Discover the Best Dog-Friendly Road Trip around Florida: Adventure Awaits (Part 1)

Join us on a new 3-week dog-friendly road trip around Florida, a beloved destination with beautiful beaches and many activities. Our adventure began in Jacksonville, heading south and then back north. We’re excited to share many amazing locations, including beaches and restaurants, to help you plan your own trip.

Before reaching Florida, we traveled through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. For more details on these states, click HERE.

1. Jacksonville

Jacksonville was our first Florida stop on our road trip. It is a vibrant city located on the state’s northeastern coast. Known for its extensive waterways, including the St. Johns River, Jacksonville offers diverse cultural attractions, outdoor activities, and a thriving arts scene. With beautiful beaches, historic neighborhoods, and dining options, Jacksonville provides a dynamic blend of modern amenities and Southern charm.

The Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a serene oasis in the heart of Jacksonville that we enjoyed. Spanning 120 acres, this natural haven offers native plants, walking trails, and scenic gardens. Visitors can enjoy beautiful landscapes, explore themed gardens, and enjoy a peaceful escape from the bustling city. Leashed dogs are allowed but stay away from water. You can watch Zen’s experience below.

The Southbank Riverwalk in Jacksonville is a picturesque riverfront promenade along the southern bank of the St. Johns River. This scenic pathway offers stunning views of the downtown skyline and the river, including Friendship Fountain, the world’s largest and tallest fountain in 1965.

Many offices are around, so if you come during the weekend or holiday, you won’t find many dining options. I suggest crossing the river and visiting Memorial Park in the Riverside/Avondale Area. There are a lot of restaurants around.

Kickbacks Gastropub has a lovely covered patio, which could be a good solution for a rainy day. But you can also go to The Garage Harps, American Pub & Grill, or The Bearded Pig; all offer outside seating and allow dogs.

2. St.Augustine

Our Florida road trip led us to the next destination: St. Augustine. The oldest city in the U.S., famous for its Spanish colonial architecture and Atlantic Ocean beaches, offers a unique blend of history and coastal beauty.

Downtown St. Augustine offers many different activities where you can take your dog. Walk around and enjoy Spanish-style architecture and a lively atmosphere, creating a historic backdrop enriched with cultural attractions, shops, restaurants, and landmarks. Be sure to experience the beauty of the Bridge of Lions, a picturesque drawbridge connecting downtown to Anastasia Island.

The Spanish Military Hospital Museum in St. Augustine shows how doctors treated people in the past. It’s like a time machine to the late 1700s, with displays of beaches medical tools and live demonstrations of medical procedures during the Spanish colonial period.

The Oldest Wooden School House in St. Augustine is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the U.S. It dates from the early 1700s and is remarkable in the city’s history. It is believed to have been built during the First Spanish Period.

Both places allowed well-behaved dogs in buildings.

Saint George Street is a pedestrian area with great restaurants to enjoy with your pup. We chose The Backyard at Meehan’s, which offers a hidden yard with great food and live music. We recommend Catch 27, which has a lovely shaded patio, The Floridian, or Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille.

The Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine has a special place in American history and is worth visiting. It’s linked to the story of people searching for eternal youth during the early exploration of America. In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León is believed to have landed here. The park has exhibits about history and archaeology, including a recreated Timucuan village, weapon demonstrations, and pretty gardens.

Also, Fountain of Youth is a natural spring at the park. Some thought it was the source of Ponce de León’s quest for eternal youth. Even though the idea of a magical fountain is a myth, the park is a unique and educational place, especially about the early colonial history of the area.

Watch Zen’s unique experience and transformation after visiting the Fountain of Youth, and let us know if you still think it is only a myth.😂

3. Time for Beach

A road trip to Florida would feel incomplete without exploring dog-friendly beaches. After dedicating two days to visiting two cities, it’s time to unwind. The east side of Florida offers numerous beaches where you can enjoy the sun and sand with your furry companion.

To be clear, I was primarily focused on dog-friendly beaches. Those beaches allow dogs but mostly assume the dog has to be on a leash. However, if there are not too many people and you can find your spot further than others, many people have unleashed dogs. I can not emphasize enough this is an option only if you can control your dog 100% and you can not let your dog run freely on such a beach. Zen is well-behaved and won’t run to other people or dogs, but I always leash him if any person or dog approaches us. Not because he would run anywhere but because I want to respect other people and assure them the dog is under control.

If you prefer your dog to run loose along the beach without complete control, you can go to dog parks, usually fenced areas that allow dogs complete freedom. But remember that many owners in such places don’t control their dogs, so you can expect dogs to run to your dog without your permission. Occasional dog fights are possible, so just be aware of the surroundings.

Vilano Beach was a great option. This beach is secluded, and usually, there are not too many people. It is also big enough that you can find your peace of sand.

Palm Coast and Flagler Beach

You can continue your road trip from Vilano Beach along Florida’s scenic A1A. This area offers more dog-friendly beaches in Florida, like Old Salt Park and Jungle Hut Beach, with the most accessible access from 125 Jungle Hut Road.

Matanzas Bridge Beach is usually very busy, so any off-leash option would not be possible, so we decided to skip it. Eventually, you can walk further down the beach, facing the Matanzas River, where you will find fewer people.

