Aloha RTAers,

In October, I am flying in from Hawaii with my boyfriend, picking up my parents and dog in SF and driving to Vegas to meet BF's parents in Vegas.

Questions:
1) Is october still too warm for a dog in Vegas?
2) going to drive down in 2 days and back up in 2 days spending one night each way in either SLO, Santa Barbara, or Bakersfield (If I take HWY 5). Suggestions on if I should take HWY 5 for one of the routes instead of 101 both ways.
3) If I stay in SLO/Pismo, to get to Vegas, should I continue south on 101 or is there a good, not windy more direct route?
4) any suggestions on dog friendly hotels in SLO/Pismo/SB/Bakersfield/Vegas. Would like a hotel that's not too expensive but not a dump either.

Thanks in advance for your help!