Favorite Pet-Friendly Spots in the West

“Enjoy the beautiful shoreline with your dog on a walk or bike ride along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, California. Be sure to stop at Mitchell’s Cove Beach, often called ‘Dog Beach’ by locals. Leashed dogs are always allowed, though before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m they can run free. It’s a great place to watch the sunset while your animal pal plays with other pups near the water.” —Elena Baryshnikova

“Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile in Kanab, Utah, knows how to make pets and people comfortable. The 40-room hotel is affiliated with the nearby Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and it offers lots of dog- and cat-friendly amenities, including pet beds, built-in cubbies, dog-washing stations, and a dog park with a splash pad. It’s also close to many pet-friendly trails, including the Jackson Flat Reservoir.” —Sherri Vail

“In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, gently float down the Snake River with your furry adventurer on a guided tour with Black Dog Raft Company. You’ll get a great view of the Teton Mountains, and you might spot bald eagles, blue herons, river otters, moose, and other wild critters along the way. Just be sure your dog can sit calmly for about two hours on the raft.” —Luna Walker

“Leashed pets are permitted inside the exhibit halls at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. We ended up exploring the museum for half the day, and we left feeling like we could visit again and again. They have so many exhibits and aircrafts on display. Less surprisingly, most state parks in Utah are very dog friendly, so they make for good add-on stops when visiting the state’s 'Mighty Five' national parks. For example, Dead Horse Point State Park is a very short detour on the way to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park.” —Chris Schlieter

“There are dogs everywhere in Prescott, Arizona. Most hotels and rentals allow animals. Merchants put out water bowls and most let pets in their stores. And a lot of restaurants have tables outside, where you can dine with your canine companion. The town also has great lakes, hiking, and parks, and it’s near Sedona, Verde Canyon Railroad, and other wonderful places to visit.” —Bruce Nussbaum

“Adega Azul Wine Bar in Berkeley, California, is a super down-to-earth, casual space with wine by the glass or bottle. The interior is cozy and there’s also a stylish outdoor patio. The owner is a dog lover and she welcomes them enthusiastically in both the indoor and outdoor spaces.” —Juliana Sorem

“Dogs on leashes or in strollers are free to relax on the patio at Serafina Coffee Roasters, a family-owned and -operated cafe in Phoenix, Arizona. They have a water bowl outside and dog biscuits on a tray inside. For a real treat, order yourself a homemade pastry and ask for a pup pop for your pooch.” —Catherine L. Droz

“Marin County, California, has the best weather, views, and trails for hiking with dogs. I especially recommend Oakwood Valley Trail, where dogs under voice control can roam off leash.” —Ellyn Weisel 

“The owners of Four Legs Brewing in Brentwood, California, adore dogs and welcome them with treats. Good beer is brewed on the premises, and most evenings a food truck pulls up alongside the patio.” —Dave Stoeffler