THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMMER...Vacations…Great Destinations to Visit With Your Dog

By Katy Cable / A 4 min read

​Moms and proms. Dad’s and grads, -its the season for celebrations and vacations. Most of us consider our pets family members and are excited if we can include them on getaways. In order to make it a fun, safe, memorable IN-A-GOOD-WAY vacay, here’s a few great tips and resources:

🐾Prior to making your vacation plans, have your pet examined by the vet. They can honestly evaluate how safe and prepared your pet is for traveling. Perhaps a short trip to a dog-friendly campsite is ideal rather than trying to take an elderly or fearful pup on a long airline flight to a new destination.

Whatever your plans and budget a few of my favorite dog travel resources I have found are: Dogfriendly.com and Bringfido.com These terrific websites & apps include all the resources you need to plan and enjoy an amazing vacation with your pet virtually anywhere in the world.

From the glamour of Bevely Hills, to the beautiful beaches it would be hard to find a better travel destination than right here in my own backyard of Southern California. Not many places offer the year-round excitement, diversity and options. There are many pet-friendly places to stay as well. One of my personal favorites is The Waterfront Hilton in Surf-City Huntington Beach. For a beach-dog, this is a perfect choice. It's extremely dog friendly right down to allowing them poolside. There's the famous dog beach directly across the street and plenty of dog-friendly dining and shopping right down the block at Pacific City.

After a sunny day playing in the salt water and sand, your pup can be royally pampered at one of my favorite pet spas and boutiques. Right there in Pacific City is Top Dog Barkery. I’ve held many fun events here and not only do they offer grooming, day-care and a private play area, but they have a beautiful retail boutique featuring the best and coolest dog products as well as a gourmet BARKERY with lavish treats. Tell the owner, Karen you heard about them here for a free gift.

Make a short drive north to Long Beach and visit me in my neck of the woods, Belmont Shore. There’s a huge, sandy dog beach with very gentle waves due to a breakwater. Also you’ll find easy parking for a minimal fee, restrooms, showers, (hoses to rinse pets) and drinking fountains. When you’re ready for a break, stroll up to Second Street and get your dog pampered and groomed with a blueberry scrub at Pussy and Pooch. This is another unbelievable destination for you and your pets. A full-service paw-bar serves up the best and healthiest fresh fare for your pup and you can enjoy shipping for the latest and most creative pet products anywhere. All along the street you’ll find pet-friendly restaurants with water bowls and patios. Our beaches are wonderful places to visit year-round, but after Labor Day rates go way down as do the crowds.

As luck would have it, some of my personal favorite dog friendly weekend getaways are just short car rides away. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is a beautiful, relaxing paradise for all of us. We enjoy long walks, popping our dog in the basket and going for bike rides, and then our pug Olive often joins us for al fresco meals. Olive has sat “shot-gun” in the cart while we go out golfing. She’s napped on an Adirondack chair at the driving range, taken 1000 steps hiking through lavender fields, posed for hundreds of beautiful Instagram pics or simply relaxed in the room while we hit the amazing spa or pool. Ojai Valley rolls out the welcome mat for dogs with a fresh baked welcome treat upon check-in as well as comfy beds and products just for your dog.

Although it can be far too sweltering hot during the summer, another favorite dog-friendly destination (November-May) is La Quinta Resort and Spa. I love the beautiful Spanish-architecture and historic grounds. The large casitas provide ample space and privacy for your pooch. La Quinta’s expansive property features numerous pools, world class golfing, tennis, and spa treatments. There are several quaint restaurants with patio dining and nearby you’ll find wonderful shopping destinations where everyone is happy to see a well-behaved dog.

If you want to escape the heat, head to the snow. I've have had some fun adventures right up in the local mountains. Playing in the snow is a perfect change of pace for my "beach-dog." Even during the summer months, you can get out on the lakes, or hike in the great outdoors and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Yes, I know these are 5⭐️, luxury resorts but if you check on HotelTonight you may land a great deal or swing a high-end luxury hotel for a lot less $$$ than a budget stay. Chances are better if you can wait until mid-week or go at less popular times.

​Plus, it seems to be my experience that the finer the hotel, the more responsive they are to pets. My dogs receive first-class treatment at many 5-Star resorts, yet they're forbidden from staying at most budget motels. In addition, I've noticed my canine was definitely cleaner, smarter and better-mannered than most the other guests at some of these haunts. -Well, RULES are RULES😜!

Should you find yourself in a situation where you want to enjoy an outing or overnight sans dog, I recommend visiting the sites listed or trying Doggie Day Camp or the PetsHotel at select PetSmart locations. A loving, trained staff offers excellent care at affordable prices and can be readily found throughout the nation.
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Try not to feel bad if you don't have the time, budget or adaptability to do a full-blown getaway with your canine, on my Homepage I have listed some fun local events going on. You can have a ball on a free "stay-cation" right in your own neck of the woods. Not from this area? Check your Vet's office, pet stores or social media for meet-ups and events where you live. -Or start your own.

​I would 💝💝💝💝 to see your fun getaway photos and to include them on this site. ️
​🐾🐾Happy Tails to you!🐾🐾 -Katy & Olive