Not only a "Southern CA Tripawds Pawty" but a Canadian Tripawds go wild in Sunny CA! After arriving in Santa Barbara tonight (finally, that is another story for another day), I did a nocturnal tour of Arroyo Burro Beach and nearby spots. It does seem to be All Things Doggy. In addition to the off-leash beach, there is even a doggy spa, whatever that means.

Arroyo Burro Beach is on the Mesa, a well known and gorgeous part of Santa Barbara. If you take Los Positas from 101, turn north or right onto Cliff Drive (that is at the four-way stop which also has a light). The entrance is pretty much the second drive way on the left (but don't go in the exit which comes first, or your tires will suffer!). I was told there is a sign, but I couldn't see that in the dark. Anyway, go further into the parking lot so it takes you to the ocean (versus the part that keeps you near CLiff Drive).

Once you get to the beach, you will see a sign for off-leash dogs LEFT of the parking lot and on-leash right of the parking lot. There is also a Boathouse which looks to have fine food and patio (perhaps a bit too fine for those of us saving our pennies for the dogs). But I heard of another place, which is a basic restaurant that lets dog on the patio. I wonder how many dogs they allow at one time on the patio . . .

The one catch is that low tide is around noon and the beach will be at its best when the tide is low. SO it is probably best if we try to get there more towards 1 than 2, although the dog-friendly waitress (who just happened to have the tide tables with her) said we should be okay until about 3. THere will still be a beach play area after 3 or 4, but you can't walk as far along the beach.

I hope to meet some of Tazzie's virtual buddies! So far, Maximutt, Caira Sue and Wyatt are coming. Yippee!

Susan

(Sorry, but despite my false advertising I'll probably be the lone Canadian representative - couldn't convince Oslo to make the trek this time.)

p.s. if you happen to be looking for things like grocery or other stores, head south just a bit on Cliff Drive from Los Positas until you see Meigs, another stop light. There is an Albertsons and other stores around that corner.

Okay fellow tripawds. Get ready for a momentous event. My mum is gonna try to upload photos from her computer to Photobucket and then post them here! Got that Barney?!?

Santa Barbara Tripawd Beach Pawty: Dec 26 2009

Yesterday, at the dog beach in Santa Barbara, we got to meet the adorable WYATT RAY DAWG!!!

Way to go Wyatt!! 

Wyatt loves herding Hazel, successor to a founding tripawd father Dane Moose

Catch me if you can!

Maximutt, his favorite toy Linda and their human father check out the surf

What's this?!

Wyatt in characteristically reflective mood

Susan and Spirit Tazzie reminisce about a sunny warm beach day in November.

Tripawd group in sunny Southern California!

(Wyatt – can you please fit into my suitcase?)

 Apre-beach: kissy kissy

Our Fearless Leaders including the mystery woman nearly always behind the camera

A good day. ZZZZ.

(Tazzie, Nov 8 – Grand Beach at Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba) 

I just slipped a couple more pics, one of Hazel and one of Wyatt pondering the good life, into my previous post.

Also - 'underappreciated' was most definitely the wrong adjective to use for Wyatt. I'm not sure what the right one is, but he is definitelly highly appreciated!! I guess we will have to let Jerry and Barney and Wyatt figure that one out.

I remember just how very insane Tazzie (aka Tazmaniac, Scooby Doo) was when I first adopted him, after having a calm cool Marlon Brando dog before him. Like Jerry, Orko was calm and cool as a 6 mo old pup. In contrast, Tazzie's name should have been Anikin - capable of extreme good and love but also with a deep dark side. Thankfully I haven't seen that side in many years. It is far enough behind me that it is difficult to remember and explain just how neurotic he was. But in any case and regardless of any dark side, he had (still "has" in my mind) the very BIGGEST heart in the world.