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| Canine Discoveries |
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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 |
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Beaches |
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| 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. |
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Eats |
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| 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 |
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Excursions |
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| 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 |
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Groomers |
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| 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 |
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Parks |
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| 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
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Parties |
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| 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 |
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Shelters |
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| 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 |
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Stuff |
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| 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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