11 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in California

With its attractive beaches, majestic mountains, and must-visit destinations, The Golden State never fails to lure travelers all year round. That said, it also attracts pet owners like us! We’ve visited many California cities with our canines, and the first thing that we always wanted to make sure is the accommodation. Luckily, the pet-friendly hotels in California don’t disappoint. From Sacramento to Napa, we’ve explored some of the state’s top hotels that welcome pets. Their pet amenities made our stay enjoyable, and their service was never a letdown. Today, we want to show you some of our favorite places you and your furry pal can call home (at least temporarily). Keep scrolling to read more about them!

The Leta Santa Barbara Goleta, Santa Barbara

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Is Santa Barbara on your go-to list? Then you should check out The Leta Santa Barbara Goleta. This is a boutique hotel only a short walk away from the beach. Some of the city’s top attractions are also within easy reach, making it a top option among travelers. We brought two of our dogs to this hotel, and there were no maximum weight restrictions. Better yet, we didn’t pay any additional pet fee! Despite that, the hotel still went above and beyond to ensure our stay was a memorable one.

Some people may think they won’t get any pet bowls or food since there’s no pet fee. Thankfully, that’s not the reality. Upon check-in, we received not only pet food but also pet bowls and beds. Since we were allowed to leave our dogs alone in the room, we were able to explore the hotel’s amenities like its outdoor heated pool and fitness center.

River Terrace Inn, a Noble House Hotel, Napa

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Who doesn’t want to visit Napa? No one! Even your pet wants to! That’s why you should take a look at River Terrace Inn, a Noble House Hotel. From the moment we arrived at the hotel, we were welcomed with compassion and generosity. The staff members were super friendly and kind to our dogs. The hotel accepts a dog of any size per room, and we were required to pay an extra pet fee of 100 USD per stay. If you want to bring two dogs, the fee is 150 USD.

In addition to the pet fee, there’s also a refundable damage deposit. We didn’t mind paying for this as our dog was well-trained. What’s more, you don’t have to bring your dog bowls or beds if you want to travel light. That’s because those two, along with some treats, are provided by the hotel. Another plus of staying in this area is that it’s easy to find some grassy spots. And if you’re too tired to explore, you can check out the on-site pet relief area.

The Westin Sacramento, Sacramento

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One can’t go wrong by staying at a Westin hotel. If you happen to be traveling to Sacramento soon with your four-legged friend, why not spend your nights here? The Westin Sacramento is set on the banks of the river and is one of those few hotels in the city that knows how to treat animals well. Here, guests are allowed to bring up to two dogs under 50 lbs. Our dogs were small, so that wasn’t a problem. We also paid an additional pet fee of 100 USD for the entire stay. However, you should note that this is a dog-only hotel. Sorry, cat parents!

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This hotel is super-duper thoughtful. During our stay, our dogs were given not only dog treats but also beds and bowls. If your dog needs to go do its business, there’s a grassy area on-site, so you don’t have to go too far. Plus, you can ask for waste bags from the hotel, too. Thankfully, during our trip, we could leave our little buddies in the room alone for a while. That way, we were able to take a dip in the outdoor pool and work out in the fitness center.

Carmel Valley Ranch, Carmel

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From its amenities to its service, Carmel Valley Ranch passed all of our tests with flying colors. We brought two of four dogs with us when we were there, and we had to pay an extra pet fee of 175 USD for each pet for the entire stay. What’s good about this hotel is that it doesn’t have any pet weight restrictions. No matter how big your dog is, feel free to bring them as long as they’re well-behaved. Oh, have we told you that cats are also allowed here?

Some people may say the fee is expensive, however, we think it’s worth the extra money. During check-in, the staff gave our dogs pet bowls, beds, and treats. Better yet, since our dogs were quiet and friendly, they were allowed to be left unattended in our room. After a good night’s sleep, we would wake up the next morning and enjoy a hearty breakfast at the restaurant. The best part was that our dogs were allowed to eat with us in the outdoor area.

3 Peaks Resort & Beach Club, South Lake Tahoe

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Best for Outdoor Enthusiasts. Close to everything and extremely accommodating, the 3 Peaks Resort & Beach Club is another favorite of ours. Personally, we think this is the perfect option for outdoor enthusiast and their active and healthy canines. That’s because it’s surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains. Make sure to bring all your hiking gear as well as a hiking backpack and harness for your dogs. Unfortunately, like some other pet-friendly California hotels, cats aren’t allowed here.

