Pets are a large part of our lives and many of us can't imagine taking a vacation without them. More and more hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues cater to the growing number of people who won't kennel Fido to take a vacation or just go out for a night on the town. Vacation packages designed to include pets are diverse, and in California they are constantly growing in number.
There's a vacation package on California's north coast in Mendocino that caters to pet lovers and wine lovers: The Pet-Friendly Wine Tour. Little River Inn provides a room for you and your pet that has a view of the ocean, and a personal guide that takes you and your pet to all the pet-friendly wineries in Anderson Valley. The package includes a knife, and fruit and cheese snack, packed to go for your wine tour picnic, and a port-a-bowl for your pet.
There's a list of 15 wineries that are pet friendly included in the tour. There are also pet-friendly restaurants to visit and a dog park and garden.
If you'd like some time away from your pet, pet-sitters are available at the hotel. To set up a pet-friendly wine tasting tour, call (888) inn-love.
Vacationing in South Lake Tahoe with a pet is so popular there's a book about it: "The Dog Lover's Guide to Lake Tahoe" by Susie Denison. But you don't have to buy the book, just visit petslovetahoe.com to find a list of pet-friendly lodgings in South Lake, as well as pet-friendly restaurants, beaches, parks, ski areas and hiking trails.
With the exception of an eagle habitat at Taylor Creek Sno Park, dogs may accompany skiers and hikers everywhere on a list of snow parks. The ski areas are designated beginner to advanced, and the hike trails, easy to strenuous so guests can know what they're getting their pets into.
San Francisco has 23 pet-friendly hotels; you'll have to check if the one you choose has pet services. The city offers a wide range of beaches, trails and parks, as well as the Castro Street Fair and Stonestown Farmers' Market.
Many places in San Francisco, such as Fisherman's Wharf, are outdoor environments for sightseeing tourists. Plan a cruise while you're there. The Red & White Fleet, Fisherman's Wharf Terminal Pier 43-1/2 has pet-friendly excursions available.
With 44 pet-friendly hotels, San Diego is great destination. And there are a wide variety of choices, from the four star Hotel Solama, which has pet sitting, grooming, walking and massage services, to the lower cost La Quinta Inns. There are also lots of parks and beaches to visit with your pet, but remember to bring water to the beaches in San Diego that are pet-friendly because none of them have fresh water available.
Although many attractions do not allow pets, such as Sea World and Legoland, they do provide kennel services. San Diego also has many pet-friendly restaurants and cafes; usually pets are allowed in the outdoor dining areas of pet-friendly eateries.
