Bean and Olly

Moss Beach Distillery – Moss Beach, California

Moss  Beach Distillery has been a fixture on the Northern California coast since 1927.  Overall the food is so so, but If you want a good burger theirs is a 10 and big enough to easily split between two even if you are hungry.  Their back patio is famous for its great view of the Pacific Ocean and the tide pools below.  This area is very dog friendly, they have a big dog sign in the front that point you towards the back and doggie bags for any cleanup.  Fire pits and heavy blankets make this a perfect spot to relax for a romantic afternoon after a few hours walking on the beach.

For a bit of added fun the building is rumored to have a ghost.

Moss Beach Distillery website
Yelp review

Hog Island Oyster Company – Marshall, California

Lunch on the edge of Tamales Bay slurping down freshly harvested oysters with friends and the dogs is one step away from nirvana.  Hog Island Oyster Company is the place to get you there.  Don’t be fooled by the video below it was shot on a weekday early in the morning, usually its bustling with people.

Buy a bag of oysters on site, fire up the BBQ and your shucker for an amazing afternoon, but don’t forget to make reservations and bring some good wine.

Hog Island Oyster Company website
Yelp review

Golden Gate Park Dog Run - San Francisco, California

Golden Gate park has a 1.5 acre dog run just west of Spreckles Lake.  It has big pros and big cons.

Pros

Fenced in
Lots of room to run
Lots of other dogs to play with
Benches
Water fountain
Depending on the season there may be a soaking pool or a obstacle course set up
Lots of plastic bags

Cons

No grass and it can turn into a big mud pit
Regularly overrun by dog walkers and their packs of dogs
Most of the dogs that go here are big so it can be a bit intimating for the little ones

Dogster review

Directions from Fulton Street

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Manka’s Inverness Lodge – Inverness, West Marin, California

Manka’s Inverness Lodge is a little trip to another time and place. Located on a hill above Inverness California overlooking beautiful Tamales Bay it’s nestled in among evergreens that capture puffs of fog in their branches – Literally! The décor is drawn from Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales, so much that I expected to see wood nymphs on our window sill each evening.

The main lodge and dining area burned down in a fire a few years ago and is being rebuilt, but they still have a second building with single rooms as well as several stand alone cottages - a few in the hills and one on the water. We stayed in a cottage at the very top of the hill called Perch. Even though the dining area is under construction they will still deliver meals to your room. From what I’ve heard the meals are amazing and primarily comprised of local ingredients. Unfortunately when we were there the owner/chef was having her baby so the kitchen was closed. Fortunately Perch came with a great rustic kitchen and Inverness is in the middle of the California Slow Food movement. A quick shopping trip to Point Reyes Station provided a grocery bag full of local greens, Napa’s best wine and thick Niman Ranch steaks. A great home cooked meal by the fire with the dogs, and a long bath in a huge tub at the end of the evening was definitely a magical experience. While we were cooking a tree fell in the woods less than 50 yards away, talk about fairy tale atmosphere….

Manka’s Inverness Lodge website

Yelp review

La Quinta Resort – La Quinta, California

La Quinta Resort is located about :20 south of Palm Springs in La Quinta California and is nestled next to the spectacular mountain range.  The resort has a long history of being a retreat for movie starts of the 1920s and 30s.  With secluded bungalow type rooms and 41 swimming pools it is very easy to hide away from it all.  The resort is very dog friendly, when I asked the front desk if I needed to be familiar with any specific policies said not really just pick up after them and keep them well behaved.  They charged us a flat $100 pet fee for the entire stay.  I was there for a conference so I actually don’t know what the room rate was, but when I asked for a dog friendly room they gave me room 760 which had it’s own private patio, grass lawn and lemon tree.  It was great not to have to get dressed in the morning to let the dogs out.

I would recommend La Quinta for a romantic weekend get away as well as a place for a family retreat.  I’ve visited the spa a few times, which was a little too clinical for my taste, but they did a good job with the treatments.  There is also plenty of golf and hiking nearby.   The only bad thing I have to say about La Quinta is their food was not so great for the price, but still edible.  There are many dining options near the resort if you are looking for that truly romantic dinner.

 

La Quinta Resort website

Yelp review

I lost all of my video from this trip so hopefully a reader will send me some of thier own or (even better) I'll have a chance to visit this place with the dogs again soon.

Viceroy Palm Springs – Palm Springs, California

If you want to feel like you and your dog are truly “a” listers spend a weekend at the Viceroy in Palm Springs. We were there on an off week in December, but I’ve also visited the spa and the bar during peak seasons and had the same great treatment.

The hotel is tucked away on a street off the main strip of Palm Springs California and if you weren’t paying attention you could drive right by and not know it was there. When you make it in past the tall hedges you’ll find a very stylized intimate retreat. Everything is decorated with white with yellow and black accents, hard edges complemented by lots of finials and mirrors.  The staff was super friendly and it felt like everyone went out of their way to come by, introduce themselves and chat.  We even met the chef one evening that hung out by the pool and had a glass of wine with the guests who were relaxing after their evenings out on the town.  Every time we came back from a walk or hung out by the pool the wait staff would immediately greet our dogs with water bowls.  They also have a special dog menu with things like steak and eggs.   From start to finish the staff treated us like we were the most important people there and from what I could see we weren’t the only guests that felt that way.

