Memorial Day pet friendly

We all have our favorite places to visit (perhaps a bucket list for you and the dog?) … if we were traveling this Memorial Day weekend, there are a few favorite places to visit easily from Monterey County… Half Moon Bay, Bodega Bay, Napa, Sebastopol, Healdsburg, Mendocino … We love them all… Still, here is a trip we are longing to explore again in a heartbeat…  beaches, wine and cheese and chocolate and redwood trees… who could ask for anything more?

Wine countries

Our favorite pet friendly wineries…

Larson Family Winery 

23355 Millerick Road

Sonoma, CA

707-938-3031

Larson Family Winery

Navarro Vineyards 5601 Highway 128, Philo; (800) 537-9463; www.navarrowine. com. Doggie heaven. There are always treats and a bowl of water in the tasting room. Picnic tables are around the grounds, and there’s a fenced-in dog exercise area.

Toulouse Vineyards 8001 Highway 128, Philo. (707) 895-2828; toulousevineyards.com. Dogs are free to roam the big warehouse of a tasting room or outside on the loading dock.

(Contact me for a free list of pet friendly wineries in California)

Mendocino

Pet Friendly Avenue of the Giants

from Willits to Garberville is about 1 to 2 hours (twisty and windy) and then to Orick another 2-3 hours….very twisty and windy from Oregon to Crescent city (just beyond Orick)   Orick is north of eureka and arcata

and Trinidad is just before Orick, or south of Orick on the way to Eureka and Klamath is just north of Orick a few miles

if you take the 5 rather than the 101 north, you wind up in Medford, Oregon…

Ruffing it in the redwoods

If your dog has a certain affinity for trees – and what dog doesn’t? – they’ll certainly enjoy a fragrant stroll among the tallest in the world. Humboldt County has some of the few places where you can let your dog scamper among redwoods. And while other regions boast of having a single off-leash dog beach, Humboldt has six of them – one of which awaits at the end of a scenic 5-mile coastal trail.

http://www.redwoods.info/showrecord.asp?id=2685

Beaches

Several County Beaches allow dogs to run without a leash on the wave slope within voice command:

Clam Beach 

Big Lagoon

Moonstone

Luffenholtz

Mad River County Park

Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

Leash only

Trinidad State Beach, 

Little River, and Dry Lagoon. 

http://www.friendsofthedunes.org/resources/dog/

http://www.treesofmystery.net/trails.php

Pet Friendly lodging

Motel Trees across from Trees of Mystery

http://www.treesofmystery.net/motetree.htm

$60 + per night

Humboldt Gables Motel

Rio Dell Clean, comfortable, AAA approved, & just a few minutes from the Wild and Scenic Eel River.

RATES STARTING AT $60

707-923-2721

Sherwood Forest Motel

Urban luxuries in a northcoast motel located in the center of a beautiful redwood forest.

http://www.sherwoodforestmotel.com/

 Travel Inn

Clean and comfortable stay at a reasonable price. Close to the redwoods. Travel packages for groups.

Econo Lodge Downtown

Humboldt County’s best in the budget segment. Close to Old Town. Indoor pool.

Bode Suites & Rentals

Perfect choice for a 30 day+ stay. Comfortable, convenient and affordable in the Eureka area.   53/day (30 day minimum).

stay far far far away from the eureka motel 6 worst place ever

 

http://redwoods.info/capsule.asp?seeall=yes&category1=Lodging&searchtype=&petswelcome=yes&orderby=&searchphrase=

http://www.redcrestresort.com/rates.html

visit to the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center in Weott, 6 miles south. The friendly staff will be happy to answer all your questions. Then it’s time to go! Hiking, biking are literally at your doorstep and golfing is just a short drive away. Fishing, swimming, kayaking and rafting are possible on one of our six spectacular rivers. Search for shells and agates on one of the many redwood coast beaches.

Traveling North from Redcrest

Visit the Victorian Village of Ferndale which is listed on the Historic Register. See the many turn of the century homes and shops. Many movies have been filmed there, the most recent being The Majestic, with Jim Carrey. Don’t miss the cemetery, it’s awesome.

In the “Good Ole Summer Time”, Fortuna, Eureka and Arcata have an old-fashioned farmers market once a week, featuring all home made crafts and home-grown produce. Stroll the boardwalk and visit the quaint shops in Old Town Eureka.

