As I enter my room at the boutique Hotel Monaco in San Francisco, I notice a plush bed, an exotic ceramic dish and a perfectly wrapped treat. To my chagrin, those things were not left there for me. They were placed there for Scarlet, my faithful companion, a sweet Redbone Coonhound.
Surveying the dog-friendly amenities makes me shudder to think of my family dog’s lifestyle when I was growing up. When we left town, our dog was completely reliant on the neighbor boy who was paid to stop by, refill the daily rations and toss the ball for a few minutes. When Fido didn’t make the traveling team for the family vacation, the lonely backyard or an over-crowded kennel was his fate.
But in today’s world, dog-owners have a myriad of options for traveling with their four-legged friends which includes dropping them off in a fun, healthy environment.
With its flagship in West Sacramento, followed by a May opening in San Francisco, and another hotel scheduled to open in Sunnyvale in fall 2007, the Wag Hotel is fast becoming the premier boarding destination for pampered pets in Northern California.
Commonly referred to as the “Ritz for Ruffie,” the Wag Hotel offers comfortable accommodations, individual attention, doggy play dates and swim time in Wag’s own onsite swimming pool. Stroll through the facility and you will see dogs lounging in their spacious guest rooms on mini-sofas watching such programs as “101 Dalmatians” on in-suite flat-screen televisions.
And if that’s not enough, the Wag spoils pets with additional services such as bathing, grooming and relaxing massages. The hotel is open 24 hours a day for drop off and pick-up, and offers home drop-off and pick-up services to keep Ruffie’s master happy, as well.
If you are thinking this service much cost a fortune, think again. The Wag prides itself on being affordable. Rates start at $28 per night for small dogs and increase to $42 for large dogs; upgrades ($52-$72) are available. Cats are $20 per night.
Not just for Sacramentans, the flagship Wag Hotel is in West Sacramento, just off Interstate 80, which allows Bay Area, Solano, Napa and Sonoma county residents easy access on their way to and from the Sacramento International Airport and the Sierra.
Bringin’ the Bow Wow Along
In California there are plenty of hotel options if you are traveling with your dog. It takes just a little bit of research to locate the right hotel for your tastes. Sites such as dogfriendly.com and takeyourpet.com feature pet-friendly destinations from Starwood’s W Hotels to Motel 6. These sites also feature links to pet-friendly vacation rental homes spanning Northern California from Sea Ranch to Lake Tahoe. Large chains, such as Marriott and Sheraton, have hopped on the pet-friendly wagon, too. Be sure to check if the hotel you choose requires a nonrefundable pet deposit and ask if they allow pets to be unattended in guest rooms.
Dining With Your Dog
It is not just for the French anymore. Many California restaurants now recognize that owners who consider their pets as children want to bring them everywhere – even out for a fine dinner. Some Northern California restaurants that are following this dog-friendly trend include:
Napa
Downtown Joe’s at 902 Main Street offers riverfront dining for you and your best friend.
Sacramento
55 Degrees at 555 Capitol Mall offers patio seating for diners with dogs.
Hitting the Beach
Everyone loves a day at the beach – particularly our furry friends. Follow this beach etiquette when you visit dog beaches:
- Always keep your dog leashed when there is a leash law.
- Always clean up after your dog by using a poop bag or scooper.
- Dispose of waste in appropriate garbage receptacles.
- Unless welcomed, do not allow your dog to socialize with other beach-goers or dogs.
- When in an official off-leash area, keep your dog under your supervision and control (following your verbal commands) at all times.
Bringin’ the Bow Wow Along
In California there are plenty of hotel options if you are traveling with your dog. It takes just a little bit of research to locate the right hotel for your tastes. Sites such as dogfriendly.com and takeyourpet.com feature pet-friendly destinations from Starwood’s W Hotels to Motel 6. These sites also feature links to pet-friendly vacation rental homes spanning Northern California from Sea Ranch to Lake Tahoe. Large chains, such as Marriott and Sheraton, have hopped on the pet-friendly wagon, too. Be sure to check if the hotel you choose requires a nonrefundable pet deposit and ask if they allow pets to be unattended in guest rooms.
Dining With Your Dog
It is not just for the French anymore. Many California restaurants now recognize that owners who consider their pets as children want to bring them everywhere – even out for a fine dinner. Some Northern California restaurants that are following this dog-friendly trend include:
Napa
Downtown Joe’s at 902 Main Street offers riverfront dining for you and your best friend.
Sacramento
55 Degrees at 555 Capitol Mall offers patio seating for diners with dogs.
Hitting the Beach
Everyone loves a day at the beach – particularly our furry friends. Follow this beach etiquette when you visit dog beaches:
- Always keep your dog leashed when there is a leash law.
- Always clean up after your dog by using a poop bag or scooper.
- Dispose of waste in appropriate garbage receptacles.
- Unless welcomed, do not allow your dog to socialize with other beach-goers or dogs.
- When in an official off-leash area, keep your dog under your supervision and control (following your verbal commands) at all times.
Monterey, California
Take you water-and beach-loving pooch to this awesome beach in Monterey. There are various starting points, but essentially it stretches from Hwy 1 and the Del Rey Oaks exit south to Fisherman’s Wharf. Various beaches make up this two-mile area, but leashed dogs are allowed on all of them. If you want to extend your walk, continue on the paved Monterey Recreation Trail, which goes all the way to Pacific Grove. There are a few smaller dog-friendly beaches along the paved trail.
