Best Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast – Looking for the best West Coast dog friendly trip? As a dog mom who has traveled to California with her adorable pooches, I’m here to share all the fun facts about two popular dog-friendly California road trips that are sure to rock your travel plans! This Northern California dog-friendly travel guide has tons of information about the best dog-friendly stops, hikes, beaches, restaurants, and accommodations—basically everything you’re looking for on a dog-friendly trip.
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Best Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast
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If you’re a pet lover like me and swear “if you’re going to travel with a dog,” one of the things on your bucket list should include at least one dog trip in Northern California. In our 10+ years of traveling with Babu (our Tibetan Spaniel mix) in Northern California (we live in San Francisco), we have taken many trips from San Francisco, two of which are still our favorites. These dog-friendly trips in Northern California are clear winners, with plenty of attractions and restaurants waiting for your best friend.
A Dog Friendly Destination
Exploring the California Coast Redwoods in the north and the famous 17 Mile Drive in the south (between Carmel and Monterey) are some of the best West Coast trips with your dog, especially in the winter. So without further ado, here’s information on dog-friendly places, stops, and things to do on these two dog-friendly trips along Northern California’s Pacific Coast.
PS I have tried my best to provide the most up-to-date information on dog shelters based on my location, but pet laws change frequently. So, please call and confirm before booking.
1) Travel with dogs should be at their comfort level! Traveling with a dog isn’t always easy, and in this post about traveling with a pet, you’ll find tips and advice for a successful trip with your furry friend! In our case, make sure there is enough room in the back for Dad to rest comfortably in a portable car bed, with food and water.
Make sure your dog is comfortable driving and don’t try to make long trips (ours is 3-4 hours max). For longer trips, break it up into shorter 2-3 hour drives and find dog-friendly parks/hikes/towns and restaurants along the way to stretch your legs or grab a bite to eat.
The Guide To Virginia’s Dog Friendly Beaches
For the two road trips mentioned here, I recommend Mendocino (see this post for things to do in Mendocino) or Guerneville/Gualala (depending on where you start) and south to Carmel-by-the-Sea as an anchor. Both points are dog-friendly, and many hotels and restaurants are dog-friendly, such as these dog-friendly hotels in Carmel.
2) Northern California has a foggy summer on the coast, challenging the idea that “it’s always sunny in California.” The beach is cold and windy, so please dress accordingly 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 dog-friendly property by reading my dog-friendly travel tips in California here!
If you’ve never traveled by car, or if it’s your first trip with your dog, you’re understandably nervous. To get you started, here are some great tips to help you plan your dog-friendly trip:
Great Dog Friendly Beaches In California
Best Northern California Trail with Dogs: Route 1 from Mendocino to San Francisco
From Mendocino County to Sonoma County, the Coastal Highway (Highway 1) starts in the north and not only offers spectacular views of the California coast, but is also home to the famous Coastal Redwoods. Although it is very windy, there are many places along this route that dogs love. The route includes small towns to explore, so please allow at least half a day for the trip.
We’ve been to Mendocino and nearby Fort Bragg several times in the past (a very dog-friendly town with dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, and attractions), and it’s the most dog-friendly trip on the rest of the Pacific. The beach is our favorite. Read my guide to dog-friendly Mendocino for all of our favorite dog-friendly events.
Heading south from Mendocino, the first stop will be the 152-year-old Point Arena Lighthouse, which sits precariously on a bluff and doubles as a lighthouse on the south coast. Admission to the lighthouse is $5, and dogs are allowed in the museum and gift shop, as well as on the grounds of the lighthouse, which is also the center for whale watching in California.
Dog Friendly Beaches Near Orlando
Then we go to Gualala, a small town in Anchor Bay, Mendocino County at the end of the Redwood Coast, which leads to Sonoma County. Gualala is known for its accommodation, many dog-friendly areas, and whale watching from December to March, and is another dog-friendly town.
We hiked the Galala Bluff Trail for dogs, which is part of the Larch Coastal Conservancy, the trail starts at the Surf Motel (you can’t park there, you have to park on the street). The path is short and offers stunning views of the sea and ocean for half a mile, paralleling the cliff edge as it travels west of the city’s commercial district.
If you want to have more fun with your dog, you can take a short drive down to Galala Point Regional Park and the beach, and you can read our dog-friendly travel information in this post.
Stop by this non-denominational church in Sea Ranch, 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 grounds are open to the public 365 days a year.
Discover The Best Dog Friendly Campgrounds In California
Timber Cove is the next pint-sized town on the Sonoma Coast you’ll encounter on this dog-friendly West Coast road trip. I recommend stopping by the dog-friendly Timber Cove Resort for lunch (Coast Restaurant) and walking down the stairs to their beach area with its stunning views of the coast.
Make Fort Ross State Park your next stop as you drive down Highway 1 to Jenner, where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean. Along with the Jenner Belvedere (where you can see gliding Pacific harbor seals in the distance) and overlooking Gleason, the main attraction here is the unique Fort Ross State Park, home to a Russian-American settlement in the 1800s.
This is a rare dog-friendly park where dogs are allowed inside the original buildings, within strong walls. Pay the day-use fee at the car park and walk the paved path to the fortified compound, home to many original buildings such as the church and Rochoff House. Fort Ross also has beaches and beautiful coastal paths.
There are many dog-friendly beaches and overlooks along Highway 1/Shoreline Highway from Jenner to Bodega Bay, which is part of Sonoma Coast State Park. These dog-friendly beaches include (from north to south) Russian Gulch State Beach, Blind Beach (south of Goat Rock Beach where the seals sleep), Shell Beach, Furlong Gulch, Wright Beach, Duncan’s Beach View, Duncan Cove , Portuguese Beach, School House. Beach, Carmit Beach, and Marshall’s Gulch.
Pet Friendly Hotels
Note that many of these beaches are accessible by steps down from the pull-out area/parking lot off Hwy 1. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Remember to dress warmly as these beaches are windy and cold, like all Northern California beaches.
Looking for a dog-friendly place to eat while enjoying spectacular views of the Russian River and Pacific Ocean? Afterwards, head to the grassy area outside Cafe Aquatica to order a meal or coffee and watch the kayakers sail the beach as the sun sets. We love this place and hope you enjoy your friendly trip here on the California coast.
Bodega Bay is the last town on the Sonoma Coast you’ll drive along Highway 1 on your dog-friendly West Coast tour. This beach town has plenty of dog-friendly beaches and ways to keep your dog happy. Plus, there’s the sleepy town of Bodega, home of Alfred Hitchcock
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