Best Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast – Looking for the best dog trips on the West Coast? As a dog mom who has traveled California with her furry muskies, I’m here to give you all the fun details about two of the most fun and dog-friendly California road trips that sure to explain the travel plans. This dog-friendly guide to Northern California is filled with the best stays, tours, beaches, restaurants, and accommodations. basically everything you want when traveling with a dog.
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them, you may earn a small commission for the product at no additional cost to you. This small commission will help cover the hosting and other costs of maintaining my blog. Thank you!
Best Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast
If you’re a pet parent like me and swear by your dog’s needs, one of the things on your bucket list should include at least one dog-friendly trip to Northern California. In over 10 years of traveling with Babu (our Tibetan Spaniel mix) in Northern California (we live in San Francisco), we have taken several dog trips from San Francisco, two of which remain our favorite so far. These Northern California dog-friendly tours are clear winners, with several restaurants and bars welcoming your best friend.
Best Dog-friendly Destinations On The West Coast
California’s coastal sand dunes in the north and the famous 27-mile loop in the south (between Carmel and Monterey) are two of the best West Coast trips you can take with your dog, especially with the winter. Without further ado, here are the details on all the sights, stops, and things to do on these two Northern California road trips along the Pacific Coast.
P.S. I have made every effort to provide up-to-date information on dog housing based on my location, but pet policies change frequently. So call and check before booking.
1) Walking with a dog should make them comfortable first. Road trips with dogs aren’t always easy, so read this article for pet travel tips and how to be successful when traveling with your furry friend. As for us, let’s make sure there’s enough space in the back for Babu to sit comfortably in his car bed, with food and water nearby.
Make sure your dog is not distracted while driving and try not to make the trip too long (in our case it was 3-4 hours at most). For longer trips, break them up into shorter 2-3 hour drives and find parks/tours/towns and restaurants along the way where you can stretch your legs or grab a bite to eat.
Dog Friendly Holidays France
For the two trips I mentioned here, I recommend Mendocino (read Mendocino attractions in this article) or Guerneville/Gualala (depending on where you start) in the north and Carmel-by -the-Sea in the south. such as an anchor point. Both cities are very dog-friendly and have many dog-friendly hotels and restaurants, such as these hotels in Carmel.
2) Summers in northern California along the coast are foggy, which contradicts the idea that California is always sunny. The coast is cool and windy, so dress appropriately and maybe even buy a coat for your furry friend.
3) Not all beaches, trails, restaurants and attractions in California are dog-friendly. You can save yourself the hassle and headache of finding a pet store by reading my friendly California travel tips here.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1053273574-2000-6c544c6781aa42b3808bbbd819462b08.jpg?strip=all "Best Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast")
If you’ve never driven before or if this is your first trip with your dog, you’re naturally a little worried. To get you started, we’ve put together some really helpful resources to help you plan a dog-friendly trip:
Pet-friendly Vacations: The 34 Best Destinations For 2024
BEST DOG WALKING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. ABOUT MENDOCCINO TO SAN FRANCISCO HAWAII 1.
Beginning in the north, the Coastal Highway (Highway 1), which stretches from Mendocino County to Sonoma County, not only offers spectacular views of the California coast, but also home to the famous coastal redwoods. Although this trail is very winding, there are many stops for dogs. along the way, including small towns to explore, so please plan at least one day for the trip.
We’ve visited nearby Mendocino and Fort Bragg in the past (dog-friendly towns with hotels, restaurants, and dog-friendly attractions), and this was one of our favorite trips along the Pacific Coast. Read my guide to dog-friendly Mendocino to see what makes us tick.
The first stop on the drive south from Mendocino is the 152-year-old Point Arena Lighthouse, perched on a piece of land jutting out of the ocean that acts as a fog break on the south coast. There is a $5 entrance fee to the tower, and dogs are allowed in the museum and gift shop and on the lighthouse deck, which is a great spot for whale watching in California.
21 Best Dog-friendly Hotels In The Uk
We then travel to the charming town of Anchor Bay on our way to Gualala, the last point of Mendocino County along the Red Coast that gives way to Sonoma County. Gualala is famous for its inns, has a dog rental and lookout that offers whale watching from December to March, and is another dog-friendly town.
We explored the Guualala Cliff Trail, part of the Redwood Coast conservation effort, which starts at the Surf Motel (no parking yes, cars must be on the street). The trail is short and offers spectacular views of the estuary and ocean for half an hour along the edge of the bluff that runs west of the city’s commercial district.
If you’re looking for more adventurous activities, Gualala Point Regional Park and Beach is just a short drive away, and you can read more about dog-friendly hiking in this article.
Stay at this non-denominational Sea Ranch home just off Highway 1. A generous gift from Sea Ranch residents Robert and Betty Buffum, the chapel was completed in 1985 by artist and architect James Hubbell. The chapel and its surroundings are open to visitors 365 days a year.
Two Most Scenic Dog Friendly Road Trips In Northern California
Timber Cove is another Sonoma Coast town that you’ll see on this west coast road trip. I highly recommend stopping for lunch at the dog-friendly Timber Cove Resort (Coast Restaurant) and walking the steps to the steps overlooking the ocean with great views of the coast.
Fort Ross National Park should be your next stop as you drive down Highway 1 to Jenner, where the Russian River flows into the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the Jenner Belvedere (where you can admire sleeping seals from a distant Pacific harbor) and Gleason Lookout, the main attraction is the unique Fort Ross National Park, a Russian-American city of the 19th century.
This is a rare dog park where dogs can enter the first building within the walls. Pay the parking fee and follow the paved road to the walled estate, which includes original buildings such as the church and Rochev House. Fort Ross also has amazing beaches and coastal walks.
Many dog-friendly beaches overlook Highway 1/Coastal Highway in Jenner to Bodega Bay, which is part of Sonoma Coast State Park. Among the dog-friendly beaches (from north to south) are Russian Gulch State Beach, Blind Beach (south of Goat Rock Beach where the seals sleep), Shell Beach, Furlong Gulch, Wright’s Beach , Duncan’s Landing View, Duncan’s Bay, Portugal. Beach, Schoolhouse Beach, Carmet Beach and Marshalls Gulch.
Pet Friendly Hotels
Please note that many of these beaches are only accessible by plane from the parking/parking area on Highway 1. Dogs must be kept on a leash. string at all times. Be sure to wear warm clothing as these beaches are as windy and cold as any Northern California beach.
Looking for a dog-friendly place to dine and enjoy beautiful views of the Russian River and Pacific Ocean? Then head straight to the grassy area of ​​Cafe Aquatica with your meal or coffee and watch the kayaking or sunset on the beach. We love this place and hope you enjoy your stay here on your dog friendly trip along the California coast.
Bodega Bay is the last town on the Sonoma coast that you will see on your way to the West Coast down Highway 1. This beach town has many beaches and trails. plenty for the dog to keep the pooch happy. In addition, you have the sleepy town of Bodega, home of Alfred Hitchcock
