HealthyPets Blog

If you’re looking for dog friendly vacation ideas California, then look no further than us! We have listed below the very best locations in California that you and your best friend are absolutely going to love. Our dogs are more than just pets, they are precious members of the family and they too deserve a great vacation. There are more than 702 cities in California that are dog friendly, so there is certain to be one that will be ideal for you and your favourite pooch. So let’s dip in and take a closer look at some of the best dog friendly destinations that California has to offer.

 

Top 10 dog friendly vacation ideas California:

1. San Diego

When it comes to dog friendly vacation ideas California it really doesn’t get better than San Diego. They adore dogs here and it really does show this place was made for dogs. It really is a dog’s paradise, with so much to see and do. San Diego boasts 129 pet friendly hotels including the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, which your dog is certain to love and Westin Gaslamp Quarter, which boasts some very good reviews.

If your dog loves being adventurous then he/she is in luck, San Diego has lots of dog friendly attractions and parks including Nate’s Point Off Leash dog Park, which is located in Balboa Park. This park is considered to be the very best dog park in San Diego. It is totally fenced and because of this, it’s very secure. It offers a double entry gate, picnic tables, a drinking fountain and is open 24 hours a day. Fiesta Island off Leash Dog Park and Cabrillo Tide Pools Trail are other dog parks in San Diego that are also top rated. San Diego is tops when it comes to dog friendly vacation ideas California.

After a long day, you’re going to want to relax and enjoy some good food and San Diego offers just that! It offers 202 dog friendly restaurants as well as cafes, coffee shops and bars.

2. Santa Barbara

For dog friendly vacation ideas California, Santa Barbara comes in second. This place is ideal for dogs, they love their dogs here and they show it, Santa Barbara has absolutely everything your best friend is going to need for a great vacation. There are 45 pet friendly hotels here including The Fees Parker A Doubletree by Hilton Resort and this hotel has had some very good ratings. It’s located in Southern California and has stunning views of the coastline. It’s a 24 acre mansion. Another great hotel is Ocean Mesa at EL Capitan Canyon and is located on California’s central coast. For dogs that love the outdoors and adventures Santa Barbara boasts 22 pet friendly activities including Douglas Family Preserve, which is an off leash dog park. It is 70 acres, which means lots of great walks for both you and your best friend. Another great place to visit is Ocean Front Trail. Here you can walk your dog on this beautiful beachside, grassy trail. For refreshments Santa Barbara has 44 dog friendly restaurants, including cafes, bars and coffee shops. No wonder it’s on our list of dog friendly vacation ideas California.

3. San Francisco

San Francisco is super dog friendly and boasts 86 pet friendly hotels including the Argonaut Hotel which is located on the waterfront with stunning views. For dog friendly vacation ideas California this place is amazing. This hotel has some amazing reviews and it’s not hard to see why. You and your best friend will love it. If your best friend is active and loves exploring then San Francisco offers 63 dog friendly activities including Golden Gate Park, which is one of the most popular parks in San Francisco and has an off leash area that is located near to the entrance. Another great park is Baker Beach which is roughly 1 mile south of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a lovely place, with stunning views of the famous landmark.

When it comes to restaurants San Francisco has everything covered. There are 167 dog friendly restaurants as well as coffee shops and bars.

4. Los Angeles

When it comes to dog friendly vacation ideas California it doesn’t get much better than Los Angeles. This amazing place has 78 pet friendly hotels including Kimpton Hotel Palomar Beverly Hills, which is located on the Golden Mile of Wilshire Boulevard Hotel Palomar. This hotel has some awesome reviews and would be the ideal base for a great vacation. It’s ideally situated to all amenities and Beverly Hills is just 3 miles away. For activities and attractions Los Angeles won’t let you down, this place boasts 40 dog friendly attractions including Wattles Garden Park, where leashed dogs are very welcome and it’s located on the grounds of Wattles Mansion. Westridge Canyonback Wilderness Park is another great place for your dog, with stunning scenery and views of downtown. After a day sightseeing you’re going to want refreshments and this place has it covered. There are 135 dog friendly restaurants here including cafes, bars and coffee shops, which is why it’s on our list of dog friendly vacation ideas California.

5. Big Bear Lake

For dog friendly places in California look no further than Big Bear Lake. This place was made for your best friend. It has 333 pet friendly hotels including Big Bear Frontier which is a stunningly beautiful lake front resort that offers you an escape to the wild. It has some awesome reviews and it’s not hard to see why. This place really is as escape from it all vacation. Bear Creek Resort is another pet friendly hotel and is just minutes away from the village and ski slopes. If your pooch loves his/her activities and leads an active lifestyle then this place will delight. It has 6 dog friendly activities including Alpine Pedal Beach which is the perfect place to explore and enjoy the stunning scenery. When refreshments are needed Big Bear Lake has it all, you can enjoy good food and drinks in the 9 dog friendly restaurants.

