Quick seafood or picnic by the harbor to stretch legs and let your dog walk on the shore; most waterfront cafés have outdoor seating that welcomes dogs — call ahead to confirm.
Walk among giant ancient redwoods on easy, shaded trails and riverside paths; many parks allow leashed dogs on roads, campgrounds and some trails — check specific trail rules at the visitor center (typically open 9am–4pm).
Choose a pet-friendly hotel or cabin near the coast so your dog can relax after the drive; many Crescent City properties allow pets with a fee — confirm at booking.
Take a leash walk along Crescent Beach or the pebble shore near Battery Point (watch tide times for Battery Point access) and enjoy the coastal sunset with wide open spaces for your dog to sniff and explore.
Enjoy a quick breakfast at a Crescent City café with outdoor seating or grab sandwiches/coffee to eat en route so you can depart early; many local cafés open ~7am–8am.
Head south on US-101 with short stops along the Avenue of the Giants and other coastal redwood viewpoints for photos and leash walks; visitor centers typically open 9am–4pm.
Stretch your legs at a waterfront park or riverside path and let the dog have a short leash walk while you enjoy the scenery before the longer drive inland.
Stop for a hearty lunch with outdoor seating; many burger joints and cafés along US-101 welcome dogs on patios and provide quick service for the road ahead.
Continue southeast toward Napa — expect roughly 4–6 hours depending on route and traffic; this is the longest driving block, so plan frequent stops for your dog to stretch and hydrate.
Choose a downtown Napa hotel or a pet-friendly B&B to be close to restaurants and Oxbow Public Market for easy evening options; confirm pet fees and rules at check-in.
Casual, reliably dog-friendly outdoor dining at Gott's or grab items from Oxbow Public Market and dine at an outside table; many Napa establishments keep patios open until ~9pm–10pm.
Have a leisurely breakfast with outdoor seating at Oxbow or a nearby bakery; markets typically open around 8am on weekdays and 9am on weekends, but check local hours.
If you plan a winery stop, call ahead — some wineries allow leashed dogs in outdoor areas, but many do not; otherwise enjoy a scenic drive through Sonoma/Napa foothills.
Stop near Cannery Row or in Carmel town for a relaxed lunch with outdoor seating where dogs are welcome; many cafes in Carmel allow dogs on patio tables.
One of the best dog-friendly stops: many parts of Carmel Beach allow off-leash playtime under owner control, making it a highlight for dogs to run and swim (sunset is spectacular).
Carmel-by-the-Sea is extremely dog-friendly — stroll its fairy-tale streets and pop into pet-friendly shops and galleries that allow leashed dogs to browse.
Enjoy a cozy dinner; many Carmel restaurants have outdoor tables and welcome dogs — call ahead to reserve a patio table if you want to dine with your pet nearby.
Drive south on Highway 1 for iconic views (Bixby Creek Bridge viewpoint, roadside pullouts) and stop at dog-friendly overlooks; note that many state parks in Big Sur restrict dogs on trails, so keep to paved viewpoints and pullouts.
Choose a casual lunch at a café with outdoor seating or pack a picnic to enjoy at a roadside turnout — service options are limited in remote Big Sur, so plan accordingly.
Continue south and then cut inland toward Ojai via US-101 and CA-33 (or CA-1 to 101); expect ~3–4 hours depending on stops, with plenty of scenic transitions from coast to valley.
Dine at a casual local spot with outdoor seating; many Ojai restaurants provide dog-friendly patios and will gladly accommodate well-behaved dogs during early service hours (often open until ~9pm).
Drive to a short viewpoint near town for a peaceful Ojai sunset and final scenic moment of the trip before settling in — great photo opportunity and a calm finish for your dog.