There are many open lots for the dogs to stretch their legs nearby.  There is also a large lawn on site that is attached to their event room.  The lawn is delicate so if you need to take your dog on early morning business be considerate of the plants and make sure you pick up after yourself (of course)

The rooms were a little overly trendy for my taste, but because they were so stark I didn’t have to think about monitoring the dogs as much.  The dog fees were quoted to me over the phone as $85 per night per dog, but when we got there they only charged us $85 per dog for the whole stay.  The room rates definitely run high, and from what I hear sell out quickly during peak season.

The Viceroy also has great in house restaurant,a great spa and a good chance for a celebrity sighting or at least a photo shoot.

 

Viceory Palm Springs website 

Yelp review  

 

I lost all of my video from this trip so hopefully a reader will send me some of thier own or (even better) I'll have a chance to visit this place with the dogs again soon.

Sheraton Suites at Symphony Hall - San Diego, California

This is my favorite place to stay when I’m in San Diego on business.  It’s only a few blocks from our office, it has a great view of Balboa Park and the planes landing over downtown. Most of all, the rooms are mini suites with a living room, work area, a full bedroom and a dressing area separate from the bathroom.  This most recent trip I brought the dogs with me and discovered that this Sheraton is very pet friendly. I’m not sure yet if all Sheratons will take dogs like their sister property the W Hotel, but the one on A street in San Diego California definitely does. They also do not have a dog fee like most other hotels. The dog friendly room was just like the rooms I had in the past except that the carpet had a few noticeably muddy paw stains.

The only thing to keep in mind for this location is that there isn’t a place close by to let the dogs run.  There are a few street trees and open parking lots, but I had to walk for about four blocks before I could find a small patch of grass for their early morning business.

Sheraton Suites San Diego at Symphony Hall website

Yelp review 

I lost all of my video from this trip so hopefully a reader will send me some of thier own or (even better) I'll have a chance to visit this place with the dogs again soon.

Location of grassy area

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 UPDATE

I stayed here the other week.  No dogs with me this time, but i still got some video of the doublebed room.

Crissy Field hot dog stand - San Francisco, California

Crissy Fieldis one of the top spots in San Francisco for a walk with your dog.  If you are also looking for a low key place for a quick bite and a fabulous view check out the hot dog stand next to the warming hut.

 

Yelp review

 

 

The Wag Hotel – San Francisco, California

Olly and Bean have stayed at The Wag Hotel a few times and it has always been a stress free experience for both them and us.  The staff has always been super friendly and very attentive to our dogs.  Bean and Olly are always happy and well exercised when we get back.  The #1 reason I tried The Wag Hotel when they opened over our usually boarding choice is because they are open 24/7.  We can pick the dogs up on the way home even if it is in the middle of the night.

 

They have locations in Sacramento and San Francisco. The San Francisco location has a convenient drive in area and super cute store with all of the latest trendy pet gear.

 

Wag Hotel site

Yelp San Francisco review

Yelp Sacramento review 

 

Promotional videos from The Wag Hotel

 

The Parker Palm Springs – Palm Springs, California

We haven’t stayed here yet, but I have been there for drinks and dinner.  I have not seen the inside of the rooms, but after walking the grounds with a cocktail one evening it looks like you can either stay in a bungalow or in a room in the main building.  The atmosphere is really fun and whimsical ..a cross between modern retro, 70s porn and Alice in wonderland.  I’ve heard one reviewer even add in a bit of barbarella.

I heard that they are dog friendly, but I have yet to see one in my three visits there and I didn’t have mine with me at the time to test how dog friendly.  Even if you don’t have your dog with you I’d recommend going there for a drink just to see the grounds, but I definitely do not recommend eating at Mister Parkers.  Go in and see the cool décor, but don’t waste your time or money on the food.

The Parker Palms Springs Website

Yelp review

I lost all of my video from this trip so hopefully a reader will send me some of thier own or (even better) I'll have a chance to visit this place with the dogs again soon.

The Yard at the SOHO Grand - New York, New York

The super dog friendly SOHO Grand offers an added benefit in the summer by turning its side alley into The Yard.  Although it is located in the SOHO district in New York City the atmosphere at The Yard is very LA. Every time we’ve gone it’s in the afternoon or happy hour time so it’s bustling, but not overcrowded.  Even during these times service was laid back (verging on slow).  When you sit at the bar the staff is super friendly and chatty.  With the teak furniture, canopies and chill service you start to feel like you should be sitting by a pool.  Drinks are expensive but well made, appetizers are the same.  I had the king crab leg 2x in one weekend and it was well worth the price and the wait.

 

SOHO Grand Drinking & Dining services

Yelp review 

Taylor’s Automatic Refresher - Napa, California

Taylor’s Automatic Refresher is located on the south end of St Helena in Napa Valley California.  It is a throwback to the 1950s drive in burger joint and a great break from the fancy dining places in the rest of the valey.  The burgers are also great to have the day after wine tasting.  All in house dining is outside, they have a beautiful lawn with picnic tables and umbrellas.  There is a special lawn for dining with your doggie that is separate from the main area.

Taylor’s Automatic Refresher website

 

Yelp review 

 

Travel channel segment

The dog lawn at Taylor’s Automatic Refresher