6. Carmel

For dog friendly vacation ideas California it doesn’t get much better than Carmel. Carmel offers you and you and your pooch 39 pet friendly hotels including Carmel Valley Ranch which is a great resort offering everything you’ll need for a great vacation with your dog. It has great ratings and has been going for decades. Another great place to stay is Cypress Inn which boasts a stately exterior along with a more classic interior. It’s a beautiful place to stay and enjoy your vacation.

When it comes to dog friendly places in California Carmel won’t disappoint, it has 13 dog friendly activities including Carmel Beach, which has some amazing reviews. It really is one of the very best beaches around. Your dog will be the happiest dog in the world when he/she sees this place. Garland Ranch Regional Park is also well worth visiting and this place too has awesome ratings. It’s a stunning place and enjoys the Carmel River running through it. Dogs can be taken off leash at certain points, so they can enjoy a run around. For restaurants Carmel doesn’t disappoint, it offers 23 dog friendly restaurants, where you can enjoy good food and drinks.

7. Palm Springs

When you’re looking for dog friendly vacation ideas California you have to consider Palm Springs. This place is a dog’s paradise and you will definitely love it too. Palm Springs has 174 pet friendly hotels including The Saguaro Palm Springs that offers a top class experience. The ratings are amazing and you and your best friend are certain to love it. There are also many self catering options available, that your dog will love. For dog friendly vacation ideas California Palm Springs has everything you’ll need including Palm Springs Dog Park, which is located behind City Hall. This park boasts 1.6 acres, so your dog really can enjoy a glorious walk and run around.

After a day sightseeing you will definitely need some refreshments and something to eat and Palm Springs has it covered. This place offers 33 dog friendly restaurants where you can relax and enjoy delicious food and drinks.

8. Long Beach

Long Beach was always going to be on our top 10 list of dog friendly vacation ideas California. This place loves dogs and they make absolutely sure their needs are catered for. It enjoys 17 pet friendly hotels that include The Queen Mary, this offers cruise ship fun but you don’t even have to leave the shore. It’s a 1930s luxury cruise ship that boasts some very impressive reviews. You and your dog will absolutely love staying there. Long Beach also has activities and attractions covered. Your pooch can enjoy lots of dog parks and beaches including Recreation Park Dog Park and Rosie’s Dog Beach. Recreation Dog Park is pretty impressive with awesome ratings and offers separately fenced off areas, for little and large dogs. The park also has lovely trees, water and beaches. Rosie’s Dog Beach is the only beach that allows for your dog to be off leash. It’s located on the waterfront and has three acres.

When it comes to restaurants Long Beach has it sorted. There are 38 dog friendly restaurants there as well as bars, cafes and coffee shops.

9. Santa Cruz

When you’re choosing your destination in California you definitely have to think about Santa Cruz. For dog friendly vacation ideas California this just had to make our top 10 destinations. They adore dogs here and it really does show, they have thought of everything for them. Santa Cruz offers 29 pet friendly hotels including Hilton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley which is just 30 minutes away from San Jose International Airport. The reviews of this place are awesome and you won’t be disappointed.  West Cliff Inn, A Four Sisters Inn is another great place that your dog is certain to enjoy. For activities and attractions Santa Crux has it covered, they have a wide range of dog parks that dogs of all sizes will love. Twin Lakes State Beach is amazing and your dog will adore it. You will have to keep your dog on leash though. For refreshments you have a great choice available to you as Santa Cruz boasts 19 dog friendly restaurants along with coffee shops, bars and cafes.

10. Monterey

For dog friendly vacation ideas California, Monterey completes our list. This place is just awesome and you and your best friend are guaranteed to love it. They love their dogs here and cater for all their needs. Monterey has 17 pet friendly hotels that you and your pooch will adore. Monterey Tides Resort is amazing and has some excellent ratings. You get to enjoy stunning sea views and can enjoy the laid back lifestyle. For activities Monterey doesn’t disappoint it has 12 dog friendly attractions including beaches, dog parks and you can also take your best friend sailing with you. There are 26 dog friendly restaurants in Monterey where you can dine on great food and enjoy cool drinks after a long day sightseeing. For dog friendly vacation ideas California, it doesn’t get better than this.

Final Thoughts

Well as you can see, there are some great places to take your best friend in California. They each thoroughly deserved to be on our list and they will each offer you everything you need for a great vacation with your dog. The hardest part will be choosing, they are all amazing and for dog friendly vacation ideas California, you definitely won’t beat these destinations.

About the Author: Julie Page first grew to love writing about pets and the pet industry in 2012 while penning a blog for a Canadian based company. She then discovered a lack of informative dog name websites when researching  cool dog names which fuelled her passion even more. When Julie isn’t writing she is on an adventure, or at the very least plotting her next one.