I also have a dog and will be using small bark. I've tried ground cover in my garden (not between the SF beds) and the dog killed it all with her "watering".

Liisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Liisa's Garden Journey

Clover won't take foot traffic. You want something that takes foot traffic and the zone 10 climate, xeric too. 'Reiter' thyme. 'Pink chintz' thyme (short bloom period). No grasses with runners.

Dan

Dan I don't want clover cos it flowers/blooms. Both dogs have been stung by bees in clover in previous years so I veto clover.
Lisa I may go with bark chips. The dog 'watering' is a consideration no matter what we have.

Does anyone have grass between beds?

Right. As I wrote above, clover won't take foot traffic, meaning its a bad choice. Again, grass must be a clumping variety else you may find tillers/rhizomes in your beds if beds are 12"/less high. If you want plants, your choices are few. Otherwise your choices are many.

Dan

Ok gonna go with bark, sounds less trouble all round, lol!

i use pine needles. I have two large trees that donate. It keeps things from growing up and by the end of the season the walking on it has broken it down.