Traveling with your dog has become more and more convenient these days with an abundance of dog friendly hotels and restaurants to friendlier airline polices and airports who provide more than just a patch of grass.
Vacations with your pet can be really fun if you know where to go. Most major cities nowadays have big dog parks where your pooch can run around and play leash-free. Pet friendly hotels in cities like Orlando allow you to stay with your pet overnight, and our country's many parks and hiking trails like those in Atlanta are great ways for you and your pet to get some exercise while on vacation. Check out the following pet friendly vacation ideas!
Pismo State Beach
Located in California within San Luis Obispo county, mid-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Pismo Beach is a great little seaside town with a cool climate and a beautiful dog friendly State Beach, making it one of our perfect weekend getaways. A must-stop while on a trek to either Northern or Southern California, Pismo State Beach, located at Grand Avenue, offers a wide stretch of sand for your leashed pal to enjoy. Or if he is the adventuring type, you might want to blaze the Oceano Sand Dunes. Pismo Beach City Beach is also a dog friendly beach. No city boasts as many dog parks as San Diego, and that’s what makes the beachy metropolis a favorite vacation spot for pets and their owners. Check out Dog Beach, where you and your dog can splash around without a leash! Consider renting a kayak for you and Rover to take out to sea, too. After a long day in the sun, you'll work up an appetite – it's easy to find an outdoor restaurant where you and your dog can enjoy a quiet meal together.
San Diego California
No city boasts as many dog parks as San Diego, and that’s what makes the beachy metropolis a favorite vacation spot for pets and their owners. Check out Dog Beach, where you and your dog can splash around without a leash! Consider renting a kayak for you and Rover to take out to sea, too. After a long day in the sun, you'll work up an appetite – it's easy to find an outdoor restaurant where you and your dog can enjoy a quiet meal together.
Cambria in Central California
Cambria, a cute village in central California, is four hours (240 miles) north of Los Angeles off scenic Highway One. This oceanfront retreat is dog-friendly and a great weekend getaway with your furry best friend. There’s plenty to do with your dog in Cambria, whether you want to bring your dog along on a walk, go to the beach or enjoy a safe, enclosed dog park there are a plethora of choices in Cambria. The town itself is unofficially divided into three parts: the historic center with cafes, bars, shops and restaurants along Main St; the newer center, also on Main St, and called “Cambria West,” and the motel-lined Moonstone Beach. Any walk along the beach, is usually a favorite, but Cambria also has a myriad of hiking and walking trails to explore. At the start of trail heads are “mutt-mitts” to pick up after your dog. Your four-legged friend must be on a leash or under “effective voice control” at all times while hiking. The Cavalier Restaurant (located on the property of Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort) offers a picnic lunch to be made and packed up to enjoyed at the beach, on a hike, or perhaps on local winery grounds.
Yosemite National Park
Located in Central California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, you’ll find gorgeous panoramic views, alpine lakes, towering waterfalls, granite cliffs and natural splendor. Leashed pets are allowed on paved paths, anywhere on the Valley Floor, Happy Isles Nature Center and on the Pohono Bridge. Where to stay? The Tenaya Lodge is a beautiful pet friendly mountain resort found 2 miles from Yosemite National Park’s southern gate where your pal will be greeted with a plush dog bed, water bowl, doggie treats and a supply of disposable mitts. You’ll also receive a Canine Concierge Fact Sheet with fun suggestions on pet friendly areas to roam as well as all the doggie do’s and dont’s during your stay.
Southern Arizona
Southwest Arizona attracts visitors to its stark desert environment because of the mysterious beauty and free wildness. The weather can be harsh in the heat of the summer, but the area around Tucson and below is filled with arts and crafts treasures, with pueblo life, the Santa Rita Mountains, and several national parks. It is beautiful territory, with skiing, mountain-biking, hiking, horseback riding, tennis and even golf available around the area. Because so many people love to come here with their pets, a lot of places make special efforts to accommodate them. Amado Territory Inn goes all out to make visitors and their pets enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this 17-acre ranch. The amenities of this place are legion: western-themed rooms, all with private baths, and some with and patios or balconies. On the site are art galleries, gemstone galleries, and even a woodworking shop. In one area Dog Chefs of America teaches culinary rules for dog owners and operates the dog Park, where visitor's dogs can frolic with other canines!
Boulder Colorado
Boulder Colorado is known for rapid beauty and natural surroundings, that you and your dog will surely enjoy. Boulder has been rated to have the best parks and trails, and dogs are often welcome. Boulder has some great dog friendly parks such as East Boulder Trail Head, Baseline Dog Park, Foothills Community Dog Park and Valmont Dog Park.
Cape Cod Massachusetts
There’s plenty to do with your dog on Cape Cod. Whether you want to bring your dog along on a walk or bike ride, go to the beach or enjoy a safe, enclosed dog park there are choices on the Cape. There are a number dog friendly places, including dog parks, on Cape Cod. The Cape Cod National Seashore allows dogs to be exercised on the West and Sunset Horse Trails in the Provincelands or on the Head of the Meadow Bike Trail in Truro. Dogs are welcome at Jack Knife Harbor Beach, which is shared between North Chatham and Harwich, during the summer months. In Provincetown, beach access for dogs is from 6-9 am during the summer Eastham/Orleans – the Dyer Prince Road section of Rock Harbor beach is open for dogs before 8 am and after 5pm. There are two dog parks on the Cape, one in Dennis and one in Provincetown.
Seattle Washington
It’s easy to go sightseeing with your four-legged pal here. As long as a dog’s well-behaved and leashed, he or she is welcome on the bus and the ferry. Because Seattle appeals to city dwellers and outdoor lovers alike, it's an ideal dog friendly vacation spot. Sniff out the Space Needle, chow down at the Dining Dog Café and Bakery, play fetch at Sand Point Magnusun Park, and finally, fall asleep in your pet-friendly hotel. It will be the vacation you and your favorite canine have been dreaming about.
Oak Island North Carolina
Oak Island is a family destination offering many pet-friendly homes. A variety of activities are available in Oak Island that your pet (and the rest of your family) will love! Your dog will love taking a swim in the ocean or waterway or taking a walk on the beach. A variety of public parks and dockside walkways also welcome your four-legged friends. Though dogs are welcome on Oak Island and Caswell Beaches during any time of the day, there are leash laws that state all dogs must be on a leash at all times.
More Dog Friendly Vacation Spots
Dog Friendly Atlanta - Atlanta has a lot of beautiful green spaces, including Piedmont Park and the Silver Comet Trail. The city also has a number of restaurants and bars which allow your pet to join you with a bowl of water and some shade. Look through the ideas below to see how Atlanta goes out of its way to welcome you and your pets!
Dog Friendly Lodging in Orlando - Orlando is widely known to be a very kid friendly city - but did you know that it's a very pet friendly city as well? Vacations with your pet here are easy to plan, as there are many pet friendly hotels in the area. Save some money on boarding and take your pets with you to these great hotels.
Great Dog Parks in Texas - Texas is a pet friendly paradise! The state has a large number of wonderful dog parks you can visit on your vacation together. Some are near lakes, and all are off-leash, so your pet can run around and get plenty of exercise. Texas is a dog's life.
Find kid friendly parks too!