The Northwest Gulf Coast in Florida is a popular destination for people who enjoy relaxing by the sea and activities such as kayaking, fishing, swimming, sailing, birdwatching and walking along white sand beaches with family, friends and canine companions. Franklin County coastal villages, public beaches and Northwest Gulf Coast vacation rentals are pet friendly and welcome dogs. Local festivities, including the annual "Art for Arf" Humane Society benefit, "Dog Days of Summer," and "Howl-oween Bow Wow Ball," all celebrate dogs.
Tropical Treasure at Bonita Beach is a pet-friendly vacation rental home that is spacious enough to accommodate a large family or a group of friends. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom house provides a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, cable TV, washer and dryer, plus a separate wheelchair-accessible unit. Guests swim in the heated private pool, cook on the gas barbecue grill and watch the sun set over the Gulf from the upstairs sundeck. Pet owners enjoy playing with their dogs in the chain-link fenced-in dog yard. Be sure to tell the homeowner about your pet and discuss pet fees when you make your reservation.
This property is located on a canal with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, and the beach and restaurants are only one block away. The pet-friendly Bonita Beach community and Lee County Parks and Recreation Department have created Barkingham Park and Dog Beach, where, according to Lee County's Parks & Recreation Department, "dogs may run free in a beautiful beach setting." Dog Beach also offers "Fitness with Fido" classes and a new program called "Kayak with Canine."
Tropical Treasure
330 Bonita Beach Road
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
252-535-4258 (Betty Magee)
staynplay.net/bonita-beach/Magee2/default.htm
Tide's Inn is a comfortable, charmingly decorated three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a "breathtaking view" from the large sundeck and screened porch. Amenities include three TVs, VCR, DVD player, CD player, ceiling fans, washer and dryer, microwave and dishwasher. Dogs are allowed in this pet-friendly home, which is situated on a corner lot with easy access to West Gulf Beach.
The beaches of St. George Island are among the few left in Florida where dogs are welcome to run and play on the sand and in the surf. There are many dog-friendly vacation rentals on St. George Island, but few allow cats or other pets.
Tide's Inn
Collins Vacation Rentals, Inc
60 E. Gulf Beach Drive
St. George Island, FL 32328
800-683-9776
collinsvacationrentals.com/catalog.cfm?propcode=TIDESIN
Sunflower 1 and 2 are two cozy beachfront cottages on West Gulf Beach. Both are pet friendly for dogs only and each cottage offers one bedroom, one bath and two TVs with VCR and DVD player. The cottages share a washer and dryer, an outdoor shower and a boardwalk to the beach. From the sundeck, guests enjoy sounds of the sea and magnificent Gulf and sunset views. The two Sunflower cottages are a great option for two families with pets traveling together.
Collins Vacation Rentals, Inc
60 E. Gulf Beach Drive
St. George Island, FL 32328
800-683-9776
collinsvacationrentals.com/catalog.cfm?propcode=SUNFLO1
collinsvacationrentals.com/catalog.cfm?propcode=SUNFLO2
This unique pet-friendly four-bedroom home, with private beach access right outside the door and a private fenced-in pool in the backyard, features Gulf and lake views, high ceilings, a fully equipped kitchen, an open floor plan and a large master bedroom and whirlpool bath. Other amenities include flat-screen TVs, home-theater stereo system, high-speed wireless Internet, charcoal grill and outdoor hot and cold shower. The house welcomes well-behaved, house-trained dogs over two years old with prior approval and a $125 fee per pet per week. You and your dogs will enjoy miles of walking trails and a private dock at nearby Camp Creek Lake, but only permanent residents' pets are allowed on Walton County beaches.
Perfect Circle Beach House
238 Pelican Circle
Santa Rosa Beach FL 32413
504-908-9155 (Rae Bryan)
thebeachthebeach.com/Perfectcircle.html
