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Here’s my picks for the best of L.A., doggie style. To suggest a listing, e-mail me at annie@annielever.com
   
 
  Beaches
 
Long Beach Dog Zone
What: Southern California’s most dog-friendly beach
Why: “Look, Ma--no leash!”
Where: Between Roycroft and Argonne Avenues, Long Beach, CA 90803
When: Daily from 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
Contact: Haute Dogs on the Beach (562) 570-3100
Reminder: Seawater is bad for coats -- rinse your dog after any ocean swim

Leo Carillo State Beach
What: Legal for dogs, but leashes required
Why: It’s breathtaking
Where: Pacific Coast Highway, Mailbu, CA 90265
(28 miles northwest of Santa Monica)
When: Daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Contact: California State Parks Department (818) 880-0350
Fun fact: Named for the late conservationist Leo Carillo, descendant of one California's most famous Spanish families and the actor who played the “Cisco Kid’s” sidekick on 1950s TV.

  Eats
 
Fred’s 62 (Casual)
What: Hip Los Feliz hangout for dogs and humans
Why: Coffee costs 62 cents
Where: 1850 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
When: 24 hours a day
Contact: Fred’s 62 (323) 667-0062
Fun fact: It’s used to be a diner…before they turned it into a hip diner

Tail O’ the Pup (Really casual)
What: Get your giant hot dog...from a giant hot dog
Why: L.A.’s best all-around hot dog stand – fast, clean and dog-friendly
Where: 329 N. San Vicente Boulevard (at Beverly Blvd.) Los Angeles, CA
When: Daily 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sundays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact: Tail O’ the Pup (310) 652-4517
Fun fact: An L.A. landmark since 1945, look for it in such films as “Body Double” and “L.A. Story.”

Laconda del Lago (Northern Italian)
What: Upscale Italian restaurant in the heart of Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade
Why: Great food, great atmosphere and generally able to accommodate dogs (call first)
Where: 231 Arizona Avenue (at Third Street Promenade), Santa Monica, CA 90401
When: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Contact: Loconda del Lago (310) 451-3525
Fun fact: Wine list has won Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” every year since 1995

  Excursions
 

Cruise to Catalina
What: Take your dog on a boat ride to beautiful, historic Santa Catalina Island
Why: Quaint island getaway two hours from L.A. – and your dog rides free
Where: 26 miles across the sea
When: Boats depart daily for Avalon and Two Harbors from San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point
Contact: Catalina Cruises (800) 481-3470
Bummer: Dogs must be leashed and muzzled during the ride—what about the owners?

Miniature Train Ride at Griffith Park
What: All aboard as you, your dog, and a grown man dressed like Casey Jones chug along on a eight-minute midget train ride around Griffith Park’s Travel Town Train Museum
Why: Your dog will love it, though you may feel a bit silly
Where: 5200 Zoo Drive (Forest Lawn exit, 134 Freeway), Los Angeles, CA 90027
When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends
Contact: Travel Town Museum (323) 662-5874
Fun fact: An air-conditioned 1925 Pennsylvania R.R. dining car is available for parties

Shopping in Century City
What: Century City Shopping Center
Why: Shop with your dog in this open-air mall--many of the stores welcome leashed dogs inside (including Brentano’s Bookstore, The Gap, Laura Ashley, Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware). Later you can grab a bite in the dog-friendly food court
Where: 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90067
When: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact: Westfield Shoppingtown Century City (310) 277-3898
Fun fact: Mall to the stars: Recent sightings include Mel Brooks, Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, Julia Roberts and John Travolta

  Groomers

Lucky Dog Grooming Co.
What: Dog groomer
Why: Annie and Olive’s favorite
Where: 2326 Cotner Avenue (near Pico), Los Angeles, CA 90064
When: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sundays
Contact: (310) 479-5552
Tip: Ask for Khurt Maier

  Parks
 

Barrington Dog Park
What: West L.A.’s most popular play park
Why: Conveniently located, well maintained and serene
Where: 333 S. Barrington Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90049
When: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Contact: L.A. Department of Parks & Recreation (310) 476-4866
Reminder: As with any off-leash dog park, mind your dog closely

Laurel Canyon Dog Park
What: A pleasant, grassy L.A. dog park, featuring fenced-in play areas for big and small dogs and picnic benches for weary humans
Where: 8260 Mulholland Drive (west of Laurel Canyon Blvd.), Studio City, CA 91604
When: Off-leash hours 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to dusk; on-leash only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact: L.A. Department of Parks & Recreation (310) 476-4866
Warning: Don’t drink the mud puddle water

Runyon Canyon Park
What: This undeveloped trail area is L.A.’s biggest and best off-leash dog park
Why: 160 acres of untamed chaparral and hills, two miles of winding trails, spectacular vistas and vibes for both dogs and hikers
Where: 2001 N. Fuller (at Mulholland Drive), Los Angeles, CA 90046
When: Daily from sunrise to sunset
Contact: L.A. Department of Parks & Recreation (310) 476-4866
Fun fact:

Frank Lloyd Wright designed the “Cloud’s Rest” cottage located in the upper part of the canyon; Errol Flynn stayed in the nearby pool house in the late 1950s when he was on the skids

  Parties
 

Haute Dogs on the Beach
What: Once a month beach party for hundreds of dogs and their owners
Why: Don’t miss Haute Dogs’ themed events, like their annual Easter Parade
Where: Long Beach, CA
When: Beach parties monthly during the spring and summer; themed events
seasonal
Contact: Haute Dogs on the Beach (562) 570-3100
Fun fact: Winner of last year’s Howl’oween Parade: Bitch Cassidy

  Shelters
 

Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA
What: The best animal shelter in L.A. (maybe the country)
Why: This world-class facility features open-air kennels, lush landscaping and Mission-style architecture; a great place to adopt your next pet
Where: 316 Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105
When: Weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sundays and holidays
Contact: Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA (626) 792-7151
Fun fact: Built in the 1930s and recently remodeled at a cost of $4.3 million

  Stuff
 
Heavy Petting
What: Pet fashion, food and supplies
Why: Everything from doggie motorcycle jackets to canine cologne
When: Sunday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed Mondays)
Where: 1051 N. Havenhurst Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Contact: Heavy Petting (323) 656-2626
Suggestion: How about a Jackie O suit with matching pillbox hat?

Kwigi-Bo: Luxuries for Dogs
What: High-fashion for your mutt
Why: Who can resist a dog in a sweater?
Where: At stores nationwide, including Max Well Dog, 12332 Ventura
Boulevard (3 blocks west of Laurel Canyon), Studio City, CA 91604
When: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Contact: Kwigi Bo
Suggestion: The pink corset for her and the black hooded sweatshirt for him (or vice versa)

Three Dog Bakery
What: Diverse selection of fresh-baked dog treats
Why: Made from wholesome ingredients like peanut butter, canola oil and carob
Where: Several locations nationwide, including the Century City Mall,
10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90067
When: Daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact: Three Dog Bakery (310) 557-1254
Reminder: Call ahead if you want a doggie birthday cake

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