Most of us aren't fortunate enough to take our favorite pet to work with us, but what if we could take him along for those few precious vacation days? It's really not that outlandish, nor does it limit the scope of the adventure. This month's getaway is all about pet-friendly vacation locations, offering excitement for both the two-legged and four-legged travelers.
San Diego, California
San Diego is laidback, warm and not too costly for today's frugal vacationer. And whether you chase girls in bikinis or a bright yellow tennis ball, SoCal is the place to be.
Ocean Beach offers a taste of the vintage SoCal lifestyle with copious taco stands, surf shops, sunbathers and surfers, not to mention Dog Beach, where pets are free to run along the sandy shoreline or take on the crashing ocean waves. For the mellow canine, try North Beach near Coronado, offering white sand, gentle surf and more than 16 miles of bike paths to explore.
Hikes abound in the San Diego area from the short Cabrillo Tide Pools Trail in Cabrillo National Monument to the eight-mile Barker Valley Trail. And don't miss the Cowles Mountain trail, reaching more than 1,500 feet above sea level and offering spectacular views of the area.
Don't miss the urban culture of Balboa Park. Aside from 15 museums, performing arts venues, and the San Diego Zoo, the park offers pet-friendly access to several picturesque gardens, 65 miles of hiking and biking trails and three off-leash dog parks.
For great cuisine and outside seating try Rhinoceros Café and Grille in Coronado, Fig Tree Café in Pacific Beach, or Pacifica Breeze Café in Del Mar. Loads of pet-friendly hotels, rentals and campgrounds abound in the San Diego area.
Austin, Texas
For something local or just a quick, weekend trip, Austin is a great getaway full of pet-friendly restaurants, hotels, parks and waterholes.
Red Bud Isle, a 13-acres peninsula jutting out into Lady Bird Lake, is an off-leash dog park favored by the locals. Other Austin favorites include the Great Lawn at Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores.
Take your pet along on one of three free walking tours through Austin; tours include Capitol Grounds, Bremond Block and Congress Avenue/Sixth Street. The 12-acre grounds of the historic Laguna Gloria make for beautiful on-leash sightseeing through clover fields, lakes and sculpture gardens. Or stroll the 2nd Street District where all patio restaurants are dog friendly and make for interesting people watching.
After your stroll, fill up at the neighborhood burger joint Billy's on Burnet, or enjoy the backyard atmosphere of Freddie's Place. And who wouldn't want to take their pooch to a place called The Dog and Duck Pub? Dog and Duck has 42 beers on tap and some of the state's best pub grub.
Most of the Austin hotels, including W Austin and The Westin Austin at the Domain, are pet friendly. To treat your four-legged friend to something out of the ordinary, withdraw to the quiet, historic Bastrop where you'll find Pecan Street Inn Bed and Breakfast, a turn-of-the-century Victorian home surrounded by pecan trees and local exploits.
Lake Tahoe, California
North and South Lake Tahoe offer a wealth of pet-friendly activities and accommodations you may have never considered.
For pet-friendly fun, access the crisp, clear waters of Lake Tahoe at Chimney Beach on the northeastern side, the Kaspian Recreation Area on the western shore, or Kiva Beach on the southwest shore.
Take a summer ride on the Squaw Valley gondola to an altitude of 8,200 feet or cruise the lake in a rental boat from Tahoe Keys Boat Rentals. For something more thrilling, take a self-guided raft trip down the Truckee River with Truckee River Raft Co. In the winter, join Borges Sleigh and Carriage Rides for a nostalgic treat any pet would appreciate.
For restaurants with outdoor seating, start with a hearty breakfast at Meyer's Downtown Café and then feast on fish tacos for lunch at Riva Grille. You might even want to share a bite or two with your pooch.
On the north side of the lake, try Tahoe Moon Properties. They offer more than 50 pet-friendly rental properties from lakeside houses to cozy cabins and ski-in condos for you and the four-legged family members. On the south side, try Stonehenge at Tahoe for unique, luxury housing.
Cape San Blas, Florida
People and pets looking to avoid the crowds and commercialized settings of Destin and Panama City must head to Cape San Blas for their calm, pet-friendly white sandy beaches. Cape San Blas lies between Port St. Joe and Apalachicola in the northwest Florida Panhandle and rivals the snorkeling, fishing, boogie boarding and sunbathing of other Florida locations.
Rent a pet-friendly pontoon boat from Seahorse Water Safaris and fish or snorkel the crystal clear waters. String up some chicken for a little crabbing along the beach or slap on a mask and snorkel for some shallow water scalloping. If you head to the coast between May 1 and Oct. 31, otherwise known as turtle season, you might see loggerhead and greenback turtles making their way on shore to lay their eggs during the first half of the season and hatching during the second half.
When you're done playing on the beach, pull up a chair at Dockside Café in Port St. Joe for, as the name clearly states, a meal with your pet just off the docks. Cape Escape Vacation Rentals offers affordable beachfront properties for families and pets of all sizes.
Acadia National Park, Maine
This pet-friendly national park helps make Maine a must-visit for four-legged family members along for an adventure. Most hiking trails and campgrounds in Acadia are dog friendly, a rarity among national parks. Exceptions include sand beaches and steep trails, and all pets must be leashed. Check out Little Long Pond for leash-free fun. In this privately owned area of the park, dogs are free to roam as they please. A $10 entrance fee to the park is good for seven days.
Other outdoor adventures around Acadia include Hadley Point Beach near Bar Harbor, a carriage ride through the national park with Wildwood Stables, or a boat tour or ferry ride with Downeast Windjammer Cruises. Take your dog aboard The Acadian for a two-hour cruise of Frenchman Bay with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. where unforgettable scenery and loads of wildlife are standard amenities.
Dine outside with your dog at The Jordan Pond House Restaurant for teahouse-style dining in a natural setting, or stop in at Mainely Meat Barbeque for an assortment of flavors served with The Atlantic Brewing Co.'s full line of ales and seasonal brews. Or enjoy the view of waterfront dining at Fish House Grill or Stewman's Lobster Pound.
Pet-friendly accommodations near Acadia include The Crocker House Country Inn at Hancock Point, Acadia Acres in Bar Harbor, or The Harbor Watch"Inn on Swans Island.
