Best Dog-Friendly Activities to Enjoy in Mendocino
The Northern California coastal town of Mendocino is one of the most dog-friendly towns out there. The rugged coastline is stunning and there is so much natural beauty to enjoy. The best part is that so many of these hikes actually welcome dogs! My fellow dog mamas know the sadness of finding an amazing hike or activity and then finding out dogs are not allowed. But this list of dog friendly activities in Mendocino has you covered because every activity is dog approved! If you are ready to plan a road trip to Mendocino to spend a weekend in nature with your dog, keep reading for some travel inspiration and start planning with our complete long weekend in Mendocino dog friendly itinerary!
1. Highway 128 Wine Road
Highway 128 is on the way to Mendocino and a great detour for some wine tasting. It is nicknamed the wine road because of all the wineries along the highway. Many of them are dog friendly, like Navarro Vineyards & Winery, Toulouse Vineyards & Winery, and Husch Vineyards & Winery. As a bonus, Philo Apple Farm is a short drive away, which has a farm stand where you can pick up jams, jellies, and of course, apples.
Looking for dog friendly accommodations in Mendocino? Check out our recommendations for the best accommodations in Mendocino that welcome your furry friend!
2. Mendocino Headlands State Park
I am all about the state parks these days because they tend to be dog friendly whereas national parks usually are not! At the Mendocino Headlands State Park in Mendocino, take your dog to the Mendocino Headlands Bluff Trail for a whiff of the salty sea air, and you can enjoy the magnificent views of the sea arches popping up from the ocean.
3. 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. Best of all, dogs are welcome and enjoy free admission! Usually beautiful gardens don’t allow dogs, so I make sure to bookmark the ones that do.
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4. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse
The Point Cabrillo Lighthouse is a Mendocino landmark. Surrounding the lighthouse is another dog friendly coastal hike with dramatic views of the ocean crashing into the cliffs.
5. 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. There are tide pools all around the beach to explore as well. Dogs are welcome on leash.
6. Noyo Headlands Trail
The Noyo Headlands Trail is a dog friendly 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.
7. Russian Gulch State Park
The headlands trail in Russian Gulch State Park is another dog-friendly hike 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.
8. Skunk Train
The Skunk Train is a a 75 min train ride through the redwoods, departing from Fort Bragg. It’s not often that dogs are allowed on train rides, much less scenic train rides through a redwood forest. If your dog is afraid of loud noises this might not be the best outing, but it’s definitely a unique experience for the adventurous pups!
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