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Based on our experience, we can confidently say that the pet policy here is amazing. Here, guests are allowed to bring up to two dogs with them regardless of their size. We paid an additional fee of 30 USD for each of our dogs for every night. But considering the extras and the friendliness of the staff, we didn’t mind paying that amount. Though dogs may not be left alone, you can always bring them to nearby pet-friendly spots. Also, there’s a pet relief area on-site.

Ocean Villa Inn, San Diego

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Best for Multiple Dogs. When in San Diego with your furry pal, you should consider staying at Ocean Villa Inn. This is an oasis for dogs and their owners. First of all, this inn is only steps away from the beach. Because of this, we were able to enjoy the sand with our favorite animal. In addition to its amazing location, this accommodation also offered us an on-site dog wash station, which was great since we always prioritize hygiene. Better yet, we were provided with free towels and shampoo. Our dogs really loved the front beach views of this hotel, along with its amenities.

For those who are wondering, we did pay an additional pet fee during our stay. This pet-friendly hotel in San Diego welcomes two dogs of any size on its property, but cats aren’t accepted. Those who bring two dogs like us will have to pay 30 USD for the entire stay. However, those who bring three or four dogs have to pay 50 USD and 75 USD, respectively. By the way, make sure to also check out the grassy area right behind the hotel!

Inn of the Lost Coast, Shelter Cove

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Set along the Lost Coast is Inn of the Lost Coast, one of the best pet-friendly hotels in California. One of the main reasons why we included this accommodation is because of its service. The staff members here were all super nice and kind to us and our Fido. We had one dog with us when we were there, and he was spoiled with not only treats but also bowls and beds. We were also given a list of the most recommended pet-friendly spots in the area. Thanks to the list, we managed to go to Black Sands Beach, a pet-friendly beach where our dog was able to run off-leash. The best part was that it was only a mile away from the hotel.

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Did we pay any additional pet fees? Yes, we paid 15 USD for every night we spent at the hotel. Speaking of the pet policy, this hotel welcomes up to two pets, and cats are allowed, too. However, they shouldn’t weigh more than 40 lbs. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate how the hotel offers all its guests plenty of outdoor space? Thus, pet owners will have an easy time taking their pets for a quick walk.

Tradewinds Carmel, Carmel

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Want to get away from all the hustle and bustle? Escape that hectic atmosphere and have a tranquil vacation with your favorite four-legged friend at Tradewinds Carmel. This is one charming boutique hotel that’s not too far from the downtown area and offers nothing but a peaceful stay. Here, both cats and dogs are accepted. When we were there, we brought two dogs, so we had to pay 100 USD per night. The fee was actually only 50 USD per pet. When we were busy during check-in, our dogs were also kept busy by one staff member who gave them a few scratches and treats.

Our room was clean, big, and comfortable. There was even a cozy seating area from where we could take in the outside views. Though there weren’t many pet relief areas on-site, we were able to find some in the hotel’s vicinity. At one point, we ran out of waste bags, but thankfully the hotel provided us with some. Also, don’t forget to socialize and let your dog make some new friends in the outdoor lounge areas.

Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey

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Going back to Monterey, we want to show you the Portola Hotel & Spa. This is a refined spa hotel only a short walk away from the bay. As you can guess from its name, this is one of the most ideal places for guests who are into self-pampering. However, did you know it’s also pet-friendly? Here, guests are allowed to bring two pets for an additional fee of 50 USD for each of them. The fee is for every night, but you don’t have to deal with any pet weight restrictions. During our stay, we also witnessed some cat owners along with their kitties. So, feel free to also bring your favorite cat with you!

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Everyone here was super friendly and kind to us. During check-in, our dogs were spoiled by the staff members, and they gave our furry friends dog beds, treats, and bowls. Our nautical-themed room was nothing but spacious and cozy. Though our dogs weren’t permitted to be left alone in the room, this was never a problem as we could take them to the grassy area near the hotel and explore the area’s most pet-friendly spots. No wonder it’s named one of the top pet-friendly hotels in Monterey, California!

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, Sacramento

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Most Inclusive. We’ve heard tons of good things about Sacramento’s Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, so it was a must for us to stay there. Conveniently set in the heart of downtown, this hotel is close to all the attractions, including some of the most pet-friendly spots in the city. But its pet policy is what makes it a gem. When we visited this hotel, we had a dog with us, but the hotel accepted him without weighing him. Yep, the hotel welcomes pets of any size. In addition to being able to bring two pets with you, this hotel doesn’t charge you any additional fee. Talk about value for money!

