Go ahead, both of you. Get wet! Summer is here; time to dip paws and toes in the water, if not go for an all-out swim (if your dog likes to fetch, now’s the time to throw those balls into the lake or waves). It’s not all about the coast, of course.
Here are some suggestions for water dogs, both dogs and their people:
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California’s
Central Coast starts in dog-friendly
Santa Cruz County and winds some 350 miles south to
Ventura County, just north of L.A. Yes, the famous coastal Highway 1 provides lots of mesmerizing scenery (and
dog-friendly beaches) along the way, but there’s so much else to see and do that you might prefer to make base camp with your four-legged friend and just chill for a few days somewhere along the route.
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If you and your pup don't live on the coast, you probably crave some surf and sand from time to time. Start at
Mitchell's Cove, the number one dog beach in Santa Cruz. It's the first strand up the coast from the lighthouse on West Cliff Drive, where you can walk for miles with your leashed dog. Follow the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) along the Santa Cruz County coastline for 29 more miles of beautiful beachfront, including 15 beaches that welcome pups.
Here’s your complete guide to the region’s
dog-friendly beach scene.
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Fresh sea breezes. Fido-friendly paddling, pedaling and hiking. Sustainable practices and cleaning products. Local wine and produce plated hours after harvest. Simple suggestions for living well. Enjoy highlights like these at dog-passionate
Stanford Inn by the Sea, a historic farm and eco-resort on the Mendocino coast.
Here is why we love Stanford Inn:
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Dog-friendly cabins dot the California landscape, connecting four-legged family members with best-in-show adventures. Whether you prefer a
farm stay in Gold Country, a trek along
Yosemite trails, or a Marin County
coastal stroll, you’ll always find great options. Because DogTrekker.com readers tell us that cabins and cottages are their top lodging preference, we asked Maya, DogTrekker’s Director of Barketing, to do some digging. She’s traveled California in search of dog-friendly cabins and cottages, and here are three of her favorites.
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Take a gorgeous national seashore and sprinkle in some intriguing history. Then, add luxury cottages, an oyster bar, and a restaurant. Give it a shake, and what do you get?
Nick’s Cove Restaurant, Oyster Bar & Cottages, a dog-friendly, boutique resort on Tomales Bay in Marin County, just outside
Point Reyes National Seashore.
Since the 1930s, the cozy cabins at Nick's Cove have accommodated sightseers, fishing fans and outdoor adventurers exploring the beautiful Tomales Bay coast.
Book direct and save.
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Kacee testing the waters in O’Hair Park Novato. In her 17th year when she passed, she never missed a dunk in a swimming hole.
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California travelers know fall is the ripe time to pack the hiking boots for an adventure in Northern California’s
Mendocino County. As the barometer slides, the fog pulls away, corks pop and nature hits its seasonal migration stride.
Here is the best of dog-friendly Mendocino County in the fall:
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Coastal
Mendocino County is stitched to rivers and ocean, but visitors aren’t restricted to just looking at the water. It’s also possible to get out on it—with your dog. Two premier options: the
Water Dog Package at Little River Inn Resort & Spa, which offers river nature tours on the Albion River, and
Catch A Canoe & Bicycles Too, which has been outfitting paddlers on the Big River since 1972.
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The active Noyo Harbor fishing village sets an engaging backdrop for a
Noyo Harbor Inn stay. Walk your dog around the village, or
plan adventures at the area’s state parks, beaches, botanical gardens and attractions. Ride the famous
Skunk Train. Admire shimmering
Glass Beach at sunset. Photograph
Fort Bragg murals. You’ll find plenty of fun for you and your four-legged friends.
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Take a national seashore, cross it with some intriguing history, add luxury cottages, an oyster bar and restaurant. Give it a shake and what do you get?
Nick’s Cove Restaurant, Oyster Bar & Cottages, a dog-friendly, boutique resort on Tomales Bay in Marin County, just outside
Point Reyes National Seashore. Nick's Cove is one of the last remaining historic settlements catering to the early California tourist trade on the beautiful Tomales Bay coast land.
Book direct and save.
