When thinking about some of the most dog-friendly places we’ve visited, Mendocino always ranks high on our list. For us, what makes a location truly dog-friendly is when dogs aren’t just allowed, but they are welcomed. That’s exactly what we found on our most recent visit to Mendocino, and we’ve gathered some of the best activities, hikes, restaurants, and of course, a luxury hotel to rest after a full day of adventures.
Best Time to Visit
We wouldn’t say there’s a wrong time to visit Mendocino, but fall is certainly hard to beat. It’s not too hot and bugs aren’t out in full force. It’s not yet rainy season, and you’re likely to see some color on the trees and on the vines at the local vineyards. Spring and summer can also be lovely times of the year. We visited in June about two years ago, and it was the perfect time to go camping. We would recommend determining which activities you would like to do on the trip, and choosing which season lends itself best to those experiences.
Dog-Friendly Activities
The best thing about visiting Mendocino with your dog is that you aren’t limited to only hiking and visiting restaurants with patios. There are many unique, dog-friendly activities that you can experience together. In our opinion, these kinds of experiences are what make a trip memorable for years to come.
Catch a Canoe at Stanford Inn
It’s not every day you get to hop in a canoe with your dog and explore along the river. Catch a Canoe launches on Big River. The views alone are stunning, and it’s also very likely to see harbor seals along the way. This was Phoebe’s first canoe experience, and to be honest, she scared us a couple of times thinking she might try to jump in the water – her swim lessons are certainly paying off! But we weren’t prepared to give her a full bath on this trip, so we wanted to keep her in the boat. Luckily, the canoes are very stable, which makes it easier to bring along a wiggly dog or child. Life vests, dry bags and all other equipment needed for the trip is available with the 3-hour rental.
Skunk Train
This is an activity we’ve done before, and one that we were excited to experience again! The Skunk Train is located in downtown Fort Bragg and offers a variety of railway experiences perfect for the whole family. They have rail bikes for a more adventurous option, or a super chill ride to and from Glen Blair Bar out in the redwoods. We chose the night ride to Glen Blair Bar and it didn’t disappoint! Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on the train and at the destination, where they also have live music, games, and fire pits. You cannot bring your own alcohol, but snacks from home are welcome!
We do recommend that you only bring a pup along if they are well-behaved and not reactive to other dogs, as it’s very likely to come across other pups on the trip. They need their own ticket, which may be booked online. Kids are also welcome, and there are a variety of themed rides offered around the holidays.
Hiking at Mendocino Headlands and Russian Gulch State Parks
The thing we love about state parks, is that they often have a variety of dog-friendly trails. Mendocino Headlands is a beautiful coastal state park that allows dogs throughout. The views and the rock formations are like no other. It reminds us so much of Big Sur, but without all the crowds.
Russian Gulch also offers some dog-friendly trails. The hike to Devil’s Punch Bowl is dog-friendly, as is everything on the coastal side of Highway 1. Important to note, dogs are not allowed on Fern Canyon Trail.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Wineries
Lula Cellars
After years of visiting Napa, it seems that many people sleep on Anderson Valley as a wine destination. Lula Cellars is a boutique winery known for its Pinot Noir varietals. The property is beautiful, especially the views from the top of the hill, where there are views of many surrounding vineyards. This view alone is why we highly recommend visiting in the fall; the vineyards were completely golden, and we just don’t get fall colors like that in the Bay Area. Phoebe was happily greeted and welcomed to sit on the patio with us. In addition to the Pinots that they are known for, we also highly recommend trying out the Gewürztraminer – it is one of our favorite wines we tasted.
Toulouse Vineyards
Another amazing dog-friendly option. Not only were the wines delicious, but the back deck offers stunning views of the valley, and reservations are not required, which makes it a perfect stop while road-tripping to or from the area.
Princess Seafood
This hidden gem at Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg offered some of the freshest seafood we’ve tasted. The dog-friendly deck is located right on the water and offers a beautiful view while dining. They are not open during dinner hours, but it’s a perfect stop for a late lunch! We recommend trying the poke bowl and spicy crab dip!
North Coast Brewing Company
A perfect lunch or dinner stop in downtown Fort Bragg. The brewery has a pub with a full menu of appetizers and entrees, and the beer is some of our favorite in the area. They have a dog-friendly, covered patio, which makes it a great option if you visit in late fall or winter when rain is likely.
Where to Stay
Noyo Harbor Inn
Noyo Harbor is a luxury hotel in Fort Bragg, making it the perfect home base for all of our favorite activities. The rooms are beautifully curated, and the staff is so friendly and welcoming. The most thoughtful touch is the small, off-leash dog park on the property. This isn’t something we’ve experienced in all our years of traveling with dogs in tow, and it made all the difference in our stay. It is the perfect place to let a pup run out all their energy before heading to dinner at Harbor View Bistro and Bar, which is also located on the property. The dog-friendly patio seating has the best views in the restaurant, overlooking the harbor. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you might even hear the harbor seals while dining.
Most rooms have views of the harbor or the coast, and we were lucky enough to have room with a balcony, which made for some gorgeous sunsets. The room also had a separate seating area and a very large bathtub. While none of the rooms have air conditioning, they all have screened windows to keep it cool at night. Some rooms also have fireplaces to keep it extra cozy if the temperature drops too low. Overall, we had an excellent stay and it will be our go-to choice for future trips to Mendocino.
Are you ready to book your trip yet?! We can’t recommend Mendocino enough, and at only three hours from the Bay Area, it’s a perfect weekend getaway! Check out our instagram here, and look for the Mendocino highlight for even more information. Our DMs are always open if you have questions while planning!
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