If you’re planning a family vacation but don’t want to leave your dog at home, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re ready to have some fun at the beach, go hiking through the woods, or you’re planning on spending some time in a quaint little town, there is a dog-friendly location that is perfect for you and your pup.
Here are 9 of our favorite vacation spots for you and your furry travel buddy!
REHOBOTH BEACH, DE
Dogs are welcome to play on all beaches in Rehoboth….need we say more?! Take your pup to “Cinema by the Surf” for a free outdoor movie in the evening. Some hotels and several beach rentals allow dogs, like the Atlantis Inn. The Junction and Breakwater Trail is also a great place to take your dog for a stroll.
© BaltimoreSun.com
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Santa Barbara is a beautiful beach town with endless outdoor opportunities for you and your dog. With dozens of pet-friendly hotels, including posh hotels like San Ysidro Ranch and The Biltmore Santa Barbara, there is fun for everyone. Take your dog to the ever popular Arroyo Burro Beach Park where people and dogs frolic and surf from morning ’til night. Just up the road you can bring your dog to one of the most breathtaking dog parks in America, Douglas Family Preserve. It’s Santa Barbara’s best-kept secret, usually only known by locals.
© SantaBarbaraCa.com
OUTER BANKS, NC
With 130 miles of barrier islands and cute beach towns, most beaches are dog-friendly all year! Dogs are welcome at a number of fun restaurants and boutiques, including Bonzer Shack in Kill Devil Hills. They have live music and great food with picnic tables scattered around town for you and your dog. John’s Drive-In is a cute lunch spot that offers dog-friendly ice cream! Duck Trail offers endless fun with seven miles of beautiful walking trails.
© OuterBanksVacations.com
LAKE TAHOE, CA
Tahoe offers year-round fun for you and your pets. Take your dog swimming at the beaches of Lake Tahoe, including Kiva Beach on the South Shore and King’s Beach on the North Shore. There are dozens of hiking trails and parks to play and run on, along with hundreds of dog-friendly hotels and home rentals. Dogs are welcome at a number of dining spots so they can easily come along. In the winter, bring your pup along for some fun in the snow!
© TahoeSouth.com
SANIBEL ISLAND, FL
With several dog-friendly beach house rentals and hotels, you can bring your pup along for some fun in the sun. With beautiful beaches like Bowman’s Beach, Tarpon Bay Road Beach, and Lighthouse Park Beach, there is a spot for you and your dog on the sandy shore. You can even take your dog on the Wildlife Drive tour through a mangrove forest at Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
© VisitFlorida.com
SUN VALLEY, ID
With endless hiking trails and scenic beauty, spending a weekend in Sun Valley, Idaho with your pet seems like the perfect vacation spot. Dogs are welcome on hiking trails in the area and offer plenty of pet waste stations. In addition to hiking trails galore, there are a number of dog-friendly beaches such as Redfish and Altura Lakes, Petite Lake, and Hulen Pond.
© VisitIdaho.org
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
San Francisco has always been a great destination for families, but why not bring your pup along to the City by the Bay? There are more than 185 restaurants your dog can accompany you to, and a number of pet-friendly hotels. Interested in heading up to wine country? Take a day to drive up to Napa Valley and bring your pup along for outdoor dining and drinking. Dogs are also welcome on the Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruises located at Pier 39, as well as on the famous San Francisco cable cars.
© SF.FunCheap.com
NANTUCKET, MA
Nantucket has a ton of dog-friendly beaches including Francis State Beach, Nobadeer Beach, and Steps Beach. There are also a number of activities both you and your dog will enjoy, like strolling through acres of red cranberries at the Milestone Cranberry Bogs or having lunch and drinks at Cisco Brewers.
© KnoxandBear.com
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
With hundreds of home rentals and hotels offering pet-friendly stays, Scottsdale is the perfect spot to relax with your four-legged friends. There are over 100 pet-friendly restaurants your dog can tag along to, and endless dog parks, hiking trails, and businesses that allow you to spend more time with your pooch. At the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess Resort, your dog is treated like royalty. This Arizona retreat provides everything you and your four-legged friend could need, including plush pet beds, fun toys, a specialized pet menu, and special walks by staff upon request.
© TripAdvisor.com
What are some of your favorite dog-friendly vacation spots?
Jenn Fenton is the face behind the Instagram account and blog, One Hippo Two Hippo that features her rescue dogs, Riley + Jax. Her love for her rescue dogs and dog products shows through her content creation, imagery and bright, fun visuals. As a marketing and product manufacturing professional, she has created targeted content and products for national brands including Petco, PetSmart, Wayfair, HomeGoods and more. She loves connecting with other like-minded pet and animal lovers just like her! Shoot her a message to say hello!
