Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

7 incredible dog-friendly places in California to take your pet this fall

By

Road trip! You probably don’t have to say that twice to get an enthusiastic reaction from your family — or the family dog. No matter if you spend a few hours in a neighboring town or pack for a weekend adventure, exploring new places with the family is a great way to recharge as well as make new memories.

And thanks to a recent rise in pet-friendly tourism, you don’t always have to leave your dog at home when you go. If you’re looking for a little West Coast fun for the family this fall, these dog-friendly places in California are fantastic to visit with your pet.

jack russell surfing wearing lei
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dog-friendly beaches

Headed to the beach? Why not pick one your dog can enjoy, too? Here are just a few of our favorites:

  • Huntington Beach Dog Beach is open every day of the year from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Amenities include public restrooms (for human family members), handicap-access ramps, grassy picnic areas, and drinking fountains for both dogs and their humans. They even provide doggie waste bags so you can pick up after your pet. Dogs can run unleashed on the sand but need to be on a leash in all other areas.
  • Coronado Beach and Dog Park is located directly across from Sunset Park on Ocean Boulevard. Your dog will have the time of his life romping on the beach while you take in the amazing scenery. Point Loma, a seaside community, is visible on your right, while the rightfully renowned Hotel del Coronado, famous for hosting celebrities, presidents, and royalty since it opened in 1888, is on your left.
  • Rosie’s Dog Beach on Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach is open between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. every day. Waste bags are available in receptacles dotted throughout the 4-acre beach for those who forget to bring their own. As the only off-leash dog beach in the county, there is no fence, and the posted hours for dog play are strictly enforced.
Recommended Videos

Santa Barbara

After spending a weekend in Santa Barbara, your dog may want to move there permanently! In addition to dog-friendly beaches, there are a variety of parks, trails, wineries, and hotels that welcome your four-legged family member.

For a real treat, book a “Bed and Biscuit” stay at SAM’s Doggie Dude Ranch, where your dog can romp in the water trough, chase squirrels, or find a place to lounge in the 1-acre fenced-in compound while the rest of the family finds their own fun.

yellow dog on black suitcase
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Avenue of the Giants

Won’t it be fun to see the look on your dog’s face when he gets an eyeful of one of these giant redwoods? This 31-mile section of old Highway 101 in Humboldt County is filled with opportunities for your entire family.

One of the attractions is the Chandelier Drive Thru Tree Park in Leggett, where you can actually drive your car (smaller than an SUV) through a giant redwood. The park also includes a picnic area and 250 miles of dog-friendly hiking trails, where your pup can “investigate” one of these big trees up close and personal.

Dog-friendly wineries in Napa

Wine aficionados who have Napa Valley on their bucket list needn’t leave their dog at home when they visit. In addition to many pet-friendly hotels in the area, several wineries welcome four-legged furry guests.

  • Black Stallion Winery, a family business that dates back to 1924, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. During summer months, dogs are welcome on their terrace, where they offer a variety of seated tastings.
  • Chimney Rock Winery is a destination for many cabernet sauvignon lovers as it’s one of the few wineries that produces all Stags Leap District estate-grown cabernets. Your leashed dog is welcome on the patio, inside the tasting room, and on your stroll through the estate. They even provide dog bowls with water so your pup can conduct his own (water) tasting.

We’ve only scratched the surface of dog-friendly places you can visit in California. If you’re interested in exploring other parts of the state, simply search online for dog-friendly accommodations in the area you want to visit. You’ll find plenty.

One thing: Be sure to check on availability before you make final reservations. All policies are subject to change, including pet policies. A quick confirmation call before you leave can be the difference between disappointment and a fun-filled, West Coast vacation for the entire family.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Debbie Clason
Debbie Clason
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Debbie Clason's work has appeared in Family Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The Lutheran Witness, Massage Magazine…
5 reasons you really need to get a dog car seat
Safety first: Why you'll want to invest in a dog car seat (or similar product)
A French bulldog in front of car

The image of a dog with their head out the window — tongue out and ears blowing in the breeze — is classic. Whether they're getting an unpleasant surprise (a vet appointment) or joining their pet parent on a visit to the park or cross-country road trip, the dog is happy in the moment. Is the precious cargo safe, though?

Not to scare or shame you, but no. The best way to keep your beloved pet safe is in a dog car seat or similar product. The idea may seem like helicopter pet parenting. However, for several reasons, you'll want to strongly consider a dog car seat or another product that keeps the dog safe and secure en route to a destination.
Why you'll want to invest in a dog car seat

Read more
How many dog breeds are there, really?
Knowing about your dog's breed can help in their care
A woman outside sits with a pack of dogs

It frequently amazes humans how much our dogs seem to understand and respond to us. Some part of this likely lies in the distant past when dogs chose us to be their companions. But a lot of it stems from selective breeding that has taken place over thousands of years.

More recently, our pets fall so neatly into different breeds because we chose specific characteristics that exist across a specific type of dog. For example, you'll recognize the coat and stature of a German shepherd from 100 feet away and likely instantly identify the yap of a Chihuahua without even seeing them. The question is then, how many dog breeds are there? We'll take you through the details.
What is a purebred dog?

Read more
50 amazing boy dog names to consider for your new puppy
Find your puppy the perfect moniker with these aesthetic male names
A yellow Lab puppy wearing a blue collar looks up

So, you're bringing home a new puppy. Congratulations! Preparing to add four more paws to your family can be one of the most exciting and joyful things you'll ever do, but there are also a lot of decisions to be made. What food will they eat? Where will they sleep? And perhaps most importantly -- what will their name be?

While things like dog beds and collars can be replaced over time, your dog's name will be around forever. Because of this, it's perfectly understandable to feel overwhelmed by this decision. After all, the options are quite literally endless.

Read more