Waterfront Hotel

Yes, Oakland is a vibrant urban place to visit, but it’s not all about dog-friendly ale and wine trails, waterfront dining and hotels (more about that below). As dog-centric locals know, one of the pleasures of living here is proximity to many open-space preserves where you can flee the big-city hustle-bustle and revel with your pup in the shade of redwoods or atop grassy ridges with panoramic views. more »

If all that hiking, eating and drinking makes it unwise to drive home, why not put paws to pillow? The standout dog-friendly Oakland hotel, perhaps, is the Waterfront Hotel in the Jack London Square dining, shopping and entertainment district. Fittingly for a hotel with water frontage, the décor at this boutique Joie de Vivre property is nautical. It’s affordable as big-city hotels go and there's never an extra charge for dogs more »

Kayla decided to attend Jack London Square's Boo! Bark, Brews & Bites Halloween party and spent the night at the Joie de Vivre's Waterfront Hotel, which was just steps away from the fun. more »

Summer days are great for long, lingering meals on the tail end of an outing with your pet. Lake Merritt, the large tidal lagoon in the center of town, is one of Oakland’s most popular jogging and dog-walking venues and a great place to go for a leg-stretch. Linger over an upscale lunch or dinner at Lake Chalet Seafood Bar, a special-occasion venue; or indulge in Italian comfort food at Barlago Italian Kitchen, where heated outdoor tables take the chill off the often brisk marine air. Tuesday-Friday happy hours feature discounted draft beers, wine and antipasti specials. more »

Dog-loving residents of Oakland have it all: tons of bars and restaurants with dog-friendly outdoor seating; an overall welcoming attitude toward canines; and a wealth of open-space trails, many of which don’t require leashes away from developed areas. The city also has a hip, dog-friendly place to stay in the Waterfront Hotel in the heart of the vibrant Jack London Square dining, shopping and entertainment district. more »