It’s easy for dogs and their people to fall in love with Carmel-by-the-Sea, top vote-getter as Best Day Trip with a Dog in Bay Woof’s 2014 Beast of the Bay Awards.
Maybe it’s something in the air, or some mysterious substance in the water. More likely, that mile-long, powder-white beach is what set Carmel on course to become the undisputed center of the dog-friendly universe in California. That… and the wisdom of city officials and business owners who decided decades ago not just to tolerate dogs, but to embrace them.
If you’ve never seen a dog threaten to wag its tail right off its body from pure joy, you will when your pooch joins the many and varied canines chasing the surf at leash-free Carmel Beach, situated just below Hole 9 of the famous Pebble Beach Golf Links. In early morning, canines of every make and model can be seen romping happily on this strip of paradise administered by the city. Pups and people come from all over the country and even from abroad to take advantage of the privilege.
The second-best thing about Carmel Beach: It’s walking distance from the charming village center. The boutiques and galleries here are seriously intriguing, and not just for window shopping. Look for water bowls set out on the sidewalk; they’re a good indicator that dogs are welcome inside. (A hitching post, on the other hand, is a hint that furry friends should wait out front while their people pull out their credit cards.)
To get properly oriented and to fill up on fascinating factoids about Carmel and its history, sign up with Carmel Walks for a two-hour guided stroll through hidden courtyards, award-winning gardens, and historical and celebrity haunts. Fifi is welcome to accompany you so long as she minds her manners, and by the end of the tour you will have earmarked a dozen or more dog-friendly places for the two of you to investigate later on. Don’t miss a photo op at the Fountain of Woof, Carmel’s landmark, dogs-only drinking fountain.
On and around Ocean Avenue, the main thoroughfare, you’ll find many places to indulge your pet. Be sure to dip into Diggidy Dog, the go-to place for everything from bakery treats to fancy collars and toys you won’t see anywhere else.
Among the many dog-friendly restaurants on Ocean is Porta Bella, housed in one of those charming Hansel-and-Gretel cottages built by Hugh Comstock, Carmel’s most famous architect. Beautifully landscaped Carmel Plaza, with 35 shops and eateries, is a good place to begin a retail adventure with your leashed friend. Many of its establishments allow dogs inside, and there are benches galore where you and yours can sit, rest, and watch the canine fashionistas pass by.
One more thing you’ll find in the village center and at the beach: lots and lots of biodegradable poop-bag dispensers, along with lots of trash cans in which to dispose of pet waste. (Still, don’t forget to bring some bags of your own.)
Dog-friendly hotels are a dime a dozen these days, but dog-passionate ones don’t come along very often – except in Carmel, where some 25 hotels and inns put out the welcome mat for canine guests. Cypress Inn, the most high-profile dog-friendly lodging establishment in town and maybe in the world, has been welcoming furry guests and setting the standard for canine relations since 1985.
At Carmel Mission Inn, about a mile from the center of town, two- and four-legged guests can stretch their legs on the scenic Mission Park Trail winding through a 37-acre park. Carmel River Inn, just a stroll from Carmel River State Beach (leashes required), features a cluster of cozy cottages on a 10-acre property, while the boutique Tradewinds Carmel is an architectural standout in Carmel Village.
If you prefer a vacation rental, check with Elite Carmel Estate Management, which handles reservations for more then 20 dog-friendly homes in and around Carmel.
Even if you’re not spending the night, you’ll want to enjoy a meal or two with your pup at your side. Among the most popular: Bistro Beaujolais for afternoon tapas and lush and leafy Forge in the Forest, famous for a “dog pound” menu featuring the “quarter hounder” (and a runner-up for Best Dog-friendly Restaurant in Bay Woof’s 2014 Beast of the Bay Awards).
One thing all of Carmel’s dog-friendly commercial establishments have in common: a welcoming staff and fond affection for four-legged guests.
For more info about the special times in store for you and your dog in Carmel, visit carmelcalifornia.com/dog-friendly-carmel.htm and DogTrekker.com.
Janet Fullwood is senior writer and editor for dogtrekker.com, winner of the 2014 Beast of the Bay Awards for Best Dog-friendly Travel Website and Best Dog Blog, and a runner-up in the Best Overall Website for Dog Lovers category. Visit dogtrekker.com to learn why voters love it.
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Main article photo by: dogtrekker.com
