Thousands of people spend their vacations swimming, sunning and surfing at the beach each year. For animal lovers who want to take their dog on vacation, several of the country's top beach destinations not only welcome pets, but really roll out the red carpet for man's best friend.
San Diego, California's second largest city, is home to the nationally famous "Dog Beach at Ocean Beach," the first official leash-free beach in the nation. On any given day, hundreds of dogs and their owners frolic in the Southern California surf. A short drive in any direction yields a number of lower-key beaches, top-rated for both two-legged and four-legged visitors, among them Fiesta Island, Del Mar and Coronado Island. A wide-range of hotels in the San Diego area accommodate pets, including the luxurious Hotel Solamar in the heart of the gaslamp district. This hotel's "Very Important Pet" program offers treats at check-in, a dog bed and bowls, as well as access to a pet communicator, masseuse and dog walker. At the nearby San Diego Padre's Petco Park, people and their pets can picnic at "Park at the Park" on non-game days.
With miles of white, sandy beaches, the Gulf Coast city of Fort Myers is a favorite beach destination. Dogs are allowed on all beaches, but must be leashed, except at the famous "Dog Beach" at the south end of Lovers Key. Over there dogs and their owners can play freely in the surf or participate in the monthly "Kayak with Canine" course. The nearby Barkingham Park features a 1.5-acre off-leash park with a separate area for puppies, shy or small dogs, as well as on-leash trails, watering holes and a cool-off doggie shower. A number of Fort Myer's restaurants encourage patrons to dine alfresco with their hounds, including Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill, the Veranda and Bistro 41. Popular chain hotels such as the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Best Western and La Quinta, offer pet-friendly lodging. Fees vary by property.
Off the southern coast of Cape Cod, the whaling settlements of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard offer a multitude of activities for visitors and their pets. Several hotels and inns, as well as an array of vacation rentals, offer pet friendly accommodations. Public beaches on both islands restrict hours for dogs during the summertime. On Martha's Vineyard, visit the quaint, historic hamlet of Edgartown. The Victoria Inn, a restored whaling captain's home, will accommodate up to two dogs for a nominal fee of $10 per stay. The inn is a short hike to the Edgartown lighthouse, which allows leashed pets. On Nantucket, The Cottages at Boat Basin offer pet-friendly "woof cottages." Special amenities include a welcome basket of pet treats, a therapy dog bed, water and food bowls. A concierge can arrange dog walking services or a canine massage. A non-refundable $60 pet fee is required, 10 percent of which is donated to the Nantucket SPCA. Dogs are not strangers to Nantucket's cobbled Main Street, nor are they restricted from the island's NTRA beach shuttle.
Consider renting one of the 50 pet friendly vacation homes in the popular resort town of Duck on North Carolina's Outer Banks, a chain of narrow barrier islands off the northeast coast. Many of these rental properties have ocean front access, which is ideal as dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach, year round. Named a dog-friendly beach town with good reason, leashed dogs are welcome in the town park, where a special, low-to-the-ground doggie fountain caters to their hydration needs. Dogs are even welcome to walk alongside their master in the town's annual 4th of July parade. Contact the town's Public Safety Office for a complimentary "Safe Pet Vacation Kit," assembled for visitors by the Dare County SPCA. Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a two-hour drive to the southern tip of the Outer Banks, is worth a day's trip. Ranked one of the top 10 U.S. beaches by the Travel Channel, Hatteras's miles of uninterrupted beaches are accessible to leashed dogs, year round.
