Pets Welcome Here

No need to board or leave your best buds at home when so many Concord hotels, restaurants, parks and trails welcome guests of the four-legged variety. With a little heads up, you and your travel companion can have big fun together from sunup to sundown. 

Note: Current health orders may limit services or hours at some of these locations. Please check websites for the most up-to-date information.

DAY ONE

Morning

Grab some coffee and a tasty bagel or breakfast sandwich from House of Bagels in charming, historic Todos Santos Plaza. Enjoy your treat on a bench in the park, just a half a block up the street. While you’re there, check out the iconic clock tower and cool, life-size statue of Don Salvio Pacheco, the city’s founder (and maybe even get a selfie with him!)

After breakfast, you and your pal will likely want to venture out and explore the area’s spectacular scenic hills, trails and panoramic views. First stop: Lime Ridge Open Space. Encompassing 1,226 acres of undeveloped ridgeline in Concord and Walnut Creek, Lime Ridge offers dog-friendly hiking and mountain biking trails in portions of the park. Dogs are welcome on all trails in the North Lime Ridge area, which includes everything north of Ygnacio Valley Road, but not in the South Lime Ridge area. Visitors to North Lime Ridge can hike or mountain bike with their dogs off leash under adequate voice and sight command. 

Mid-Day

Getting hungry?  What pooch wouldn’t love to lunch at the Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar? Not surprisingly, the Lazy Dog, located in the Willows shopping center, is extra-friendly to four-legged companions—not only are dogs welcome on the patio, but the restaurant even boasts a dog menu (choose from grilled chicken breast or hamburger patty with rice). For the humans in the group, the restaurant serves up modern American cuisine, with pizza, burgers, and pasta, plus gluten-free options and an extensive kids’ menu.

Check into your plush & comfy room at the Hilton Concord or Concord Plaza Hotel.For a complete list of pet-friendly hotels Click Here. Enjoy a dip in the pool and spa before you venture back out for a fun night of beer, barbecue and movies.  

Late Afternoon/Evening

For beer lovers, Epidemic Ales is a must-stop on any trip to Concord. The dog-friendly taproom features at least a half dozen of its offerings, all made on premises in the 5,000-square-foot facility. No matter your taste in beer, you’ll find something to love, from dark to fruity to malty. A crowd favorite is Nightshade, a vanilla stout aged in a bourbon barrel. Food trucks are available most nights to grab a bite, and a big-screen TV and board games round out the laid-back vibe.

After a busy day, go old school with a grab-n-go from nearby Kinder’s BBQ then make your way to West Wind Drive-In movie theater for the Friday Night Double Feature. 

Day Two

Morning

If you and your bud are up for experiencing a local gastronomic phenomenon, make the short drive over to Patty’s Original Cheese Zombies. Concord’s world-famous Cheese Zombies were invented by two cafeteria workers at Mt. Diablo High School in 1963. The warm, deliciously cheesy treats were a hit and have been a Concord staple ever since. Patty’s offers a variety popular options including classic Breakfast, Biscuits & Gravy, Hot Link, Barbecue Chicken and Pizza Zombies. 

After a little Zombie munching, surprise you-know-who with a trip to one of Concord’s awesome dog parks:

The 126-acre Newhall Community Park features a spacious, fenced dog park called The Paw Patch. Supervised dogs can enjoy off-leash exercise from dawn to dusk six days a week (closed Wednesdays for maintenance). Owners are allowed two dogs each, and they must clean up after their pets. Dogs weighing less than 30 pounds can play in the small dog section and are welcome in the larger dog play area at their owner’s discretion. 

Tip: These are just a handful of many more restaurants in Concord that serve you and your furry four-legged friend! For a full list of dining options are Click Here.

Mid-Day

For a lovely walk through nature right here in town, take in Concord’s beautiful Markham Nature Park and Arboretum. Located in the heart of the city, this 16-acre oasis of greenery welcomes the public to stroll through its expertly designed gardens. With free admission 365 days a year from dawn until dusk, the park is an inviting place to explore groves of native trees, the active nursery, international garden full of unique plants, rose garden, and community vegetable garden. 

Late Afternoon / Evening

How about sampling a couple more of Concord’s great tap houses before you call it day?

Home to one of the most impressive beer lists in Concord, The Hop Grenade welcomes dog owners to relax and enjoy a pint at their dog-friendly outdoor tables. A spacious patio area affords a lively social atmosphere, especially with friendly locals admiring your pup. Settle in with a cold one or a tasting flight of craft beer and soak up the ambiance.

Also just short drive away in midtown, the Concord Tap House features two dozen beers on tap, with a rotating lineup almost exclusively from California and Oregon breweries. It’s a good option for wine lovers as well, with both a red and white tasting flight available, plus a well-curated list of glasses and bottles. Dogs are welcome on the patio, where you can also sample from a menu that includes tasty pub favorites like sausages, tater tots, wings, and sliders.

After all that, you may want to head back to the hotel for to enjoy the spa and some room service. If you’re up for some nightlife at this point, we’re pretty sure your buddy won’t mind if you leave him in the room for a well-deserved nap. After your pal has drifted off to dreamland, head over to nearby Vinnie’s Bar & Grill to shoot some pool and  groove to live local bands.

Download the printable version of the Concord Perro Trail here.