It’s no surprise that California has gone to the dogs. After all, if the Golden State had a temperament, it would be characteristic of Fido - warm, welcoming, good natured and eager to have a good time. But rolling out the California welcome mat for four-legged friends is also a wise business decision.

According to the Travel Industry Association of America, Fido, as well as Fluffy, are popular travel companions, with 14 percent of all U.S. adults (that’s 29.1 million) traveling with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more, one-way, in the last three years.

“Catering to travelers with pets makes sense,” said Executive Director Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC). “Especially since half of the U.S. population are pet owners. In addition to offering pet-friendly lodging, California regions offer activities, parks, as well as critical care centers all designed to keep traveling pets happy, healthy and safe.”

Dogs visiting Carmel on the Central Coast Region are well treated because many of the city’s hotels, shops and galleries welcome canines with dog biscuits and special doggie menus at outside restaurants. The recently renovated Carmel Plaza shopping center even boasts the “Fountain of Woof,” a designated “dogs only” drinking fountain. At the Cypress Inn, co-owned by legendary film star Doris Day, man’s best friend is the guest of honor with doggie blankets and evening turndown service and treats. At the Carmel River Inn, pets are accepted in all of the property’s cozy cottages. The Forge in the Forest, a favorite restaurant among local residents, offers the Dog Pound menu. At Porta Bella waiters bring pups water in a champagne bucket. Carmel has its own city-sponsored dog calendar, and visitors can walk their dogs unleashed at Carmel Beach. Last year, more than 300 dogs showed up for the casting call at Carmel Beach, lining up for nearly a quarter mile. The Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria, just six miles south of Hearst Castle, is perfect for pets with its 26 acres that feature gardens, native plant pathway and outdoor fire pit gazebos.

Dog Fancy Magazine named San Diego, part of the San Diego County Region, the 2007 winner of DogTownUSA for its myriad of dog-friendly activities, restaurants and businesses, as well as its dog parks, critical-care facilities, pro-dog legislation and vet-pet ratio. Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa in Coronado extends its hospitality to family pets with the Su’ruff Camp, where man’s best friend dons board shorts for surfing lessons with the Coronado Surfing Academy at the local dog beach. In Del Mar and Carlsbad, Dexter’s Deli offers a health food store for dogs and cats, specializing in natural and raw food diets. Tag for Dogs and Cats, located in Hillcrest, is a high-end pet accessory emporium.

Viceroy Palm Springs in Palm Springs, part of the Desert Region, has been updated to reflect the Hollywood Regency style popular during the desert’s original glamour era, and welcomes four-legged friends at its villas. Dogs are treated like royalty and receive a personalized take-home dog dish, freshly baked dog biscuits and a personalized “welcome” card from the general manger. Four luxury-cooling pools, dotted around the property, allow pooches to recline and relax. Also in Palm Springs, the plush Hotel Zoso welcomes dogs with a Pampered Pooch Package that includes a “shag bag” upon arrival with treats and discounts at nearby pet retailers, such as Chilly Dog Collars, In the Doghouse, Bones-n-Scones and the Cold Nose Warm Heart. Special doggie “Yappy Hours” are held at the property Fridays from 4 to 5 p.m.

In the Inland Empire Region, Big Bear Lake is considered one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the country. Most of the lodging properties in this alpine town welcome pets with dogs and cats being the most common guests, including the Timberline Lodge just steps away from Big Bear’s Village. At Lake Arrowhead, the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa provides doggie blankets and treats. During the winter months, many pets visiting the area get a chance to experience snow for the first time.

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area Region, the Fairmont San Jose in San Jose offers a special pet menu, including its freshly baked Barkaroo Bakery treats approved by the USDA. Pet amenities also include a special pet basket and mattress, a squeaky rubber toy and a small brochure where guests can take their dogs for a “Bark in the Park” walk, as well as complimentary use of the hotel’s HP digital camera and printer to turn moments into memories. In Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz State Parks offer many trails through old growth coastal redwood trees, as well as scenic state beaches – all for pets. The Hilton Santa Cruz in Scotts Valley offers a special pet package for dogs which includes accommodations, special gift and a pet-lovers newsletter. Santa Cruz County is also home to pet massage therapists, animal acupuncturists and chiropractors, as well as “animal communicators” that can tell you what your pet is thinking. For off-leash parks, extensive beach access and a variety of pet-welcoming properties, travelers should also consider San Mateo County for their next vacation. The Hotel Monaco in San Francisco even offers a pet goldfish when guests check in to provide an extra touch of welcome, whimsy and relaxation to their rooms. 

