Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast – Looking for the best tours on the West Coast? As a dog mom who has traveled all over California with her furry pup, I’m here to give you some fun facts about two of the funnest California road trips to add some fun to your travel plans. This Northern California travel guide has tons of information on the best dog-friendly stops, hikes, beaches, restaurants, and accommodations you can find on your way with your dog.
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Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast
If you’re a sworn “dog-friendly” pet parent like me, your bucket list should include at least one dog walk in Northern California. In over 10 years in Northern California (we live in San Francisco) we have traveled with Babu (our Tibetan Spaniel mix) on several dog friendly trips from San Francisco, some of which we still love to this day. These Northern California tours are definitely contenders because of the many attractions and restaurants that will welcome your best friend.
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The California Coastal Redwoods to the north and the famous 17-mile stretch to the south (between Carmel and Monterey) are two of the best places in the West to walk your dog, especially in the winter. So without further ado, here are all the dog-friendly sights, stops, and activities along the two hiking trails in Northern California along the Pacific Coast.
P.S. While I try to provide the most up-to-date information on dog services, pet laws are constantly changing as I live. So please call before booking to confirm.
1) Traveling with dogs should be comfortable for them. Traveling with a dog isn’t easy, and you can read our article on traveling with pets for tips on how to be successful with your furry friend. As for us, make sure there is enough room in our backs for Babu to be comfortable in our car bed.
Make sure your dog is well behaved and try not to go on long journeys (our maximum is 3-4 hours). For longer trips, look for dog-friendly parks/hikes/towns/restaurants 2-3 hours away to stretch your legs or grab a bite to eat.
Pet Friendly Victoria, Bc
For the two trips I mentioned here, I recommend either Mendocino (read this article for all the things to do in Mendocino) or Guerneville / Gualala (depending on where you start) and Carmel Sea on the north side. south as an anchor point. Both cities are very friendly and have many dog-friendly hotels and restaurants, such as the Dog Hotel in Carmel.
2) Northern California summers along the coast are foggy, defying the “it’s always sunny in California” mentality. It’s cold and windy along the coast, so dress appropriately and bring a coat for your furry friend too.
3) Not all beaches, roads, restaurants and places in California are friendly. You can save yourself the trouble and headache of finding a dog-friendly facility by reading my California Dog Travel Policy here.
If you’ve never been in a car or it’s your first time traveling with your dog, you should understand that it can be a little overwhelming. So to get you started, here are some helpful tips to help you plan your dog’s trip.
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CALIFORNIA’S BEST ROADS INCLUDE: Highway 1 FROM MENDOCCINO TO SAN FRANCISCO
Starting in the north and stretching from Mendocino County to Sonoma County, the Coastal Highway (Highway 1) offers beautiful views of the California coast and is home to famous beaches. Allow at least half a day for your trip as there are many small towns to explore along the route.
We’ve visited Mendocino and nearby Fort Bragg (a town with lots of hotels, restaurants, and attractions) several times before, and love that it’s a great drive along the Pacific coast. Read my dog-friendly Mendocino guide to find out about some of the favorite dog activities there.
The first stop south of Mendocino will be the 152-year-old Point Arena Lighthouse, located on land jutting out into the ocean like a misty beach to the south, dogs are allowed at the Lighthouse, which is a great spot.
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Next comes the small town of Anchor Bay in Gualala, the end of Mendocino County on the Redwood Coast, and then the transition to Sonoma. Gualala is another dog-friendly town known for its hotels, dog-friendly rentals from December to March, and whale-watching spots.
We checked out the dog-friendly Gualala Canyon Trail, part of the Coastal Redwood Preserve, which starts at the Surf Motel (you can’t park there, you have to). The trail is short and runs west from the city’s business district, offering views of the estuary and ocean for half a mile to the river’s edge.
If you want to have more fun with your pup, Gualala Point Park and Beach is just a short drive away, and you can read more about our dog walks in these posts.
Stop by the non-denominational church in Sea Ranch just off Highway 1. Donated by Sea Ranch residents Robert and Betty Buffum, the church was completed in 1985 by architect James Hubbell. The church and its surroundings are open to the public 365 days a year.
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Timber Cove is the next small town on the Sonoma Coast West Coast Dog Friendly Trail. I recommend dining at the dog-friendly Timber Cove Resort (The Beach Restaurant) and walking down the steps to the beautiful beach area.
Fort Ross State Park should be your next stop as you head down Highway 1 toward Jenner, where the Russian River empties into the Pacific Ocean. Adjacent to Jenner Belvedere (you can admire Pacific harbor seals in the distance) and Gleason’s Lookout is Fort Ross State Park, a unique 1800s Russian-American settlement.
It’s a rare hobby where dogs are allowed in old buildings with built-in walls. Pay a day’s rent at the car park and walk along the paved road with many old buildings such as the church and Rochev House. Fort Ross also has beautiful beaches and coastal walks to explore.
There are many dog beaches and overlooks along Highway 1 in Jenner/Bodega Bay, part of Sonoma Coast State Park. Here are the dog-friendly beaches (from north to south): Russian Gulch State Beach, Blind Beach (south of Goat Rock Beach, Shell Beach, Furlong Gulch, Wright’s Beach, Duncan’s Beach, Duncan’s Bay, Portuguese Beach, School Beach, Carmet). Beach, Marshall Gulch.
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Note that many of these beaches are only accessible by walking from the driveway/parking area off Highway 1. Dogs must be on a leash. These beaches, like all beaches in Northern California, are windy and cold, so be sure to dress warmly.
Looking for a dog-friendly place to grab a bite to eat while enjoying a gorgeous view of the Russian River where it meets the Pacific Ocean? Afterwards, grab lunch or coffee outside at Cafe Aquatica and watch the boat sail by or watch the sun set on the shore. We love this place and hope your dog gets some rest here while walking the California coast.
Bodega Bay is the last town you’ll visit on your west coast dog trip along Highway 1. This seaside town has plenty of beaches and trails to keep your kids happy. Plus you have Alfred Hitchcock’s sleepy Bodega Town