Visit picturesque Trinidad, a fishing town with a scenic harbor. Hike on Trinidad Head and stroll along the beautiful beach and view the historic lighthouse. If pulling the handle of a slot machine makes your day be sure to visit the Casino in Trinidad.

http://www.trinidadcalif.com/lodging.html

Orick is about 20 miles north of the town of Trinidad

Sounds like music, reminds me of Orick, CA where we heard the elks mating

Visit spectacular Fern Canyon and Gold Bluffs Beach. Jurassic Park, The Lost World was filmed in the canyon, you don’t want to miss it. Watch out for the elk in the meadows at the Fern Canyon turn off and on Gold Bluffs Beach.

http://www.redwoodparkslodge.com/about/index.php

http://www.redwoods.info/

Traveling South from Redcrest

You don’t want to miss the Rockefeller Forest. Turn off of the Avenue of the Giants onto Mattole Road and drive through the largest virgin forest in the world, just 4 miles south of Redcrest Resort, where you will find the tallest trees in the world. Continuing on this road past Rockefeller Forest, the Lost Coast Loop will take you through Petrolia, where oil was first discovered in California. While driving the Lost Coast you will pass through the furthest western point of the 48 states. The Lost Coast Loop takes about 3 hours (you should start with a full tank of gas) and you will see the scenic back country, and end up in the Victorian Village of Ferndale.

Ever see a black sand beach? Take a drive to the scenic fishing village of Shelter Cove. Watch the fishermen clean their day’s catch. Watch the sea lions on the rocks or maybe you will spot a whale in the distance.

The rugged coastline of Humboldt County proved an obstacle to early road builders, and so Highway 1 gives up just north of Fort Bragg and heads inland to join up with Highway 101. This mostly undeveloped coastline became known as the Lost Coast. While some sections are only accessible on foot, there is one route, known as the Lost Coast Loop that provides a pleasant day drive that will take you through giant redwood forests, to the splendid scenery of the rugged coastline, and then end up in the Victorian Village of Ferndale. Works just as well in the other direction too. Just make sure you have a full tank of gas before you leave, as services are sparce.

it’s a dog’s life in elk, california

Majestic forest kind with antlers high,
Mighty strength belongs to you.
Fill my mind with common sense
To do the things that I must do.

http://www.greenwoodpierinn.com/

Greenwood Pier Inn & Cafe
California & Tex-Mex.
Address: 5928 S. Hwy 1, Elk, Ca. 95432
Phone: 707-877-9997
Toll Free Phone: 800-807-3423
Fax: 707-877-3439
Rates: $130-$300

We stayed in the Loverly Starfish room, double bed, jacuzzi tub, fireplace, ocean view from private balcony, microwave, fridge, cafe, pet friendly, no phone or internet access in room but in office… the next night, we stayed in the East Valley room, with two beds, a real fireplace, Internet access, and no ocean view…

http://www.greenwoodpierinn.com/inn/eastgallery/eastgallery.html

The folks here in Elk are very friendly, feel like we’re back in Oregon again… 🙂 this is a small town about five miles south of the cutoff from Highway 101 to 128 and it is on Hwy 1. You can drive south all the way down to San Francisco along the coast… the weather was delicious and sunny, then rainy and cloudy and warm and cool… very peaceful and delicious food in the cafe… complimentary breakfast was scrambled eggs, country potatoes with toast, orange juice, fresh fruit, and tea or coffee, you could also get quiche of the day, there were three kinds, veggie, spinach and feta, and a tex-mex kind.

Cici met a few dogs along the way down the coast from Westport to here… a lab named Chester on the beach, she was kind of tired from her adventures with M the night before, but she did manage to chase Chester a bit down the sand… there was a couple from Austin, Texas with two schnoodles (poodle and schnauzer mix), who said hello, until cici saw the two kittens running around here, the dogs distracted her a bit…

here’s a few photos of my royal dog lazing on the bed in the Starfish room … pampered pooches, it’s a dog’s life, ya know…

from now on, when I talk about the various inns we stay in, will try to give them a new category such as:

furs class

pampered pooches

farm and country k9

doggone fun

affurdable

pack leaders special

ruffing it

whaddya think?

we think the Greenwood Pier Inn is four paws up, K9 approved and furs class, and special thanks to Mike, Steve and the innkeepers of this inn also have the Sandpiper down the road (not pet friendly), but thanks to Jaci for recommending us to Greenwood and they also own The Inn at 17 Mile in Pacific Grove…

they also do small weddings here, tomorrow is one and hopefully the weather will cooperate…

http://www.greenwoodpierinn.com/

Along Highway One… from Monterey to Bodega Bay…

I fell in love with Bodega Bay on a visit to Santa Rosa when I still lived in Carson City. I went there every day rain or shine, it didn’t matter. I adore the rocky, craggy shoreline. I cast a few prayers out to the ocean and lo and behold a few years later, in 2004, I had the opportunity to live there, in a house across from the beach. The deer visited the lawn every night. And it was quiet and peaceful. I took care of a cat and enjoyed the salty air.

