didn't try to take her to the seafood restaurant. I doubt they would have allowed it. But the town is known for being dog friendly. Several places even brought her a water bowl to go along with her burger or pizza we ordered her (because we are those pet parents). If we did go somewhere she couldn't go (like miniature golf), we knew she was only a 15 minute drive away, relaxing in the house. The three of us visited the local Farmer's Market (open every Tuesday) for some goodies and local artwork. Matt and I enjoyed a sunset dolphin cruise around the bay. I won a bag of Cheetos for answering a geography question. Magical, right?
Dogs were welcome on the beach, but they also had a beach you could visit for $10 and drive right up to the water. The month was June and the weather was warm, but not suffocating.
I could be remembering St. Augustine to be more grand than it was, but I've heard from other friends that it is an exceptional vacation spot as well. The trip overall was very affordable for a young couple starting out. It's been five years. I am sure prices have changed. But I highly recommend adding St. Augustine to your list of must visit places whether you have a dog or not (but especially if you have a dog).
You and your pup will be glad you did! We made a lot of great memories on that trip and I'd give anything to make more with Julie!
Happy travels,
Monica
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