Best Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast – In this post, I want to list the most dog-friendly places in the West, focusing on California and Oregon, two states where you can easily travel with your pet (I know, because I travel here all the time. I would like to check them out). ! Within these states, I wanted to find places that went above and beyond dog-friendly: that is, lots of dog parks or dog-friendly beaches, great pet-friendly hotels, and the vibe of the city. Easy to bring on your travel adventures. And I found great places in California like Bend, Oregon and Carmel…among many others. Join me and my dog Dylan as we explore the “Dog Friendly Places on the West Coast”!
While my only beach destination in Oregon is Cannon Beach, please note: almost all beaches in Oregon are dog-friendly and have fewer rules and restrictions than California beaches! Translation: The Oregon Coast is top dog hiking territory. Photo of Gold Beach, Oregon.
Best Dog Friendly Vacations West Coast
I love Cannon Beach for several reasons: the charming town, tons of great restaurants, coffee shops (Sleepy Monk!!), many first-class hotels that accept pets, and of course: the beach, which is 100% pet-friendly. no rent required!! Oregon is much more relaxed about this than California. And the views of Haystack Rock will amaze you, especially at sunset. Walk your dog along Pacific Avenue, grab a bowl of soup at one of the many outdoor patios, and be sure to stop by the pet shop around the corner: Love Puppy by the Sea.
The Best Dog Friendly Beaches In The Uk
*** My pick for the best pet-friendly hotels in Cannon Beach: This is a tie between Ocean Lodge and Surfsand Resort. Both are luxury beachfront hotels and are pet-friendly. Ocean Lodge rooms are bigger and take better advantage of the view ~ but Surfsand is close to town and Haystack Rock, the rooms are comfortable, and the Wayfarer Restaurant is my favorite place in town (and offers room service)…
Bend is where I currently live in the United States, and to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever lived anywhere that accepts pets. The number of incredible dog parks in Bend alone puts California’s dog parks to shame, and every restaurant in town is dog-friendly, including: St. Francis McMenamin School (which is a pub, brewery, movie theater, concerts, cigars) bar and hotel, all housed in a former Catholic school), Bare Wine, Avid Cider, Crux Brewing, 10 Barrel…..and the list goes on… and on.
Bend has more dog-friendly parks, hotels, and restaurants per capita than any other city on this list! Dylan’s Bend Center is featured on the famous Deschutes River Trail.
*** My pick for the best pet friendly hotels in Bend: Tethro Golf Resort. At Tetro, you’ll find luxury golf resort accommodations with beautiful mountain views ~ and only 5 minutes from downtown Bend and the famous Old Mill District. This is one of the best places to stay with pets in the city. Otherwise, head to Sunriver Resort, about 20 minutes south of Bend: it’s one of the best family vacation spots in the US.
The Best Dog Friendly Hotels In The U.s
Carmel’s main beach is my favorite dog-friendly and backpacking beach in the world: Great Beach is on the right, and if you follow the crescent-shaped beach on the left, you’ll see cypress trees. You build all kinds of multi-million dollar homes…from quaint cottage homes to state-of-the-art modern homes. There’s a reason Clint Eastwood lives here: there’s something special about Carmel.
And this city loves dogs: they are welcome everywhere ~ but I especially love Forge with its cozy outdoor patio in the middle of the forest, with a special menu for dogs…
Carmel isn’t the only place on Monterey Bay with amazing ocean views: head to Pacific Grove and stroll along the beach for views…
*** My top pick for a dog-friendly hotel in Carmel: The Lodge at Pebble Beach. Yes, it’s expensive~ but according to my parents and the helpful doorbell: all rooms here are pet-friendly! And you can bring any dog you want. For a more affordable option in Carmel, try Doris Day’s dog-friendly Cypress Inn.
Dog Friendly Campsites On California Beaches
I grew up in Orange County and last week I visited the new outdoor center, Huntington Beach, in Pacific City. I had Dylan with me when I was going home for Christmas ~ which meant I got to take him to the mall with me… and boy was I surprised how pet friendly it was! The upscale shop invited us home, had coffee with us, and we all had lunch on the Simzi deck overlooking the pier and the sea. I would go back in a heartbeat! And there’s another reason to visit Huntington with your dog: It’s the only beach in Orange County where dogs are allowed.