Given my love for Bodega Bay and Half Moon Bay, Cici and I decided to travel up from Monterey along Hwy 1, along the coast. I thought that the beaches were dog friendly but found out that they are not. Not even at Costa Noa, an upscale eco camp where you can stay in a yurt. So we bypassed most of the towns. There are some interesting farms that we did not go to but one of these days, we will visit. 

A great chocolate find is Donnelly’s in Santa Cruz. Yum yum. quite a great assortment of chocolates, including alcohol fillings, an array of fillings that set the mouth to watering.

http://www.donnellychocolates.com/

Past Pescadero and Pigeon Point, just south of the town of Half Moon Bay, there is a really great Italian restaurant that has the BEST chocolate dessert (death by chocolate cake) that I’ve EVER tasted. Joe’s restaurant, 2380 S. Cabrillo Highway (Hwy 1). 650-560-9260. 

http://www.halfmoonbayjoes.com/index.htm

Right in Half Moon Bay, just after you pass the turnoff for Hwy 92, that goes into Redwood City, we had to visit our favorite Thai restaurant, Siam Restaurant. The owner and staff are from Thailand, very friendly, the nicest people and the food is wonderful. I love the Pad Thai with chicken and chicken curry. One time, I went on a fishing trip (never again) and brought back a boatload of fish and gave it to them. They cooked some up for me in a curry sauce and it was mouthwateringly wonderful. It’s at 50 Cabrillo Hwy N, #2, Half Moon Bay. Cici made friends outside while I had lunch.

Afterwards, we walked along the beach. I can never remember which beach it is, Francis or Poplar, it has free parking, the others charge a fee.   There is a horse path that goes along the cliff, the beach is very steep and I never actually go onto the beach there. She sniffed and sniffed to her heart’s delight. 

http://www.halfmoonbaychamber.org/visiting_hmb/beaches.html#Poplar%20Beach

After visiting another beach and wandering around town, we went to the bank and headed back to Carson City. It was around 4 pm, worse traffic ever and no good path. We got stuck along the 37 into Vallejo. Terrible place to get stuck. Isolated and deserted, but we had company because of all of the traffic. Luckily, a car filled with English tourists stopped for us and drove into town and brought us back three quarts of oil. We borrowed a cell phone and called AAA who could not find us without the turnoff exit name. Not exactly like looking for a needle in the haystack. I bet they are still looking for us. 

Another time, we went to Santa Rosa, stayed at the Motel 6 on the north part of town, not the one by the college and visited Bodega Bay.  We walked around Sebastopol, too. On the road from Santa Rosa to Sebastopol to Bodega, I think it’s Hwy 12, there are some orchards and there were a ton of apples on the ground. Sebastopol also has a Whole Foods Market and Screaming Mimi’s, the best homemade ice cream ever. There are a lot of shops for window shopping. And Santa Rosa has a Trader Joe’s. If you take the 116 into Sebastopol, there is a wonderful turkey/hamburger shack, Sequoia Drive-in on the way into town. 

Bodega has the best fish and chips on the planet at the Boat House, a local’s favorite… The other places are overpriced and commercialized.

There is a Visitor’s Center, where they can give you a ton of info about the area. This is the town where Alfred Hitchcock filmed the movie “The Birds.”

Next to the post office, there is a great little hot dog shack, called The Dog House which has various interesting varieties of dogs and accoutrements besides mustard and ketchup.  (707) 875- 2441

A great place to stay sans pets, is a wonderful little motel in Bodega where I stayed another time (pre-Cici) by myself on my birthday. No pets allowed. It’s the Harbor Inn. There is a do it yourself laundromat and 7-11 type store right around the corner. Very reasonable rates for the area and clean, quiet non-smoking rooms.  

http://www.bodegaharborinn.com/

Afterwards, we visited Schoolhouse beach (across the street from where I used to live), and there were too many people and dogs. It’s a pretty small beach. Nice and accessible though. Cc decided she wanted to play with these two boys who were about 8 and 12 years old and a little overwhelmed by her enthusiasm. 