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As of June 20, it’s officially summertime! Lakes and rivers are not so full as last year, but don’t let the drought hamper your fun. Thousands of splash spots in California await people and pups eager to get wet in the great outdoors.
Here are the great splash-zones where you can get wet with your dogs:
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It’s no secret that California Highway 1 (aka the Pacific Coast Highway) is considered one of the most scenic routes in the country. All the better, then, that it leads to
Santa Cruz, arguably one of the most scenic sun-and-surf towns in the state. You’ll love it there and so will your dog, given all the fun activities you can do together.
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Leaving Highway 101 at Cloverdale (Sonoma county), and heading on CA-128 West, this scenic road offers up many delights, from the
Boonville General Store (think deli goodies from pizza to soups and sandwiches) in southern
Mendocino County, to Leggett, on the Eel River in the north. In between? Let us count just a few of the ways along this 55-mile stretch of road to make your DogTrekking trip memorable.
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From the editors: We thank John Poimiroo for this special tribute to Cooper, a passionate and loyal DogTrekker! Check out his adventures...
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It’s oyster season! And it’s hard to imagine a more ideal place to enjoy a delectable dozen than at
Nick’s Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar, a cherished dog-friendly
restaurant and lodging property on Tomales Bay in Marin County.
Santa Claus also makes his
annual trek by boat to his boathouse workshop on December 6, 2020, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Safety will be his main concern so kids will not sit on his lap this year, but able to have a socially-distanced photo with him (bring and wear your masks).
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It's finally summer (Indian at least) and it's hot, hot, hot! Many DogTrekkers will be heading for the beaches over the next several weeks, both mountain and ocean! For a fun and safe time for pups and the entire family, please be follow the above safety precautions (
click to enlarge or download).
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By now, we all know the drill: wash your hands, cover your face in public, maintain six feet of “social distancing” between yourself and anyone else who is not a member of your household “bubble.” So where does your dog fit in? Right by your side, as always! In
Mendocino County, you’ll have access to many activities that let you have fun while still adhering to the guidelines. Here are a few suggestions.
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Summer is here, and so is beach season. This year, however, looks strangely different due to Covid-19 restrictions. Many of the 1,500 beaches in 15 coastal counties still have temporary beach and parking lot restrictions. While some beaches are open in every county,
no counties have all beaches and facilities fully open and operating.
Check out the full county by county list.
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Great news for dog parents! The East Bay Regional Park District reopened
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline today, June 1, 2020, with special restrictions to keep dogs on leash. The popular Point Isabel was closed out of an abundance of caution to limit crowding and maintain social distancing.
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As summer approaches, so does beach season. However, this year looks strangely different due to Covid-19. Many of the 1,500 beaches in 15 coastal counties have temporary beach and parking lot closures. While some beaches are open in every county,
no counties have all beaches fully open and operating.
Check out the updated list by county.
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From
Santa Cruz County all the way down to Ventura, California’s
Central Coast is a wave-washed mecca for DogTrekkers. You’ll find lots of choices for dog-friendly cabin and cottage lodging as well as tempting properties offered on airbnb.com, vrbo.com, homeaway.com and other home-sharing sites. Here are a few of our favorite retreats up and down this scenic slice of the state.
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From Marin Dog:
Take Action to Stop the 2019 Superintendent’s Compendium By Wednesday, November 27!
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area recently released a Superintendent’s
Compendium that attempts to implement parts of the withdrawn
Dog Management Plan—but without a public process. If the National Park Service gets its way, there will be new restrictions in Marin County, right in the middle of our most popular off-leash areas.
These changes are unnecessary, unjustified and almost impossible to enforce. This also impacts GGNRA lands in
San Francisco and
San Mateo Counties. DogTrekker asks that you continue reading to better understand this new approach and what you can do to once again stop this craziness.
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Stanford Inn is a standout in the dog-friendly world not simply because it was one of the first in California to roll out the red carpet for pets. It was also one of the first to adopt sustainable practices, helping to kick off the “green” revolution that resonates today. And it might just be the only vegan resort in the nation. If you’re an omnivore, don’t be put off, be adventurous! What you’ll sample at
The Ravens, the inn’s acclaimed restaurant, will turn your head and your mind. It starts with a cooked-to-order, plant-based breakfast (included in the rates).
