Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast – Looking for the best west coast dog friendly trip? As a dog mom who travels all over California with her fur babies; We’re here to tell you all the fun facts about two great California dog hikes to spice up your travel plans. This guide to dog-friendly travel in Northern California includes dog-friendly stops, hikes, beaches, restaurants, and accommodations: it’s full of information on everything you’re looking for when traveling with dogs.
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Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast
If you are a pet parent like me who swears “I will travel with a dog” One of the things on your bucket list should include at least one dog trip in Northern California. With Babu (our tibetan spaniel) and Babu (who lives in San Francisco) and Babu (who lives in San Francisco) for over 10 years we have gone on many dog trips from San Francisco, two of which are still our favorites to this day . These dog-friendly Northern California road trips are top-rated thanks to the many attractions and restaurants along the way that welcome your best friend.
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Exploring California’s Coastal Redwoods in the north and the famous 17-mile drive in the south (between Carmel and Monterey) are two of the best West Coast drives you can experience, especially in the winter. So, without further ado, here are some attractions for dogs; Here’s information on all the stops and things to do on the two dog-friendly trails on Northern California’s Pacific Coast.
P.S. I have done my best to provide the most up-to-date information on dog-friendly accommodations based on my stay, but pet policies change frequently. So call and confirm before you book.
1) Traveling with dogs must be comfortable for them. Traveling with dogs isn’t always easy; Read this post for tips on traveling with pets and tips for a successful trip with your furry friend. for us Make sure we have enough room in the back for Babu to rest comfortably on his bed in the truck.
Make sure your dog is comfortable in the car and don’t take very long trips (ours was 3-4 hours max). For long trips, break them up into short 2-3 hour drives and keep an eye out for dog-friendly parks/trails/towns and restaurants along the way to stretch your legs or grab a bite to eat.
Dog Friendly Hampshire
For the two trips described here, I highly recommend using either Mendocino (read all you can do in Mendocino in this post) or Guerneville/Gualala (depending on where you start) and Carmel-by-the. – Sea weather to the south. Both of these cities are very dog-friendly and have many dog-friendly hotels and restaurants, like these dog-friendly hotels in Carmel.
2) Northern California summers along the coast are foggy and I believe in the “it’s always sunny in California” concept. It can be cold and windy along the coast, so dress accordingly and even bring a coat for your furry friend.
3) beaches; roads Not all restaurants and attractions in California are dog-friendly. You can save yourself the hassle and headache of looking for a dog-friendly facility by reading about my California dog trips here.
If you’ve never been in a car before, or if this is your first trip with your dog, you’re bound to be a little apprehensive. So, to get you started, here are some very useful resources to help you plan your dog trip.
Destin Pet Friendly Guide
BEST DOG TRAVEL IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: MENDOCINO TO SAN FRANCISCO DOWN HIGHWAY 1
Beginning in the north, the Coastal Highway (Highway 1) stretches from Mendocino County to Sonoma County, offering not only spectacular views of the California coast, but also home to the famous Coastal Forest. Although very windy. There are several dog-friendly stations on this route. Allow at least half a day for your trip, including small towns to explore.
We’ve visited Mendocino and nearby Fort Bragg (with dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, and attractions) several times, and this continues to be our favorite dog-friendly trip along the Pacific Coast. Read our Mendocino Dog Guide to find out our favorite dog activities to do there.
The first stop as you drive south from Mendocino is the 152-year-old Point Arena Lighthouse, located on a piece of land jutting out into the ocean that acts as a lighthouse for the south coast. A $5 admission fee is required for the lighthouse, and dogs are allowed in the museum and gift shop, as well as at the lighthouse, which are some of the best whale watching spots in California.
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Then, arriving at Gualala, Mendocino County’s last destination along the Redwood Coast, the quaint town of Anchor Bay; Then it gives way to Sonoma County. Gualala is famous for its lodges; This is another dog-friendly town, with several places offering dog rentals and whale watching from December to March.
We explored the dog-friendly Gualala Blue Trail, part of the Redwood Coast Conservation Initiative, where the trail starts at the Surf Motel (if you can’t park there, you have to park on the street). The path is short and runs west of the city’s business district, paralleling a half-mile long boulevard and offering beautiful views of the estuary and sea.
For more fun with your pooches, a short drive down will bring you to Gualala Point Regional Park and Beach. You can read more about our dog walk in this post.
Stop by this nondenominational church in Sea Ranch just off Highway 1. A generous gift from Sea Ranch residents Robert and Betty Buff, this church was completed in 1985 by artist and architect James Hubbell. The temple and its surroundings are open to the public 365 days a year.
Dog Friendly Sea View Cottages
Timber Cove is a tiny town on the Sonoma coast that you’ll experience on this dog-friendly West Coast road trip. We highly recommend stopping at the dog-friendly Timber Cove Resort (beachfront restaurant) for lunch and walking down the stairs to the ocean view overlooking the beach.
Fort Ross State Park should be your next stop as you drive down Highway 1 to Jenner, where the Russian River flows into the Pacific Ocean. Except for Jenner Belvedere (where you can admire Pacific harbor seals snoozing in the distance) and Gleason View. The main attraction here is the unique Fort Ross State Park, once a Russian-American settlement in the 1800s.
This is a rare dog-friendly park that allows dogs in the original buildings within strong walls. Pay the daily fee at the car park and walk to the walled courtyard which contains many of the original buildings such as the church and the Rotchev House. Fort Ross also has beaches to explore and stunning coastal paths.
There are several dog-friendly beaches along Highway 1/Shoreline Highway in Jenner and overlooks on the way to Bodega Bay, which is part of Sonoma Coast State Park. Among them, Dog Friendly Beaches (from north to south) Russian Gulch State Beach; Blind Beach (south of Goat Rock Beach, where seals sleep); Shell Beach Furlong Gulch, Wright’s Beach Scene of Duncan’s Landing; Duncan’s Cove; Portuguese Beach School House Beach; Carmet Beach and Marshalls Gulch.
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Please note that many of these beaches are only accessible via a steep flight of stairs from the exit/parking lot on Highway 1. Dogs must be kept tidy at all times. Just like the beaches of Northern California, it can be windy and cold, so don’t forget to dress well.
Looking for a dog-friendly spot while enjoying beautiful views of the Russian River as it flows into the Pacific Ocean? Afterwards, head straight to Cafe Aquatica’s grassy area and order food or coffee while you watch the boaters sail by or watch the sunset on the beach. We love this place and look forward to stopping here on your trip up the California Dog Coast.
Bodega Bay is the last Sonoma beach town you’ll visit on your dog-friendly Highway 1 road trip. This beach town has plenty of dog-friendly beaches and trails to keep your pooch happy. In the annex is the sleepy town of Bodega by Alfred Hitchcock.
