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One of our favorite stops during our California Coast road trip was Mendocino and what surprised me the most was how dog friendly this charming little town was. Even though you can’t take pets on State Park trails, you can still take them to beaches, picnic areas, activities, campgrounds, and some lodging.
Mendocino Dog Friendly Hotels
Little River Inn
We absolutely loved our stay in Little River Inn. It was close to town and cozy but our favorite part was the VIEW from the deck. Make sure you book an oceanfront room to wake up to the rugged coastline of Mendocino. They also had a great restaurant/bar where we had drinks & apps. If you don’t feel like leaving your room, you can request your meals to be delivered. Check Best Rates
Disclaimer: Not all rooms are dog friendly in the Little River Inn so make sure to double check prior to booking.
Wine Barrel Home (ocean views!) Vrbo
Someone from my social media community recommended this and they had high praises for this Vrbo home. The views are incredible, there’s a hot tub, and the price is very fair for the area. Book on Vrbo.
Mendocino Campgrounds
Every campground we’ve stayed at in Mendocino has been dog friendly. Russian Gulch State Park, Van Damme, and Albion River were all great options. Just make sure to book your campsite way ahead of time or keep an eye out for cancellations. Tip: Recreation.gov typically releases cancellations around 8am daily.
Dog Friendly Beaches in Mendocino
Big River Beach
This is the biggest and most popular beach in Mendocino. It can get crowded on weekends but there’s enough room for everyone to spread out. You and your dog can also enjoy other activities in Big River like renting a canoe from CatchaCanoe.
Russian Gulch Beach
Just because you can’t take your dog to the trails in Russian Gulch, doesn’t mean you can’t take them to the beach. The beach here is small but scenic with a view of the bridge. While you’re in Russian Gulch State Park, make sure to check out the picnic area since it’s dog friendly and has the best view in Mendocino in my humble opinion.
Pudding Creek Beach
If you prefer a lesser known beach, head 15 minutes to Fort Bragg and check out Pudding Creek Beach. The parking lot is tiny but hardly anyone comes to this area so it’ll feel a lot more secluded compared to the other beaches. Our dog doesn’t love other dogs so this was the perfect beach to let her run around.
Portuguese Beach
Another favorite is Portuguese Beach. We didn’t get a chance to visit this beach but we’ve heard great things and it looks very picturesque. Definitely somewhere we will check out next time we’re in the area.
Mendocino Dog Friendly Activities
Ride the Skunk Train
The Skunk train offers several activities. We did the Train ride to Glen Blair bar which was a fun, unique experience in the redwoods! We took the scenic train ride to a barn in the middle of the forest with drinks and live music. Alternatively, you can pedal the railway to Pudding Creek using this booking link
Visit Mendocino Headlands State Park
Unlike the other State Parks in the area, you can actually take your dog on the trails in Mendocino Headlands State Park. The coastal trails are incredibly scenic and makes for a great nature walk. Make sure to check out the bluffs, natural bridges, and go tide-pooling when the weather allows.
Hit the water (paddleboard, kayak, or rent a canoe)
If you have a dog that enjoys the water, there are plenty of places where you can go to enjoy a day out on the water. Rent a kayak from Albion River Campground and see the abandoned floating homes on the river or canoe on the Big River with CatchACanoe. Both of these areas are stunning and you can’t go wrong with either one. Tip: Make sure to check the wind and tides before going. We’ve paddled back against the tide in Albion River and that was rough.
Dog Friendly Restaurants in Mendocino
Mendocino has some great food options and most of them have outdoor patios. Some of our favorites are:
Brickery Pizza
The pizza here was SO good and they have a large outdoor area. It is popular so seating can fill up quick but this is for good reason. Don’t leave Mendocino without stopping here for lunch.
Luna Trattoria
This was our favorite restaurant in Mendocino. Their outdoor garden patio is so cute and the food was delicious. It is best to make a reservation here ahead of time even during the week. We’ve seen groups walk in and not get a table.
Want a full Mendocino guide? Check out my Mendocino Must Visit Places blog.