Paws for an Overnight Break in Mendocino County

The summer crowds are gone, cool weather has set in and Mendocino lodging properties are tempting visitors with low-season specials. The boutique Little River Inn, a bluff-top property with sweeping ocean views, leads the pet-friendly pack by offering 25 percent off on any room if booked by Nov. 15 for a minimum two-night stay between Nov. 26 and Dec. 21.

The Little River Inn has graciously greeted guests and their dogs for five generations, providing designated on-leash walking areas complete with waste bag dispensers and disposable receptacles, cover sheets for furniture, water and food dish, a pet towel, disposable waste bags and “welcome” treats. You can dine with your dog in the parlor, pro shop and of course, in your room.

Another fine choice: the Beachcomber Motel in Fort Bragg, which has its own fenced, off-leash dog area and offers “pet suites” in addition to regular rooms with fireplaces and panoramic views. Also in Fort Bragg, the pet-friendly, 30-room Beach House Inn is just a 500-foot walk from the beach and comes with many amenities, including soaking tubs for two. Nearby, and so close to the sea you’ll be lulled to sleep by the shushing surf, is Surf & Sand Lodge, walking distance to downtown Fort Bragg as well as water’s edge.

Fort Bragg, by the way, has two places for your pup to play off-leash: the Fort Bragg Dog Park and Noyo Beach, a small but popular strand by the harbor, where the Noyo River enters the Pacific. Insider tip: After visiting the beach, trot on over to Nemo’s Fish Market and Grill on North Harbor Drive, where you and your pup can sit on the deck and have lunch.

Posted on: June 30, 2022