It’s something to be expected in Carmel, a town founded in the early 1900s as an artists’ colony that rejected social constructs and embraced open-minded, welcoming residents. Long before “dog-friendly” became a marketing term, actress and animal advocate Doris Day bought the stately Cypress Inn and turned it into a dog-friendly haven at a time when dogs were rarely allowed indoors. Today, most of Carmel’s hotels accept pets, there are water bowls all over town, and dogs are allowed in most shops, galleries, and tasting rooms (of which the town has many).
Photos: Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea and Fisherman’s Wharf
Though the town does have leash laws, it’s not unusual to see well-trained off-leash dogs skipping down the sidewalks or walking on trails next to their coffee-cup-toting owners. Restaurants like the Hog’s Breath Inn and Grasing’s even have special menus just for furry friends.
Fortunately, it’s not just Carmel where dogs can have as great a vacation as their humans. Nearby Spanish Bay Beach allows off-leash dogs south of its creek, and Monterey’s Del Monte Beach and San Carlos Beach allow leashed dogs on beaches. The 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is a paved walking route removed from cars and traffic, and the 34-acre Mission Trail Nature Preserve welcomes off-leash dogs. Head north to Monterey, about 20 minutes away, to book dog-friendly whale-watching tours or rent a cruiser bike with an attached sidecar for adventurous pups.
For travelers on the West Coast, it’s hard to find a destination as dog-friendly as Carmel. It not only welcomes dogs, but prioritizes their comfort and enjoyment nearly as much as it cares about its human visitors. There are few places where you can spend the morning running next to the Pacific Ocean with your pup, then spend your afternoon ducking in and out of world-class tasting rooms with your dog by your side. It’s a truly special place and one where you never have to leave your dog behind.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is obsessed with dogs: dozens of hotels welcome pups with beds, bowls, treats, and pet packages. Nearly everything in Carmel is walkable to the town’s beaches, and most hotels can arrange activities like dog-friendly wine tasting tours.
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The Cypress Inn is basically the hotel that made dog-friendly stays a thing in the US, ever since actress and animal lover Doris Day bought the resort. The Cypress Inn can help arrange pet sitting or pet-friendly activities, and the on-site Terry’s Lounge is well known for its doggy “yappy” hours on the outdoor patio.
All rooms at the Carmel County Inn are dog friendly, and dogs are every welcome by name on the lobby’s arrival board. Guests can make use of complimentary doggy strollers and wagon rentals, and there’s even a dog-washing station in case your dog gets a little too dirty playing at the nearby beach.
Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey is super dog-friendly, with a pet package that includes not just treats, but even a free doggy meal at one of the hotel’s on-site restaurants. Up to two dogs are allowed per room, and it’s in an ideal location for walking to famous Cannery Row.
This luxury hotel was originally built more than 100 years ago as a mansion for the wealthy San Francisco-based Ghirardelli family, of chocolate fame. Now, it’s a high-end boutique hotel that welcomes dogs (and offers a complimentary champagne breakfast daily for guests). 