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Vacationing with your pet on the Coast is a delight for both owners and pets. Your pet will be as stimulated as you by the sights, sounds and smells of this coastal paradise. And there’s no lack of activities to embark upon.

There are many choices for pet-friendly lodging, dining and activities, for up-to-date information contact the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce.

Outdoor Activities

Dogs may accompany you while sport fishing and whale watching; charter boats depart from Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg.

Take a stroll through the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, 18220 N. Hwy 1, Fort Bragg, 707-964-4352 or take in the sights at Point Cabrillo Light Station, 45300 Point Cabrillo Dr., Mendocino, 707-937-6124.

You can paddle up Big River in a canoe from Catch a Canoe & Bicycles, Too, located at Highway 1 & Comptche-Ukiah Rd, Mendocino, 707-937-0273.

Your dog can accompany you for a stroll along these beaches; however, pets must be on a leash at all times.

• Big River Beach, N. Big River Road, Mendocino
• Portuguese Beach, Mendocino Headlands, Mendocino
• Van Damme State Beach, Highway 1, Mendocino
• Caspar Beach, 14441 Point Cabrillo Dr., Caspar
• MacKerricher State Park, Highway 1, Fort Bragg

Thanks to the efforts of a Fort Bragg dog-lovers group, your dog can enjoy an off-leash experience at Noyo Beach. Off Highway 1, take North Harbor Drive, follow it all the way to the end and park below the Noyo Bridge. The dogs need to be on a leash in the parking lot, but once on the sand they are allowed to be off-leash. Pomo Bluffs Park offers spectacular views with outlook points for walking with your leashed pet. Located on Todd’s Point off Highway 1, take Ocean View Drive to Cliff Way. There is also a new off-leash dog park in Fort Bragg at Willow and Lincoln Streets. Take Maple Street east from Highway One (Main Street) until it ends at the dog park on Lincoln St.

In addition to beaches, State Parks are abundant in this area. State Park policy — the leash must be no longer than 6 feet, and in most cases, dogs are allowed in campgrounds, but not on park trails. Areas include: Mendocino Headlands State Park, Off Heeser Drive in Mendocino, and Pomo Bluffs Park in Fort Bragg.

Shopping

Even shopping is a viable activity, due to the large number of pet-friendly stores in the Mendocino Village, as well as along Main and Franklin streets in Fort Bragg. Be sure to ask permission to enter with your pet, and in some stores, owners prefer that you carry your pet. (It keeps curious noses out of low-lying merchandise!)

Take-Out, Restaurants & Coffee Shops

There are many opportunities in the area for a picnic with your pet. Supplies and an assortment of ready-made food are available in the local grocery stores and delis. Sometimes you’re just in need of a hot meal and both Fort Bragg and Mendocino offer a variety of choices in both setting and cuisine.