We left and decided to explore other places. Went to some of my favorites, including Armstrong Woods. They were booked, or we might have camped there one night underneath the redwoods… There is a $6 fee per car to drive into the woods but I prefer to walk. It’s free but I really love taking a walk through the trees. I like to walk, stop, sit down on a bench, and breathe. It’s such a peaceful atmosphere and cool and dark. I left cici in the car while I refreshed myself in the silence and majesty of the trees. Heaven on earth.

On Hwy l before Jenner and before it turns off to Guerneville, behind the Indian restaurant, the Sizzling Tandoor (food is passable), there is a road that leads to some paths. We drove and there were a lot of other people going there, too. I decided to walk her instead of following the crowd who obviously were going to a wedding.

On the way into the town of Guerneville, there is a school with a fenced area, almost like a park, and it was the weekend, so no kids there.  I was able to let her go off leash for awhile. And simply had to stop in at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Mi Casita, on the way into town. They have the largest burritos and fresh salsa. 

http://www.bodegabay.com/discover/activities.html

Bodega Bay Beaches To Take Your Dog (on a leash)

Doran Beach
Marshall Gulch
Carment Beach
Schoolhouse Beach
Portuguese Beach
Duncans Cove
Wright’s Beach
Furlong Gulch
Shell Beach
Blind Beach

There is also Chanslor Stables where you can rent horses and ride along the beach, too. On the way from Bodega to Schoolhouse beach. The Sonoma coast is breathtaking.

After I moved from Bodega, I lived in Bolinas for the summer, and I used to take Hwy l from Bolinas up to Bodega Bay once a week to pick up my mail. It is a wonderful one hour drive along the water and alongside the trees. You go into Point Reyes Lighthouse National Seashore.  I found it quite meditative. In places it is twisty and windy but not excessively. And there are so many wonderful beaches and places to visit including Dillon’s beach. 

http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp

So many beautiful places to explore… 

Further south, there is Mt. Tamalpais, Mill Valley, Sausalito… ahhhhhhh….

It’s funny since I lived 12+ years in Los Angeles, I had this attitude about northern California, that I didn’t like it, San Francisco reminds me too much of New York and I left there when I was 19. But the last 5-6 years exploring northern California has been amazing. And even more so when traveling with my dog. Starry starry nights…

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Women Just Wanna Travel the World with Their GirlFriends…

Did you know that according to AAA, Girlfriends Getaways account for about four percent of all USA Leisure travel and the leading reasons women want to getaway is to bond with friends or family and to
escape from their daily responsibilities. The most popular activities while on a Girlfriends Getaway are dining out, shopping, spa-ing and going to the beach or pool.

Sweet Safaris Eco-Tours have it all and Much Much More…

Explore the scenic wonders of the northern California coast and southern Oregon’s treasures
An intimate gathering of 8-12 women, mothers and daughters, gal pals, work associates, bachelorettes, and new best friends, laughing, singing, sampling chocolates at factories, savoring yummy desserts,
shopping, spa-ing, snapping picturesque photos of white sand beaches and Giant Redwood forests, sipping fine wines, snacking on Thai, Chinese, turkey burgers, fish and chips, whale watching, organic farming, Solar Living, Mt. Shasta, Carmel’s famous 17 mile scenic tour, and so much more… Sleep in a yurt, cabin, farmhouse, camp out underneath the stars (seasonal), sample unique B&B inns and indulge in
upscale, stylish hotels …

Ten days leisurely driving along the northern California coast. Our last stop will be Ashland, Oregon, a chocolate mecca and home to year-round Shakespeare Festival. A dream come true. Share this holiday
with women you love to spend time with. Make it an annual tradition. Optional horseback rides along the beach at Half Moon Bay and Bodega Bay. A refreshing vacation package for sun and fun lovers includes
gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, scenic rejuvenation and chocolates, who could ask for anything more?

Ask about upcoming Eco-tours to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon and luxury tours to Hawaii, that include a spectacular cruise to New Zealand and Australia…

Women just wanna travel the world with their Girlfriends!

http://greengoddessesguide.googlepages.com/home

I am a published travel writer and co-author of five romantic travel guides, originally from NYC. I have lived in Monterey, Burlingame (SF airport area) and Bodega Bay and know many local favorite hot spots, secret surprises and can share insider’s tips about writing travel stories. This summer, as you know, I took this grand tour along the California coast to Ashland, Oregon with my wonder dog. I have traveled around the world and lived in Bangladesh, Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, India, Israel,
Singapore and Thailand (as well as NYC, Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada). I have also driven across the USA numerous times.