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A mere five minutes from Little River, much-photographed Mendocino Village, with its wealth of lacy Victorians and colorful saltbox cottages, is loaded with places to enjoy with your four-legged friend. Our top pick is
Stanford Inn by the Sea, just south of the village across Big River. Once you’ve explored the compact downtown, get your tails over to
Mendocino Headlands State Park, which surrounds the town on three sides.
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Lake County is named for that big puddle of blue on the map, and there’s lots to wag tails about on its shores. But Clear Lake is hardly the only body of water in the vicinity. Blue Lakes (Upper and Lower), just five miles away, are a pair of clear, spring-fed bodies of water ideal for swimming and fishing. Only human-powered craft and electric motors are allowed (speed limit is 5 mph), but you can rent an electric “yacht” or pontoon boat from the
Lodge at Blue Lakes and pile the kids and dogs on board for a great day of cruising about.
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Many say that coastal
Mendocino County is not so much a place as a state of mind. And for DogTrekkers, full immersion wouldn’t be complete without a dog-friendly paddle excursion along the serene Big River estuary.
Catch A Canoe & Bicycles Too, which shares ground with the extremely dog-friendly
Stanford Inn by the Sea, has been putting paddlers on the 8.3-mile estuary since 1972. A decade or so ago, it introduced Canine Cruisers to its fleet of handmade redwood outrigger canoes. The dog-friendly craft feature a raised, padded deck centered in the middle of the canoe between paddler positions in bow and stern.
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Nine miles. Four-plus hours of water time. Countless tail wags, big smiles. A float/paddle on a secluded section of the Russian River is a DogTrekker must-do for visitors to Sonoma County. With your water-loving dog on board in a custom-made SOAR inflatable canoe from
Russian River Adventures, you’ll explore a secluded section of the waterway downstream from Healdsburg and linger at swimming holes and beaches, picnicking, playing fetch and wishing the adventure would never end. If DogTrekkers act fast, the usual $10 dog fee will be waved mid-week through the end of June (use code DOG10TREK19 when
booking reservations).
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Here's
Cruiser, a happy, playful Lab/pit mix guy who, like lots of other dogs, lost his home due to the Camp Fire. Luckily for him he landed with the good folks at
Butte Humane Society in Chico, where he's waiting for his new folks to come find him.
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Whether your drive all or just some of intoxicating Highway 1 hugging the Mendocino County coast, you’re sure to find many places to pull over and get some sand between your and Buster’s toes. Go slow, stop often and be sure to check out these highlights.
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Noyo Beach, Mendocino County. Legal places to romp off-leash with your dog are few and far between on Mendocino County’s gorgeous coastline, but one place you can unclip and let your pup run free is Noyo Beach Off-Leash Dog Area in Fort Bragg.
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You’re sure to have a Beach Boys sound track playing in your head as you and your pup cavort on aptly named
Dog Beach, the leash-free segment of 3.5-mile-long Huntington Beach, centerpiece of the city of the same name (also known as Surf City USA). Surf culture rules in this SoCal mecca for more than 8 million annual visitors—and sometimes, especially during the annual
Surf City Surf Dog competition (Sept. 24 this year), it seems like there are that many dogs, too!
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You’re never far from the water when following the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) through
Santa Cruz County. The curvy coastline is studded with 29 miles of beaches providing lots of options for DogTrekkers. Fifteen strands are dog-friendly, and one,
Mitchell’s Cove, is legally leash-free during daylight hours before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
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You’ll forget all about work, worries and traffic woes once you get within sight and sound of the sea. And in
Sonoma County, there are dozens of places where you and your pup can splash to your hearts’ content and then bed down to the ceaseless whooshing of the restless Pacific.
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Diesel and Oliver's parents, Ashley and Chris P. were the lucky winners of our Nick's Cove 2015 DogCation. The whole family got to enjoy a wonderful seaside adventure along Tomales Bay.
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