A Long Weekend Getaway to Mendocino: Best Dog-Friendly Itinerary
Traveled in August 2020
Mendocino, located north of the Bay Area, is the perfect combination of rugged California coast and charming small town. Mendocino is also very dog-friendly, so it’s the perfect place for a long weekend escape with your favorite doggo. None of the hikes included here are especially challenging, so you could easily bring a small kiddo along on this trip as well. We did not have a kiddo yet when we traveled here so I did not look for any especially kid-friendly activities, but sprinkle a playground or two in to this itinerary and it could work!
There are so many ways to enjoy the majesty of the California coast in this region, from hikes along the coast to scenic beaches. We traveled just after the pandemic when things were opening up again, and it was so therapeutic to be out enjoying nature again. It was especially fun seeing our city dog experience the great outdoors for the first time. We brought our dog everywhere with us during this trip, so all the activities are dog-friendly. If you’re looking to spend a long weekend bonding in the outdoors with your dog, look no further than a road trip to Mendocino!
- When to Go
- How to Get There
- Where to Stay in Mendocino with Dog
- Long Weekend Dog-Friendly Mendocino Itinerary
- Long Weekend Dog-Friendly Mendocino Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1: Highway 128 Wine Road and Mendocino Headlands State Park
- Day 2: Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden and Point Cabrillo Lighthouse
- Pack Your Leash – Book Your Dog Friendly Mendocino Getaway Today!
- Day 3: Fort Bragg Glass Beach and Russian Gulch State Park
When to Go
Mendocino is really a year round destination. We visited in August, and while there was some morning fog, it burned off by mid-morning. Being on the coast, the weather in Mendocino is pretty temperate, so you won’t find scorching hot or freezing temperatures no matter when you travel.
How to Get There
Mendocino is about a 3-4 hour drive north from the Bay Area, depending on traffic. If flying to the Bay Area, the most convenient airport would be San Francisco International airport (airport code SFO). This was the first mini road trip that we did with our dog to test how she would do on long car rides. Parts of the drive to Mendocino are on a pretty windy road, so if you have a dog that gets carsick easily then keep that in mind. Our dog made it through without vomiting, so I would count that as a win!
Where to Stay in Mendocino with Dog
There are many dog-friendly inns and hotels in the Mendocino area. However, our dog is noise sensitive so we were afraid she would bark too much if we stayed in close proximity to others in a hotel situation.
We opted for a VRBO in Fort Bragg at the Historic Weller House. We stayed in the converted water tower, which was a unique stay. You can also stay in the Annex of the Weller House, which was the former farmhouse. There is something romantic and charming about staying in historic properties, and the views from the top of the water tower were an added bonus.
The Cottages at Little River Cove are a little further south from Mendocino, but some of these cute cottages have amazing ocean views. These freestanding cottages have the perfect mix of privacy with the convenience of being run by a hotel.
One of our friends recently stayed with their dog at the Stanford Inn & Resort and recommended it. You can even rent an outrigger that is specially designed to include pets to explore the river with your dog!
If those stays are all booked up, check out these other dog-friendly stays in Mendocino and Fort Bragg. Imagine waking up to some of these amazing ocean views right outside your window!
Long Weekend Dog-Friendly Mendocino Itinerary
Long Weekend Dog-Friendly Mendocino Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Highway 128 Wine Road – Mendocino Headlands State Park.
Day 2: Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden – Point Cabrillo Lighthouse.
Day 3: Fort Bragg Glass Beach – Russian Gulch State Park.
Day 1: Highway 128 Wine Road and Mendocino Headlands State Park
Highway 128 Wine Road
The drive from the Bay Area to Mendocino takes 3-4 hours, but you can break up that drive by taking a winery detour through Highway 128, nicknamed the Wine Road for all the wineries on it. Dog-friendly Navarro Vineyards & Winery is one example (open 9am-6pm in summer, closes at 5pm in winter). It was not open for wine tastings when we traveled, but we did pick up some wine and non-alcoholic grape juice to go and it was all delicious! It looks like it is now open for wine tastings and dogs are allowed, and they even have a fenced in pet exercise area. A short drive away is Philo Apple Farm, which has a farm stand where you can pick up jams, jellies, and of course, apples. The Highway 128 Wine Road is about 45 min away from Mendocino.
