Top 15 Dog-friendly Vacations

You can take your best pal with you on these getaways around the West.

Long Beach, WA

Dogs have the run of the town's beach, but on packed sand-so do cars. The boardwalk (Bolstad Ave.) and the 8.3-mile-long paved Discovery Trail (26th St. N.W.) are car-free and dog-friendly (on-leash)

Stanford Inn by the Sea, Mendocino, CA

Rooms laid with white bedspreads and end tables with slender mahogany legs, feels classically grown-up, not "proofed" for anything. The Stanford Inn by the Sea and many local Mendocino parks, restaurants, and other businesses, go way beyond merely allowing dogs. They welcome them, and their canine quirks, openly. Pups get "welcome kits" upon arrival: a housemade sweet-potato treat tied in a white ribbon, water and food dishes, an ample stack of plastic bags, and two fresh sheets.

Cannon Beach, OR

It's easy for a hotel, shop, or outdoor cafe to accommodate pocket pooches and handbag hounds, but big, bear-like breeds? That's a different story. Cannon Beach, an enchanting little cedar-shaked town, is up to the task, with abundant pet-friendly hotels and eateries where dogs are welcome at outdoor tables. For a fun frolic with your pooch, head for the secluded northernmost stretch of Cannon Beach, across the knee-deep mouth of Ecola Creek.

Lincoln City, OR

The 7.5 miles of beach at Lincoln City have a firm leash law, but bring your hound with you to hunt for a souvenir glass float from local glassblowing studios; volunteers hide the baubles above the tide line

Carmel, CA

Welcome to Monterey Bay's pooch paradise. Centrally located Carmel City Beach has delightfully soft sand and refreshingly few land mines-poop bags are provided. Scenic Rd. from Ocean Ave. to Martin Way

Cambria, CA

Hike with your dog at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve (bluff trail on-leash; others off-leash).

Morro Bay, CA

Head to the northern strip of Morro Strand State Beach.

Coronado Island, CA

Coronado Dog Beach (200 Ocean Blvd.) is a treat for your pet. What's more, Your dog can ride the waves at the Su-Ruff Camp hosted by Loews Coronado Bay Resort, 20 minutes south of San Diego. The Su-Ruff pakage gets you a deluxe room, doggie board shorts or bandana, "surf & turf" room service for Fido, and a dog surfing lesson with instructors from Coronado Surfing Academy. Not a hotel guest? Lessons for dogs are available by the hour ($40).

Los Angeles, CA

If you want to hit the ultimate A-list dog run, head to Laurel Canyon Park-3 tree-lined acres in the Santa Monica Mountains where pedigreed boxers and poodles mingle off-leash with equally wellgroomed owners: Orlando Bloom, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Reese Witherspoon have been spotted here.

Orcas Island, WA

After (on-leash) hiking in Turtleback Mountain Preserve, swimming the cool waters of North Beach, and romping in Eastsound's off-leash dog park, your pup will learn to love the sight of the island ferry (dogs ride free)

Near Tucson, AZ

Give your dog a break from the heat. Head to the oak-shaded trails of Madera Canyon 40 miles south of Tucson. In the morning, dog in tow, stroll the 1.8-mile round-trip Bog Springs Trail; it's wildflower-flush during late summer's monsoon season.

Santa Barbara, CA

A private rock-rimmed wading pool. Camp Run-a-Muk day camp. It's all at the Hearst Castle of kennels, Camp Canine. While you're out enjoying Santa Barbara's pleasures, rest assured your dog is having a good time too. Maybe a better time.

Petaluma, CA

Play: If you have a shepherd, that shepherd wants to herd. Only problem is that you don't own sheep, which is why Spot's best vacation ever will be at Dairydell Canine. Seasoned sheepdog handler Frank Souza can coax even city shepherds into focused farm dogs-at least for a few minutes.

Walla Walla, WA

At funky, dog-friendly Dunham Cellars, two wines are named for dogs: The "Three Legged Red" ($19) is a meaty red blend; the "Four Legged White" ($14) is a lush, balanced Riesling ($5 tasting fee).

San Francisco, CA

Knockout views. Appealing mix of people. Good coffee. Crissy Field at Golden Gate National Recreation Area gives you everything you love about San Francisco in one scenic package. A historic Army airfield transformed into a native plant-lined beach oasis, Crissy draws dog walkers, joggers with strollers, kitesurfers, picnickers, cyclists, fishermen, and 8-year-olds letting the cool bay water lap their toes. All this and the Golden Gate Bridge looming gracefully.

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