*** My top pick for a dog-friendly hotel in Huntington Beach: Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach. Kimptons are super cute and always dog-friendly…they even offer dog happy hours! It’s also especially romantic with a pale blue palette complete with ocean views ~ and you’re only a block away from the pier, Main Street and the ocean. And Huntington Dog Beach is just a few miles north…
San Diego has not one, but two dog-friendly beaches, and both are located in beautiful areas: Del Mar and Coronado. Dylan and I visited Del Mar Dog Beach just south of Encinitas last year. Although it is not as big as Carmel Beach: it is still amazing. There were happy dogs in and out of the water, people were quiet and friendly, and parking was easy, with lots located just down the street from the beach entrance. Coronado Dog Beach has white sand and is just steps away from the beloved historic Hotel del Coronado.
Coronado Dog Beach is one of the best places in Southern California to play with your dog on the sand.
Pet Friendly Vacations
*** My Top Picks for Dog Friendly Hotels in San Diego: San Diego is big, so it depends on where you want to be. For North County, check out L’Auberge Del Mar, which accepts two dogs of any size. If you’re in the Gaslamp downtown, check out the trendy Indigo Hotel with its rooftop bar. And if you want to be close to Coronado’s touristy beach, stay at the Hotel del Coronado ~ it has three pet-friendly restaurants! (Dogs up to 40 pounds only at Dale…)
That wraps up my picks for the best dog-friendly destinations on the West Coast! One thing I’d like to add: most travel articles I’ve read lately are about AI or AI. It appears to have been written OR by distant editors who haven’t actually visited the places they recommend. Rest assured: I visited every place on this list last year, so my recommendations are timely and relevant for 2020 and beyond!
I’ve been traveling between California and Oregon with Dylan every year since 2010 – so all of these places are places that I actually go to and look forward to going back to every year. From water bowls outside downtown stores to designated outdoor park areas, Washington is the perfect place for dogs to hang out. Many destinations enthusiastically welcome dogs of all shapes and sizes. You’ll find that leashed dogs are welcome on many trails in state and county parks, and countless breweries and restaurants offer pet-friendly accommodations. When traveling with your canine companions, you’ll also find plenty of accommodation options to choose from.
Know before you go: Starting August 1, 2024, those entering the US with dogs must complete the CDC’s Dog Import Form. The dog must also meet new CDC requirements, including being at least 6 months old and healthy upon arrival. Read the full requirements here.
Dog Friendly Tofino
Seattle, Washington’s largest city, is dog-crazy, with welcoming parks, an impressive selection of breweries, and restaurants. Many of the city’s green spaces have open spaces, including Magnuson Park, Golden Gardens Park, and Denny Park. City kids and their owners can also enjoy world-class art in the outdoor Olympic Sculpture Park. The 9-acre park has a waterfront location in Elliot Bay and features monumental artwork.
While there are many pet-friendly restaurants, the neighborhoods on the north side of the Lake Washington Boat Channel are popular for Fido’s friends. Hangouts like Mean Sandwich and Reuben’s Brews in Ballard and Norm’s Kitchen & Bar in Fremont are popular options. And a little north, overlooking the shores of the Green Lagoon, Bongo’s has a casual beach atmosphere, a pet-friendly playground with games and delicious Caribbean cuisine.
Among the city’s many hotels that welcome four-legged guests, three Kimpton properties have long been leaders in friendly hospitality. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle welcomes dogs of all breeds and sizes with water bowls, pet beds and treats, and the concierge can arrange dog sitting and dog walking.
Spokane’s vibrant and historic downtown is anchored by one of the best urban green spaces for animals in the state: Riverfront Park. Built for the Reh Expo ’74, this 100-acre urban oasis features bridges and walkways overlooking dramatic Spokane Falls, perfect for hiking with your dog. Close to Kendal Yards Night Market (held on Wednesdays from mid-May to September)
