Travel writer CeliaSue Hecht highlights another one of the best vacation spots on the west coast for people who like to travel with man's best friend.
(MENDOCINO ) - Gotta getaway for the holidays with Fido and Fluffy without breaking the bank? Try pet friendly Mendocino.There is fun in them thar verdant rolling hills plus the pooch pounding surf of the Pacific ocean.
Quaint Victorian inns, spa resorts, turn key rental properties, hotels, motels, and everything in between offer a variety of affordable options for a dog friendly retreat.
It's no wonder that Mendocino has long been a favorite spot since the ways to recharge and rekindle are almost limitless in this peaceful paradise 90 miles North of the Bay Area.
Canoeing and kayaking, horseback rides on the beach, browsing in art galleries, wine tasting and fabulous dining, hiking and walks underneath ancient Redwoods, Mendocino has activities for everyone at old fashioned prices that are doggone bound to please. Mendocino County, California, it's not just for couples anymore.
Here are just a few of the top 12 pet friendly activities that are offered in Mendocino County:
l. Tiptoe through the Botanical gardens
Between the tulips and other flowers, (over 150 varieties), Fido will enjoy a nice stroll with you to the beach. Well-mannered dogs on leashes are always welcome and enjoy free admission.
2. Beach romp (Noyo Harbor or a private beach)... most beaches are dog friendly and dogs have to be on leash.
Dogs love to splash and do the doggie paddle in the ocean. And Mendocino County's coastline has an abundance of places for them to swim.
Big River Beach, N. Big River Road, Mendocino
Portuguese Beach, Mendocino Headlands, Mendocino
Van Damme State Beach, Highway 1, Mendocino
Caspar Beach, 14441 Point Cabrillo Dr., Caspar
MacKerricher State Park, Highway 1, Fort Bragg
And for an extended stay, you can also camp out with Fido.
California State Parks Camping Reservations: 1-800-444-PARK (7275)
With nearly 100 miles of coastline and dozens of state and private campgrounds, finding a place to camp on the Mendocino Coast is not difficult. The most popular state parks are MacKerricher (Fort Bragg) and Russian Gulch (Mendocino) and Van Damme (Little River).
3. Take a hike.
Jughandle State Reserve features a 2½-mile self-guided nature trail called the Ecological Staircase. Starting by the ocean, this trail goes inland up a series of five ancient terraces formed by waves, glacier, and tectonic activity. Each terrace was uplifted from the sea about 100,000 years after the previous was raised. The lowest terrace is prairie, followed by a pine forest, then a redwood forest, and finally a pygmy forest with knee-high trees that are decades old. The trail features an amazing variety of trees, since the ecologies of the different terraces vary widely.
Three miles south of Fort Bragg. Turn west off Highway One into the well-marked parking area. 707-937-5804
4. Get a free ice cream cone for your mutt at Cowlick's ice cream
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream. And Fido may also enjoy a sweet vanilla kiddie cuppa coolness on a sunny day.
5. Stroll the shops in Mendocino and buy some doggie perfume.
After all the rolling, licking and splashing in the water and mud and sand, you may want to get some doggie perfume for Fido. Mendocino has many enjoyable gift shops and places where Furshionistas prefer to shop such as Sallie Mac.
And there are numerous pet supply shops such as Paws for Cats & Dogs, 338 N. Main St., Fort Bragg, 707-964-3322, Fort Bragg Feed & Pet, 880 Stewart St., Fort Bragg, 707-964-3333, and Evergreen Barn Pet Grocery, 477 Evergreen St., Mendocino, 707-937-3300.
6. Stay at a dog friendly inn such as: Agate Cove Inn, Little River Inn, MacCallum House Inn, Cottages at Little River Cove, Stanford Inn, Dehaven B&B and the Blair House (where the TV series Murder She Wrote was filmed). The pet friendliest lodging can be found at these inns.
Agate Cove Inn offers lovely ocean views via webcam on their website and gorgeous gardens… across from Agate beach, perfect for rock hounds of all ages. Each of the rooms is named after rocks, crystals and gemstones such as diamond, garnet, obsidian, amber, jasper, emerald… receive a special discount, November - May 31 Sunday through Thursday stay only (holidays excluded)… you will receive 20% off the regular rate. No minimum stay required. When you register, just mention "Celia Sue" for the special rate.
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