Trip report on St Augustine travelling with small dog

Just back from our vacation. We stayed two nights at the St Francis Inn Jan 28th and 29th. We arrived around 1:30pm. Went to Cafe Centro on Hypolite street and Charlotte which is back of Tavern on the Bay. They offer sandwiches, paninis, and personal pizzas in an outdoor courtyard. They brought a bowl of water for our dog. Live soft jazz music with keyboard and guitarist. Which set a terrific mood for our arrival in St Augustine. We had a personal pizza and a chicken panini. Both were very good. We checked into the St Francis Inn and stayed in the Courtyard room, rather small, but lovely with a fireplace, clawfoot tub, 4 poster bed and door onto the courtyard. Took advantage of complimentary sherry in the room and they offer free hor deurves and wine and beer between 5:30 and 6:30pm. We walked to Harrys Restaurant. The clam chowder and crabcake for appetizers were great. I had mahi with lemon cream sauce. The fish was cooked perfect but I picked the wrong sauce and it was too bland. My husband had the grilled chicken with rice and beans and he said it was only OK.

We returned to the St Francis Inn and they offer a dessert with tea or coffee complimentary between 7:30 and 9:00pm. The dessert was a lovely trifle.

Jan 29th/07. Very Cold 45 degrees but sunny.

The St Francis Coutyard room double bed very comfortable. Great breakfast - sugar pecan french toast and sausage. Hardboiled eggs, bagels, toast, jam, fresh fruit, assorted juices and cereals.

We walked to the trolley stop 2 blocks away but were told it was company policy that NO dogs were allowed.

Walked to Flagler museum and were told NO dogs were allowed.

Walked to Castillo de San Marcos fort and were told NO dogs were allowed. By now we are feeling St Augustine is not dog friendly.

It really was too cold for having lunch outside but with our little dog we had no choice. We chose Mia Casa on St George St because of protected patio and there was an outdoor patio heater, but it was not turned on. The food - New England Chowder and Reuben sandwich was not worth the wait. We then went to Colonial Spanish Quarter - again NO dogs allowed.

Things started looking up as we took the horse and carriage tour with our little dog Benji and that was great, infact the driver of the carriage a lovely blond girl looked after him so we could go inside the Presbyterian church.

We walked to Old St Augustine Village and we WERE allowed to take our little dog through if we carried him.

We went back to the St Francis Inn for complimentary tea and coffee. Took some Coke and Sprite to the room to make mixed drinks and relaxed. 5:30pm we had complimentary hor deurves and beer and wine. We walked to A1A aleworks which is a brewery/restaurant - great beer and great food. The service was good also. Took advantage of a lovely trifle dessert back at the St Francis. The breakfast was a lovely quiche and all the other stuff as before. Highly recommend the St Francis Inn and going to St Augustine for the history and sightseeing. It is on par with Savannah and Charleston. However, St Augustine is not as dog friendly as Savannah.

Trip report on St Augustine travelling with small dog

Thanks for the overall review of your trip...I have a small dog and it helps me to know which places are truly dog friendly...

If you get a chance I suggest you post your reviews of the restaurants and B%26amp;B under those headings - it will make it easier for future travelers to find as they prepare to travel to St. Augustine....

Glad you enjoyed your visit!

Trip report on St Augustine travelling with small dog

Yes!!! Thanks for your post on travelling with pets. If you can train your pet to, say pick up dollar bill that you throw on the ground or bring back items, you can easily get away with saying it%26#39;s a service dog and that you%26#39;re hearing impaired. Certain dogs can be %26#39;therapets%26#39; although that category is not universally recognized as being a service dog. Maybe some of us locals can get off our cashmere ottomans and do some dog reporting someday. But your article is a great start!

I get the feeling! I have been trying to find a place to stay there and at first they accept pets until I say it%26#39;s a golden retreiver and then they don%26#39;t even want to talk to you anymore. I would rather leave the dogs at home but my husband wants to bring them, it is already a headache for me just trying to find a a place to stay there that will take our size dogs. Then if you do happen to find one, you better be RICH!!! Did you happen to go by 3rd street at anytime? We are looking at a rental there that takes dogs,but it looks kind of shady.. If we rent it I%26#39;ll be sure to rat eit on here. We don%26#39;t know there area there so it%26#39;s kind of scary when you find a place that will take the dogs when everyone else says ';NO:';

Goshencooks, remember if you find a place that is decidely cheaper than others it will be a dump for sure. You know the saying, if it is too good to be true, then it is.

Thanks everyone. LN you are so right about if it sounds too good to be true! I need to book something and when I keep thinking of the one that allows our dogs and is cheap I keep thinking it will be a dump. The ocean blue 2 seems good but it%26#39;s small in those rooms from the pictures I see. I can%26#39;t imagine being couped up with 2 large dogs and a kid.

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