Beverly Hills, in the Los Angeles County Region, is home to a bevy of pet services. At the Avalon Hotel of Beverly Hills, small dogs can stay in the luxury Canon Villa, home to 15 apartment rentals (2,000 square feet each), many with private patios, formal dining rooms and gourmet kitchens. Dogs are almost mandatory when it comes to shopping, and The Grove (an upscale, dog-friendly shopping and entertainment center) in Los Angeles, as well as Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills and the Belmont Shore district of Long Beach welcome pampered pups. Dogs need high fashion too, and The Wagging Tail in Santa Monica provides some of the best canine couture for precious pooches. Pets can take in the Hollywood limelight at the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, where Lassie, Kermit the Frog and Godzilla have stars. Travelers looking to soak up that famous California sunshine can play on Leo Carrillo State Beach, north of Malibu, or sniff out nature in Pacific Palisades’ 186-acre Will Rogers State Historic Park. Long Beach boasts an active calendar of pet events, including parades and beauty contests. The Pet Spa & Salon in West Hollywood offers the “lap of luxury” with services ranging from manicures to oatmeal shampoos and pet massage.

Vacationing with your pet in the North Coast Region is a delight for both owners and canines. The sights, sounds and smells of this coastal paradise, stimulate pets and there is no lack of activities to “emBark” upon. Dogs can accompany travelers while they sport fish or whale watch aboard All Aboard Adventures and Anchor Charter Boats in Fort Bragg. Also in Fort Bragg, dogs can run leash free at Noyo Beach, off Noyo Drive and Highway 1. Pet-friendly lodging choices run from quaint bed and breakfast inns to vacation homes, and include Abigail’s Bed and Breakfast and the Sweetwater Spa and Inn in Mendocino, as well as the Auberge Mendocino and the Little River Inn - both in Little River. At Tappen Hill, a kennel tucked among the green hills of Sebastopol, dogs enjoy grassy, lawn play areas, climbing structures, and tunnels and in-ground swimming pools (one specifically designed for swim therapy).

Yosemite-bound visitors traveling with their pets will enjoy the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal and the Groveland Hotel in Groveland, both located in the High Sierra Region, which offer comfy pet beds and gourmet dog treats. Two Dogs and A Cat in South Lake Tahoe, Dog.Dog.Cat in the Village at Northstar and Scraps Dog Bakery in Tahoe City and Kings Beach provide fashionable toys and clothing. Tahoe City Kayak offers special kayaks and dog-specific life vest so visitors and their pooches can explore via the water. Tails by the Lake at The Village at Squaw Valley has an array of dog accoutrements and hosts annual “Yappy Hour” every Friday from July through Labor Day. For lodging, Tahoe Moon Properties has more than 50 homes that are dog friendly, including cozy cabins and lake view homes. Tails are wagging in Bishop, where pet-friendly lodging properties are plentiful, such as the Best Western Holiday Spa Lodge. 

In the Orange County Region, visitors play with their pooch along beautiful beaches, including the nearly mile-long Huntington Dog Beach, a favorite with local residents. Located across the street from the beach, the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach is an ideal location for those traveling with pets. At the pet-friendly Casa Laguna Inn and Spa in Laguna Beach, pooch pampering is taken to the extreme with a certified equine and canine massage therapist now offering massage in relaxation, pain and anxiety relief and increased stamina.

In the Shasta Cascade Region, Plumas County offers dozens of pet-friendly accommodations and hundreds of miles of hiking trails where dogs can run leash-free. At the Gray Eagle Lodge in Graeagle, dogs enjoy a nearby mountain stream in addition to the trails and alpine lakes. The property, with its outside amphitheater and waterfall view, is also ideal for those that are getting married and want their pet in attendance. In Redding, the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park and the Sundial Bridge both welcome dogs.

Both the Central Valley and Gold Country Regions are home to a host of pet-friendly accommodations. Most unique is Greenstone Ranch in Angels Camp, a vacation home that also provides accommodations for up to six horses. Travelers can explore the property’s 800 acres or another 1,700 acres on a nearby ranch. There is the University Park Inn and Suites and Davis Inn in Davis, the Sheraton Grand Sacramento in Sacramento and Sister’s Cottage in Sierra City – and all welcome pets.

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