Other dog-friendly wineries on Highway 128:
Toulouse Vineyards & Winery: open 11am-4pm, tastings by appointment only
Husch Vineyards & Winery: open 10am-5pm, walk ins accepted
Mendocino Headlands State Park
In Mendocino, get your first taste of the coastline by walking the Mendocino Headlands Bluff Trail at Mendocino Headlands State Park. Your dog will enjoy the interesting smell of the salty sea air, and you can enjoy the magnificent views of the sea arches popping up from the ocean. And everyone will enjoy stretching your legs after your long car ride. There is a free parking lot at the end of Heeser Drive.
Since we stayed in Fort Bragg, we grabbed some tasty fish and chips and fish tacos at Noyo Fish Company, which is right on the water. There is outdoor seating that is dog-friendly.
Day 2: Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden and Point Cabrillo Lighthouse
Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden is a collection of beautifully manicured gardens featuring different flowers. There is a trail that loops through the different gardens, and also takes you along the coastal bluff that the garden sits on. One of my friends said that it’s a sign we are getting old when we enjoy looking at flowers. But I think people of all ages can appreciate this combination of beautiful blooms and coastal views. Best of all, dogs are welcome and enjoy free admission! Usually beautiful gardens don’t allow dogs, so I always bookmark the ones that do. Dogs are allowed on leash.
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden is located halfway between Mendocino and Fort Bragg. There is a (small) free parking lot.
Stop for lunch at the GoodLife Cafe and Bakery in Mendocino. You’ll spot it by the long line out front! We had the best Reuben of our life here, but sadly when a friend went recently they said it was no longer on the menu. There is outdoor seating that is dog-friendly.
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse
Next, visit the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse and explore the hiking trails around Point Cabrillo. This is another coastal hike with views of the ocean crashing into the cliffs. Dogs are allowed on leash.
If you’re into craft breweries, North Coast Brewing Company has a restaurant with dog-friendly outdoor seating. The food was your typical pub food, but my husband enjoyed the beer.
Day 3: Fort Bragg Glass Beach and Russian Gulch State Park
Fort Bragg Glass Beach
The Glass Beach in Fort Bragg is more beach than glass these days, though there are areas where there are more handfuls of colorful glass sparkling in the sand. It’s still interesting to see, but don’t expect the entire beach to be covered with sea glass. There are tide pools all around the beach to explore as well. There is a free parking lot next to the beach. Dogs are allowed on leash.
We stopped for lunch at the GoodLife Cafe again (seriously, the Reuben was THAT good that we went twice in 2.5 days). Another yummy looking lunch option is The Brickery (by popular Cafe Beaujolais) for pizzas.
Russian Gulch State Park
Before driving home, there is time for one more hike at Russian Gulch state park. The headlands trail is dog-friendly and has more amazing views of the rugged coastline. The trail starts at a cluster of picnic tables overlooking the bridge and leads you by the roiling waters of the park’s sinkhole, the Devil’s Punchbowl. Dogs allowed on leash. There is a small fee to enter the park. After paying at the park entrance, head right at the fork in the road. The first parking area is for the bridge viewpoint.
From Mendocino, the drive back to the Bay Area takes about 3-4 hours.
Other Mendocino area Dog-Friendly Activities:
- Noyo Headlands Trail: a 5 mile paved trail along the coast in Fort Bragg. The northern entrance is near Glass Beach so could be a nice hike after the beach. Dogs allowed on leash.
- Skunk Train: a 75 min train ride through the redwoods, departing from Fort Bragg. Dogs allowed on leash. The rail bikes also look fun, but dogs are not allowed on those.
Ready to set off on another California long weekend road trip with your pup?
Check out my dog-friendly itinerary to the central California coast, San Diego, Mendocino, Monterey, and Lake Tahoe for more fun!
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