A better option is to continue with A1A to the south toward Flagler Beach. Before North 10th Street, you can park on the right side of the road, cross the dune, and search for a spot with few people. Flagler Beach allows dogs on beaches north of North 10th Street and south of South 10th Street.

If you instead love dog parks, visit James F. Holland Memorial Park in Palm Beach, a 1.5-acre dog park with separate play areas for big and small dogs. Wadsworth Park, near the Matanzas River off Highway 100, is the most popular dog park in Flagler Beach. It’s fenced-in, with lots of space for dogs to run around without a leash. There are benches for owners to relax, and water bowls are available, so you don’t need to bring your own.

Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches offer plenty of restaurants and cafes where your furry friend is welcome. Turtle Shack Cafe, Johnny D’s Beach Bar and Grill, and High Tides at Snack Jack are fabulous places by the ocean. And if you want a relaxing day with your dog, check out Java Joint for coffee, breakfast, and some good reading time.

Ormond Beach

Ormond Beach, Florida, is dog-friendly on beaches between Rockefeller Drive and Milsap Road.

Lighthouse Point Park, situated at the southern tip of a barrier island separating the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland, spans over 52 acres of pristine coastline. Unlike the developed areas, this unique park provides a refreshing escape with natural beauty. It hosts a diverse range of wildlife, including raccoons, possums, skunks, armadillos, shore birds, gopher tortoises, and birds of prey. The inlet’s waters often feature dolphins and manatees, with common sea turtle sightings from the jetty, enhancing the allure of this unspoiled preserve.

Nearby, Hidden Treasure Rum Bar and Grill is a tavern serving fish sandwiches & other pub grub.

4. Black Point Wildlife Drive

Extend your dog-friendly road trip southward to Black Point Wildlife Drive in Florida. This nature reserve, located just a few miles from the launch pads at Merritt Island and NASA, offers an 8-mile leisurely drive through NASA’s backwaters. It has some excellent viewing platforms. Exercise caution as there is abundant wildlife, including sizable alligators, so be mindful if you decide to step out of the car. Also, be prepared to spend some time watching as birds are not easily seen.

5. More Beaches

Before spending the night in Melbourne, conclude your enjoyable day at Intracoastal Brewing Company for a delightful evening of food and drinks. Other options are Coaster Pub & Biergarten or Charlie & Jake’s. All have nice outside seating areas that welcome dogs.

Canova Beach in Melbourne was one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Florida. It officially allows dogs to be on leashes, while many pups were off leashes but under control. The owners were very respectful, and all off-leashed dogs were well-behaved, while less controllable dogs were on leashes. This beach offers privacy and freedom. Also, restrooms are near the parking area, and a dog shower is available to rinse your pup.

Orchid and Hutchinson Island

Continue on A1A, and you’ll come to unique Orchid Island. The town of Orchid has special rules that allow dogs off leashes with special permission.

That is not a road trip option, but if you plan to stay longer, you can issue the Dog Permit. Also, remember that the area doesn’t have public access to the beaches, so this information applies if you stay longer.

Hutchinson Island is not very dog-friendly. Along A1A, you can see many lovely villas, but most beaches and parks don’t allow dogs. The only dog-friendly place is Stuart Beach Park. It offers various covered picnic areas, showers, restrooms, a restaurant, and plenty of parking. Dogs must remain on a leash.

Jupiter

Searching for dog-friendly beaches in Florida, Jupiter Dog Beach is one of the premier off-leash beach destinations, welcoming well-socialized and obedient dogs and their responsible owners to indulge in a 2.5-mile stretch of beach from sunrise to sunset. Dogs can freely play and swim in this designated off-leash area, enjoying the sun and surf. Parking is free, and restrooms and showers can be found near Ocean Cay Park and Carlin Park. Spanning from dune crossover marker #26 (north of Ocean Cay Park, 2188 Marcinski Road in Jupiter) to dune crossover marker #57 (south of Carlin Park, 400 S. S.R. A1A in Jupiter), the beach offers ample space for a delightful canine adventure. As I mentioned, most dogs are well-behaved, but not all.

After a day at a Florida beach, Surf Taco is an excellent option for relaxing with your dog on the dog-friendly patio. The menu offers a variety of tacos, including veggie, beef, chicken, and steak, along with an assortment of sides and drinks.

Thirsty Turtle Seagrill is another dining spot in Juno Beach. Your canine companion is welcome on the covered outdoor patio while you enjoy fresh fish, wings, burgers, and steaks. Additionally, they offer a unique service where you can bring your catch and have it cooked for you.

6. Palm Beach

In the early 1880s, wealthy northern industrialist Henry Flagler founded the Town of Palm Beach by extending Flagler’s East Coast Railway. Enchanted by Palm Beach’s warm, balmy weather and tropical environment, Flagler envisioned Palm Beach as a playground for wealthy Northerners during the cold winter.

It was a short stop on our road trip but long enough for a walk along Palm Harbor Marina in West Palm Beach or a stroll along the South Lake Trail to stretch your legs and marvel at a Giant Kapok tree.

Elisabetta’s is a great Italian restaurant in West Palm Beach. It has a vast outdoor seating area, a great selection of Italian pizzas and pasta, and various wine choices. It is also very dog-friendly.

You can also try Cafe Flora, another Italian option.

To continue with the Florida trip, go to Florida Road Trip – Part 2.