• by Tanya Gazdik , December 8, 2011

California’s San Luis Obispo County is encouraging dog owners to consider a trip to the wine country with their four-legged friend.

The coastal county has more than 60 pet-friendly accommodations and many dog-friendly activities. According to a 2011 survey by PetRelocation.com, 32% of traveling pet owners said the most difficult part of taking a trip with their pets is the poor selection of pet-friendly hotels.

WineCoastCountry.com has created a microsite and a 90-second video plugging the county’s laid-back attitude toward pets. To promote the area’s dog-friendliness, the tourism bureau is hosting a contest where pet parents (and others) who go to WineCoastCountry.com can enter for a chance to win a free iPod Touch.

The video is narrated by John Tiedemann, the assistant manager at the area’s Thousand Hills Pet Resort and an expert on the best dog-friendly activities for travelers and locals alike. Tiedemann lists many of his favorite dog-friendly activities on the Web site and in the video.

The region of San Luis Obispo County hugs the coast and is a four-hour drive from the hearts of Los Angeles and San Francisco. It is consistently rated one of the most pet-friendly areas in the state of California.

Wine Coast Country represents the San Luis Obispo County Business Improvement District (CBID), whose mission is to promote increased occupancy in the 730-plus lodging properties that are part of the CBID constituency. WineCoastCountry.com promotes tourism to San Luis Obispo County’s distinct unincorporated areas, including Avila Beach, Cambria, Cayucos, Los Osos, Nipomo, Oceano, San Simeon and unincorporated San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande and Morro Bay.

According to the Web site, the area offers activities including scenic off-leash dog parks, as well as surfing and off-leash beaches like Olde Port Beach -- a quarter-mile stretch of sandy shoreline where dogs as well as their owners can enjoy the waves. There are many dog-friendly hiking trails, including those in Montaña de Oro State Park.

As an anecdote to the high-energy activities, dogs also can enjoy spa treatments at several area doggie spas. And they can also join their owners for a wine tasting, since most wineries allow dogs on site). Hundreds of restaurants in the area offer dog-friendly patio seating.