OB is Paws-itively Pet Friendly!

Many, although not all, places in Ocean Beach welcome dogs inside while you conduct your business (some even offer water and dog treats). While it's best not to assume your dog will always be welcome, here are a few places where you won't have to leave them home or tethered outside while you go about your life:

Weekends: don't expect your dog to sit at home and wait while you enjoy your time off. Do something fun together.

• Original Dog Beach, at the foot of Voltaire St. Read more about one of the first official leash-free beaches in the United States at OriginalDogBeachSanDiego.com.
• Dog Park at Dusty Rhodes Park

Special Events:

• OB Farmers Market - Every Wednesday, 4pm to 8pm (summer) or 4pm to 7pm (winter) - schedule changes with Daylight Savings, 4900 block of Newport Ave. No need to leave the dog at home while cruising Newport.

After your fun-filled day, clean them up at the following locations:

• Dog Beach Dog Wash, 4933 Voltaire St.
• World Famous Dog Wash, 4893 Voltaire St.
• Then get your pet supplies at Bone Appetit, 4845 Newport Ave.

Tasty Treats: Dogs love them too!

• Lighthouse Ice Cream & Yogurt, 5059 Newport Ave, offers Frosty Paws, a sugar-free, soy-based ice cream for your dog. "It's sort of a salt lick for your dog," said Carol Ladiges, owner of Lighthouse Ice Cream. "We even defrost them a little bit, then take a picture for our doggy photo board."
• Beach Sweets, - water outside and a section dedicated to custom organic dog treats

Conduct your business at the OB Business Center, 4876 Santa Monica Ave. This one-stop-shop houses Saffran Packaging and Shipping, Obcentric Store, Copy Hut Plus, and Simoneaux Office Services and Notary.

Fix your car at Ozzie's Import Auto Repair and Ozzie's Auto Sound, 1871 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Call Patrick at 619.222.5358 or email him at ozzies@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Food/Bars - Daytime

• Shades Oceanfront Bistro, 5083 Santa Monica Ave, Ste. 1F. Open until 9pm. Dog water provided.
• Tower Two Beach Cafe, 5083 Santa Monica Ave. Open until 8pm. Dog water also provided upon request.

Food/ Bars - Any time

• Newport Pizza & Ale House, 5050 Newport Ave.
• The Tilted Stick (tavern with kitchen), 4979 Voltaire St.

REMEMBER: Just because you CAN bring your dog into a dog-friendly establishment, doesn't always mean you SHOULD. Sometimes it's crowded and just not a good idea - use common sense when you bring your dog in public.

Food, Bars, and Coffee with tables and chairs outside:

• Azucar Cuban Bakery, 4920 Newport Ave.
• El Rodeo Taco Shop, 5060 Newport Ave.
• Litickers Liquor & Fresh Mexican Grill, 4955 Voltaire St.
• Livingston's Chicken Kitchen & Mexican Grill, 5026 Newport Ave.
• Newbreak Coffee Co. & Cafe, 1830-D Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
• Newbreak Coffee Co. at the Beach, 1959 Abbott St.
• Newport Quik and Cafe Bella, 4921 Newport Ave.
• OB Smoothie, 5001-A Newport Ave.
• Ortega's Cocina, 4888 Newport Ave.
• Pepe's Italian Restaurant, 1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
• Roots Vegetarian, 4976 Newport Ave. (at the Rock Paper Scissors building.)
• Yogurt Farm, 4882 Newport Ave.
• Your Mama's Mug, 4967 Newport Ave. #1

Outdoor Cafes

• Jungle Java, 5047 Newport Ave.
• Pirates Cove, 1945 Cable St. (in the Apple Tree parking lot)
• Cafe Bella, 4984 Voltaire St.

If you don't live in Ocean Beach, but would like to find a place to stay, you have options:

• Ocean Beach Hotel, 5080 Newport Ave., www.obhotel.com According to Rich Grosch, owner of the OB Hotel, the dog-friendly rooms fill the fastest. In fact, OB Hotel is in the process of adding more rooms with tiled floors so guests can bring their furry friends. In addition to the communal courtyard, the rooms each have a private patio.
• Ocean Villa Inn, 5142 W. Pt. Loma Ave., www.oceanvillainn.com Located next to Dog Beach, all the rooms on the bottom floor offer rooms with dog-friendly tiled floors. The "deluxe" rooms even offer private patios.

Also extremely important: please clean up after your pets! If you forget your poop bags you'll likely find one in the many bag holders throughout the neighborhood. If not, just ask one of the friendly merchants in the business district for one. Chances are, they would rather part with a poop bag than deal with "presents" left on their sidewalk.

With that said, you and your dog can go just about anywhere in dog-friendly OB...just watch your step.