Last week, I promised day trips, so this issue is built around plans worth giving up a Saturday for—not just another hour at the usual patio.

I narrowed the list by what you and your dog can actually do once you arrive: water, shade, walkability and somewhere comfortable to stop afterward. Cozy’s vote goes to Dunedin and Honeymoon Island, although his research process mostly involved staring at the car door.

Start early at Honeymoon Island’s designated pet beach, then head into downtown Dunedin for a patio lunch, dog-welcoming shops and a local taproom.

This is my first choice because it feels like a complete day without requiring a complicated itinerary. You get the beach, a walkable downtown and plenty of places to cool down afterward.

Dogs must remain leashed at Honeymoon Island, including on the pet beach and nature trails.

BEACH + TOWN · LEASHED · ABOUT 40 MINUTES

📍 Honeymoon Island State Park + Downtown Dunedin

Fort De Soto is the strongest choice for a dog that genuinely enjoys swimming, sand and group play. The park has a designated dog beach plus separate fenced areas for large and small dogs.

Go early, bring more water than you think you need and use the rinse station before heading into St. Petersburg for lunch.

Keep your dog leashed until you are inside the designated off-leash area.

OFF-LEASH AREA · BEACH DAY · ABOUT 30–45 MINUTES

📍 Fort De Soto Paw Playground + St. Petersburg

Choose Tarpon Springs when you want local character without committing to hours on hot sand.

Walk the historic Sponge Docks, explore the waterfront and settle into a dog-friendly patio or brewery. This is a better fit for dogs that enjoy strolling and people-watching more than rough play or swimming.

The busiest areas can become crowded, so go early with a dog that needs extra space.

WATERFRONT · PATIOS · ABOUT 45 MINUTES

📍 Historic Sponge Docks · Tarpon Springs

This is the inland alternative: wooded trails, river views and more shade than you will find at most beaches or open-air markets.

Keep your dog leashed, pack water and choose a route that matches both your fitness levels. Check current trail conditions before leaving, since closures can affect portions of the park.

SHADED TRAILS · LEASHED · ABOUT 30 MINUTES

📍 Hillsborough River State Park · Thonotosassa

Pass-a-Grille works best as an early-morning or late-afternoon outing rather than an all-day beach commitment.

Use the designated Bay-side dog area, then pair it with a walk or patio meal nearby. Dogs must remain leashed, and the surrounding sandy beach areas are not all dog-friendly—stay inside the marked section.

LEASHED · COASTAL STROLL · ABOUT 45 MINUTES

📍 Pass-a-Grille · St. Pete Beach

There are dog events, and then there are tiny dogs sprinting on tiny legs in front of a cheering crowd.

OCC Road House is hosting an afternoon of wiener dog races, pet adoptions, vendors, raffles and a petting zoo. The races begin at noon, but arrive earlier if you want time to look around and find a shaded spot.

Because most of the event is outside, bring water and keep an eye on the pavement temperature.

FREE · FAMILY · PET ADOPTIONS

📅 Saturday, August 8
🕒 11 AM–3 PM · Races begin at noon
📍 OCC Road House · 10575 49th Street N, Clearwater
🎟️ Free admission

My best after-work pick. The evening schedule makes it more comfortable than a midday market, and you can browse local vendors while your dog gets a walk somewhere more interesting than the usual block.

Arrive close to opening if your dog prefers space before the larger evening crowd arrives.

EVENING · MARKET · FREE PARKING

📅 Thursday, August 6
🕒 6–10 PM
📍 Midtown Commons · 3659 Midtown Drive, Tampa

A meetup specifically for dogs under 25 pounds, with admission reduced to $1 for qualifying pups.

This is a useful option for smaller dogs that enjoy group play but can become overwhelmed around much larger breeds. Review The Dog Bar’s registration and vaccination requirements before attending.

SMALL DOGS · $1 ENTRY · 21+

📅 Saturday, August 8
🕒 11 AM–1 PM
📍 The Dog Bar · 2300 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg
🎟️ $1 per dog under 25 pounds

More dog-friendly plans happening around Tampa Bay, at a glance.

Tower 10 Burger · The Dog Bar · 5–9 PM

La Playa · The Dog Bar · 5–9 PM

Saucin’ Wings · The Dog Bar · 5–9 PM
Barks, Bingo & Blu · Mutts & Martinis · 7–9 PM

Westchase BBQ · The Dog Bar · 5–9 PM
Karaoke Night · Mutts & Martinis · 7–9 PM

Petco Adoption Day—Westshore · 4–7 PM
Cipolla Rossa · The Dog Bar · 5–9 PM

Dunedin Downtown Market · 349 Main Street · 9 AM–1 PM
Carrollwood Market · Carrollwood Cultural Center · 10 AM–2 PM
Go Stuff Urself · The Dog Bar · 2–8 PM
PetSmart Adopt Joy—Brandon · 2–5 PM

Kenwood Sunday Market · St. Petersburg High School · 9 AM–1 PM
Seminole Heights Sunday Market · American Legion Post 111 · 10 AM–2 PM
Downtown Dogs Adoption Event · Hyde Park Village · 12–2 PM
Johnny Nevada’s · The Dog Bar · 1–7 PM

Trivia every Monday · The Dog Bar · 7–9 PM
Happy Hour Tuesday–Friday · Mutts & Martinis · 4–7 PM
Bingo every Tuesday · The Dog Bar · 6:30–9:30 PM
Wraps & ’Ritas Tuesday and Thursday · Mutts & Martinis
Girls Night every Wednesday and Friday · Mutts & Martinis · 5–9 PM
Bottomless Mimosas every Sunday · Mutts & Martinis · 10 AM–1 PM

SPCA Tampa Bay offers free pet-food assistance for eligible Pinellas County residents facing financial hardship.

📅 Tuesday, August 4
🕒 2–4 PM
📍 SPCA Tampa Bay · 9099 130th Avenue N, Largo
📞 Call 727-324-4999 before visiting

📅 Tuesday, August 4 and Thursday, August 6
🕒 12:30–2:30 PM
📍 700 Druid Road, Clearwater

Recipients may need to register with the human food pantry and present photo identification. Assistance is generally limited to once per month.

Please share this section with someone who may need it.

Before committing your dog to an outdoor market or beach parking lot, place the back of your hand against the pavement for approximately 10 seconds.

If you cannot comfortably keep it there, skip the asphalt or leave your dog at home. Hot pavement can burn paw pads even when the air temperature feels manageable.

Early mornings still win in August.

Meet Gordo, an independent couch potato who takes relaxation seriously but still enjoys a good long walk. He is perfectly happy doing his own thing—until someone says the T-word. Mention “treat,” and you will find him waiting patiently by the pantry before you have even finished the sentence.

Favorite activity: Long walkies
Preferred lifestyle: Couch potato
Special talent: Detecting the word “treat” from anywhere in the house

Want your dog featured next week? Reply to this email with one clear photo, their name, breed, Tampa Bay neighborhood, and one sentence about what makes them unforgettable.

Your dog could appear in the next Good Boy Guide, with full bragging rights.

Know someone who is always asking, “What should we do with the dog this weekend?”

Forward them this email. It takes five seconds and helps the Good Boy Guide find more Tampa Bay dog people.

The Tampa Bay patios that do August correctly: shade, cold water and enough room for your dog to settle.

Until next week… keep wagging! 🐶

— Virginia & Cozy

Drive times are approximate from central Tampa. Event schedules, admission fees, food-truck appearances and pet policies can change. Confirm directly with the destination or organizer before making the drive.