Zephyr Cove
Beautiful Zephyr Cove Beach, Nevada, is located approximately five miles northeast of Stateline in South Late Tahoe. Dogs are not allowed on the main beach, but, just north of the last parking area to your right, if you walk about 100 yards into the National Forest, you’ll find “dog heaven”. Leashed dogs have a ball and the clean-up bags provided make this stretch of beach a dog-owner’s paradise. The beach is dog-friendly, and the cabins at Zephyr Cove Resort allow pets. Call 775-589-4907 for accommodations.
San Francisco
Located south of Ocean Beach, off Skyline Boulevard (Hwy 35) near John Muir Drive, this popular dog beach has trails that run through the dunes from the parking lot to the beach below. In the past, dogs have been allowed off-leach. Currently, however, all dogs must be on leash. Fairly easy access, a large expanse of beach and a water trough for thirsty pups makes this an ideal beach destination. Fort Funston is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Tasting With The Woofer
Did you know that your dog can enjoy wine tasting too? Well, at least they enjoy hanging close to their human companions at any and every possible chance. That is why these Napa and Sonoma wineries allow well-behaved leashed dogs on their premises.
Napa Valley
Casa Nuestra 3541 Silverado Trail North, St. Helena 707-963-5783. Dogs are allowed in the tasting room and picnic area.
Cuvaison Winery 4550 Silverado Trail, Calistoga 707-942-6266. Well-behaved leashed dogs are allowed in the tasting room and at the outdoor picnic areas.
Sullivan Vineyards 1090 Galleron Road Rutherford 707-963-9646. Well-behaved leashed dogs are allowed in the tasting room and at the picnic table. There are three dogs on the premises.
V. Sattui Winery 1111 White Lane St. Helena 707-963-7774. Dogs are welcome in the picnic area. The winery also has on on-site deli, picnic benches and a shaded area.
Sonoma County
DeLoach Vineyards 1791 Olivet Road Santa Rosa 707-526-9111. Dogs are allowed in the picnic area.
F. Korbel and Brothers 13250 River Road Guerneville 707-824-7000. Well-behaved leashed dogs are allowed in the picnic area.
Foppiano Vineyards 12707 Old Redwood Highway Healdsburg 707-433-7272. Dogs are allowed in the picnic area and on the self-guided vineyard tour.
Topolos Vineyards 5700 Gravenstein Highway North Forestville 707-887-1575. Dogs are allowed in the tasting room.
The Wine Room 9575 Sonoma Highway Kenwood 707-833-6131. The co-op tasting room is dog-friendly.
Summer 2007 Pet Calendar
BBQ and Blues with Elvin Bishop Headlining, Saturday July 14 from 1 PM to 9:30 PM at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn. The event benefits the Placer County SPCA. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the gate and do not include food and beverage. Visit placerspca.org for more information.
Painting for Paws! Art Show and Reception, Saturday July 14 from 6PM to 9PM at the Cool Cat Gallery at 918 24th Street in Sacramento. Come see original artwork created by Happy Tails artists-in-residence. There will also be a silent auction and complimentary appetizers and wine. Visit happytails.org for more information.
National Homeless Animals’ Day Mutt Strut!, Saturday August 18 from 10AM to Noon. There will be speeches by community leaders, informational tables, mobile adoptions and then a “Mutt Strut” around the Capitol. Leashed dogs welcome. Visit happytails.org for more information.
Dog Day with the Oakland As, Thursday August 2. Bring your dog to watch the A’s take on the Anaheim Angels. Visit athletics.mlb.com for more information.
Dogs Days of Summer with the San Francisco Giants, Saturday August 11 at 6:05 PM at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Watch the Giants take on the Pittsburg Pirates with your best buddy; you can purchase a seat for your dog. Call Leslie Miles at 415-972-2356 for tickets.
Canine Festival, Saturday August 11 and Sunday August 12 from 10AM to 5PM at the Sebastiani Vineyard and Winery in Sonoma. Bring your dog to enjoy morning vineyard walks, a doggy fashion show, canine cooking demos, music, wine tasting and food. Visit sebastiani.com for more information.
Fourth Annual Cause for the Paws! Food – Wine Tasting – Live Music – Live and Silent Auctions – Mobile Adoptions Sunday August 26 from 1PM to 5PM.at Silverado Country Club in Napa. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $45 by calling 707-255-8118x201 or visiting www.napahumane.org.
Kibble and Bids – A Fundraiser for Golden Retriever Rescue Homeward Bound, Saturday September 8 from 3PM to 7PM at the Riverwood Estate in Sacramento. Kibble and Bids is Homeward Bound’s premier fundraising event dedicated to building their adoption center and sanctuary. Visit homewardboundgoldens.org for more information.
Bark in the Park! A Festival for the Entire Family, Saturday September 15 from 10AM to 5PM at Naglee Park in San Jose. A fundraising event hosted by the Naglee Park neighborhood’s Campus Community Association. All proceeds benefit the CCA and Humane Society Silicon Valley. Visit nagleepark.org for more information.
Art Bark Festival! An Animal Art and Wine Festival September 15 and 16 from 11AM to 5PM in the Village at Squaw Valley in North Lake Tahoe. The event is put on by Tails By the Lake and benefits the Humane Society Truckee-Tahoe and Squaw Rescue Dogs. The event is free. Visit tailsbythelake.com for more information.