We were surprised by the generosity of this hotel, and we were even more impressed when we saw cats and exotic pets on the property. This is one of those rare accommodations that accepts all kinds of animals. All guests with pets were assigned to the sixth floor, and we stayed there, too. The room was big, and whenever we wanted to leave our doggie, we would place the “Pet In Room” sign on the door. And if you decide to stay here, don’t forget to get the dog beds, bowls, and treats at the front desk. For more similar hotels, check out these pet-friendly hotels in Sacramento, California!

LOGE Mt. Shasta, Mount Shasta

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Best Pet Policy. For the ultimate experience with your pet, we can’t think of anything better than LOGE Mt. Shasta. This accommodation used to be an old motel. It has become a favorite place among outdoor enthusiasts and pet owners. Surrounded by pine trees, this property allowed two of our pets to stay with us. We paid an extra pet fee of 25 USD for each of them for the entire stay, and it was honestly cheap. When we arrived, our dogs were spoilt by the staff members. If you want to travel light, you can also talk to the staff members to get the “Pup It Up” add-on, which includes a dog bed, bowl, leash from Ruffwear, a pet toy, and some treats.

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“As both a pet owner and outdoor enthusiast, it’s hard not to favor LOGE Mt. Shasta. The pet policy was easy to follow, and the staff members knew how to treat our pets well.”

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Are you a cat person? Fret not! This is an inclusive place where cats are also welcomed with open arms. In addition to that, we were also allowed to leave our dogs in the room as long as they were inside their crate. We were super excited as it meant we were able to do the things we couldn’t do with our dogs. But we never left them for too long as they were allowed to explore the lodging’s outdoor social areas with us, and there was also a fenced relief area on-site.

Our Verdict!

All of the accommodations above can be a great home for you and your pet. However, if you need a quick summary, you can take a look at the list below! We’ve categorized some of the hotels according to the following criteria:

• Best Pet Policy: LOGE Mt. Shasta, Mount Shasta
• Most Inclusive: Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, Sacramento
• Best for Multiple Dogs: Ocean Villa Inn, San Diego
• Best for Outdoor Enthusiasts: 3 Peaks Resort & Beach Club, South Lake Tahoe

Where To Stay in California with Your Pet

California is home to countless must-visit destinations. However, when you want to come with your pet, these places have a special spot in our hearts. The first is San Diego. This is a popular destination thanks to its stunning beaches, mild climate, and the San Diego Zoo. It’s also home to many dog-friendly beaches and parks.

Another Southern California destination your pet would most likely love is Sacramento. Rich in history and culture, you should bring your pet to Old Sacramento Waterfront. It’s a dog-friendly district with tons of activities to do.

The neighboring cities of Carmel and Monterey are also worth visiting. Home to the dog-friendly Carmel Beach, the former is where you’ll find sandy beaches, a charming village atmosphere, and a vibrant art scene. The latter, on the other hand, is a beautiful city with plenty of major attractions, including Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more. You and your dog can enjoy various outdoor activities together.

Pet-Friendly Restaurants / Bars in California

• Casa de Freds Tacos y Tequila – Aside from offering lip-smacking Mexican menus, this place also offers affordable dog menus. Enjoy your food while your dog is served scrambled eggs and sliced carne asada.
• Happy Girl Kitchen Co. – With organic and fresh options, this restaurant will make everyone happy, including your canine. You can enjoy every bite of your food on the outdoor patio accompanied by your furry friend.

Pet-Friendly Activities In California

• Bring your dog to North Natomas Regional Dog Park – Offering two acres of fenced space; this is the place to be for dogs to run around and have fun. There’s a designated area for smaller dogs under 25 lbs, too. Waste stations, water bowls, and benches are all available.
• Enjoy the sand on Carmel Beach – Those going to Carmel must bring their dogs to Carmel Beach. One of the city’s most popular spots, you can walk your dog here, and they’re also free to roam off-leash.

Best Pet Stores In California

• City Dog – Let your puppy have the best time of their life at this San Diego pet boutique! From teeth brushing to nail trimming and haircut, your dog will look super fresh once they leave the store.
• Incredible Pets – This store has multiple locations throughout California. The pet accessories and food here are affordable, and the staff members are all knowledgeable.