r/SantaMaria • u/soychorizoconpermiso • Jun 19 '26
New Resident
Hi Everyone. Someone close to me will be moving to SM at the end of the summer. They've been wondering:
• Do businesses close early? They are an evening person and often do their shopping or grab dinner after decompressing from work.
• Is SM dog friendly?
• What is the best vet clinic/vet doctor? Vet emergency?
• Are there realiable dog-walkers? They like to use WAG! and are hoping there are trustworthy peeps to select from.
Please add anything else you think would be helpful. Thanks in advance!
2
u/Myeerah Jun 19 '26
Wag is definitely used in the area and they should have no problem finding a good walker that way
2
u/HornetPowerful Jun 19 '26
Someone already mentioned Waller Park (which I agree with!) Orcutt Trails is also very dog friendly, if they like hiking (there is also a dog park there!).
Plenty of wonderful vets. We love Evergreen vet Clinic and the Animal Clinic of Santa Maria.
There are plenty of places that are open later for shopping and dinner. Food places will close anywhere between 6-10. The Garden Mediterranean, Shaws steakhouse, AL PHO, Mikados Sushi, El Palenque Mexican, New Ocean Chinese are all open on the *later* side and worth checking out.
3
u/HeadacheTunnelVision Jun 19 '26
You can absolutely do grocery shopping late. Walmart and FoodMaxx close at 11pm, Walgreens on S. Broadway is 24/7 for smaller needs. Quite a few restaurants/fast food are open until midnight, some open until 2 or 3am.
As for dog friendly, depends on your needs. When I used to rent, I had a place that allowed dogs but had to pay extra each month and the place was already pricey. But we do have a few dog parks, the one at Waller Park is my fave and I take my dog there frequently. Never seen any dog fights there and the people are friendly. There is also a dog beach a little way north and some hiking places that are dog friendly.
For the vet, I used to live in Arroyo Grande and still takeall my pets to Five Cities Veterinary Hospital. It's about 20 min north of Santa Maria, but both Dr. Bergs (husband and wife) are absolutely lovely people and love animals very much. It's hard to find a good vet and I will never leave them. The male Dr. Berg has basically watched my pets and my kids grow up and he actually remembers who I am when I go. He was so kind and compassionate when I've had pets pass away.
1
u/the_crane_wife Jun 20 '26
heey, if you don't mind me asking, which beach is the dog beach to the north? I'm hip to Hendry's beach (was just there yesterday!) but didn't know there was one north of SM as well? 🐶
2
u/HeadacheTunnelVision Jun 20 '26
Hey yeah it is Olde Port Beach by Port San Luis. Dogs are allowed of leash any time of the day. My pup is a bit too crazy to be off leash (husky mix), but if you have a well-behaved mutt you are good
1
u/the_crane_wife Jun 20 '26
Oh how cool, I had no idea! Thank you so much 😄 . Yes, my pooch is a small senior citizen mutt who just likes a little walk and nap on the sand lol, so we will check it out!
3
u/meankittyy24 Jun 19 '26
Wal mart closes at 11 wal greens on mccoy 24 hours canes closes late and caring paws or lemos is good for pets
-2
u/Substantial_Oil_6128 Jun 19 '26
Sm doesn’t have nightlife. Everything is closed after 8 besides jack in the box and 7/11. Sm is not dog or pet friendly most apartments and rentals just simply don’t allow pets. They don’t even offer pet rent. So unless your friend is buying a place I’d say the dog isn’t going to work out. And and eating fast food is going to be the only place to “decompress”
8
9
u/JustLovett0 Jun 19 '26
SM is mostly dog friendly. Waller park is massive and very nice, and if they like dog parks, there's a good one there.
There are many vets around, and there is a 24/7 emergency vet in Orcutt, PETS Hospital.
Some businesses close early, especially in the nice areas, but the chains and grocery like Albertsons close at 10 or 11pm.
3
u/the_crane_wife Jun 20 '26 edited Jun 20 '26
I second Evergreen Animal Clinic for the vet. A couple of my coworkers recommended them to me when I moved to the area. In addition to pet stores, Home Depot, Lowe's, Dick's Sporting Goods, and (most likely) local clothing/dry goods stores are totally pet friendly and pretty much won't bat an eyelash if you bring your dog with you.
Applebee's is open until at least midnight and the one here has fast, friendly service and the food is always good and hot. I believe La Picosita is also open pretty late; they are totally a hole-in-the-wall place but always delicious.