Travel
Dog-friendly destinations and tips for traveling with your golden
One of the best things about having dogs is getting to take them on adventures. We love traveling with our goldens and have found that more and more places are becoming dog-friendly. Here are some of our favorite destinations.
San Diego
Where to Stay
We found a great studio on VRBO in North Pacific Beach, just a short walk from Tourmaline beach. Renting a vacation home is often the easiest option when traveling with dogs since many hotels have size or breed restrictions.
Things to Do
- Dog Beach, Ocean Beach— An off-leash beach where dogs can run and swim freely.
- Fiesta Island— A large off-leash area great for fetching and swimming.
- Del Mar Dog Beach— Another fantastic off-leash beach, especially beautiful at sunset.
Where to Eat
- Hennessy's Tavern— Dog-friendly patio dining right near the beach.
- Fig Tree Cafe— Great breakfast spot with outdoor seating that welcomes dogs.
Sedona
Sedona holds a special place in our hearts because it is where we got engaged! The red rocks and stunning scenery make it an incredible destination, and it is surprisingly dog-friendly.
Where to Stay
We stayed at El Portal, a boutique hotel that truly welcomes dogs. They provide dog treats at check-in and the staff loves meeting your pups. We also stayed at the Orchards Inn, which also allows dogs and has beautiful views of the red rocks.
Hiking
Sedona has incredible hiking trails and most of them allow dogs on leash. The red rock scenery is breathtaking and the dogs love exploring the trails with us.
Where to Eat
The Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village has several dog-friendly restaurants with lovely outdoor patios. We also enjoyed Oak Creek Brewery and Taos Cantina, both of which welcome dogs on their patios.
Phoenix Staycations
Sometimes you don't need to travel far to have a great getaway. The Phoenix area has some fantastic dog-friendly resorts. The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass is a beautiful resort with plenty of space for dogs to explore. The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale has a wonderful 4Paws program that rolls out the red carpet for your furry family members with dog beds, bowls, and treats.
Colorado
Colorado is one of the most dog-friendly states we have visited. The mountain towns, hiking trails, and cool weather make it a perfect destination for golden retrievers.
Telluride
Telluride is a magical mountain town that is incredibly dog-friendly. The town has “Puppy Parking” stations outside shops, the Galloping Goose shuttle is dog-friendly, and you can even take your dogs on the free gondola between Telluride and Mountain Village.
We stayed at the Camel's Garden hotel, right on the main street.
Vail Valley
We stayed at the Westin Riverfront at Beaver Creek. The hotel is right next to a beautiful creek path perfect for morning walks. The rooms have a kitchenette, and they provide dog beds so your pups feel right at home.
Ouray
Known as the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray is a gorgeous little mountain town. We loved Billy Goat Gruff's beer garden where dogs are welcome on the patio. We stayed at the Comfort Inn, which allows pets.
Travel Resources
Resources we use when planning dog-friendly trips:
- AAA Petbook— An essential guide for finding pet-friendly hotels. Fun fact: Quincey's photo was featured in the 13th edition!
- Dogfriendly.com — A comprehensive directory of dog-friendly places.
- Yelp — Search for dog-friendly restaurants and businesses.
- Trip Advisor — Reviews of pet-friendly hotels and destinations.
- PetsWelcome.com — Find pet-friendly lodging across the country.