Carmel-by-the-Sea: Dog Heaven on Earth

 

 

CARMEL, California– Carmel-by-the-Sea is a perfect dog-friendly destination. Many of the city's hotels, restaurants, shops and galleries welcome canine companions, with some going as far as to offer special doggie menus and treats.

 

According to Mayor Sue McCloud, dogs and people have lived together and been part of each other's lives from the very beginning of Carmel-by-the-Sea. “Four- legged residents and visitors are welcomed with dog biscuits in our stores, banks, galleries, City Hall, perambulating down Ocean Avenue and running freely on our mile long beach. One restaurant even features a doggie menu at its outside tables!”

 

Dining For Doggies

A favorite among locals, The Forge In The Forest offers not only a great human menu, but more surprising is its "Dog Pound” menu, sporting such delicacies as a Hot Diggity Dog, a Quarter Hounder or for the simpler palate, a bowl of kibble. Porta Bella is another dog-friendly restaurant. A regular dog bowl doesn’t cut it there: waiters bring pups water in a champagne bucket.

 

Carmel’s other restaurants that host dogs include Casanova, Grasings (co-owned by renowned food critic, Narsai David), Anton & Michel Restaurant, Le Coq D’or (waiters bring a baggie of dog treats), among others.  The Barnyard Shopping Village also has dog-friendly dining in Allegro Gourmet and Bahama Billy’s.

 

Lapping Up Luxury

 

At the Cypress Inn, man's best friend is the guest of honor. Actress Doris Day, a keen animal lover, and her partners, the late Terry Melcher and Dennis LeVett bought the hotel in 1986 and immediately instituted a pets-welcome policy. The 44-room inn continues to be entirely open to dogs and provides doggie blankets, beds, bowls, and lots of biscuits. As part of the evening turn-down service, owners get chocolate and dogs get biscuits. A dog sitter can also be arranged.

 

Other hotels that welcome dogs include Carmel Country Inn, Wayside Inn, Lamp Lighter Inn, Lincoln Green Inn, Casa De Carmel, Coachman’s Inn, Vagabond’s House Inn, Tradewinds Carmel, Hofsas House, and more. Nearby pet-friendly accommodations include The Lodge at Pebble Beach and Carmel Valley’s Blue Sky Lodge.

 

 

Doggin' Around Town

Visitors to Carmel discover that much of the town welcomes dogs. Visitors and residents alike walk their dogs unleashed on Carmel Beach, always rated one of the top walking beaches in the U.S. by travel magazines.

 

For shoppers, the Carmel Plaza has over 50 shops that embrace Carmel's love of dogs. The Plaza recently unveiled Carmel's latest dog-friendly addition - a dog fountain, called The Fountain of Woof.

 

And if interested in the local art gallery scene, visitors are welcome to take along their dogs to the Blue Dog Gallery, owned by George Rodrigue, the internationally acclaimed painter made famous in part by Absolut Vodka ads featuring the blue dog. His gallery will gladly offer Fido special treats.

 

Carmel's dog-friendly history dates as far back as 1908, when the first volunteer fire department was formed. Older residents also remember Pal, the town dog who became adored by local residents. When he passed away in 1943, Carmel honored him with a special resting place. Today, on the grounds of the Forest Theatre, there is a plaque commemorating one of Carmel’s most famous dogs.

 

Travelers can call 800-550-4333 for more information or visit www.carmelcalifornia.org.

 

About Carmel

Carmel, located just 120 miles south of San Francisco, is the ideal escape with more than 400 unique shops; 60 restaurants, bakeries, coffee houses, and pubs; and 45 bed and breakfasts, inns, and full-service hotels. Art and wine enthusiasts can choose from over 100 art galleries, award-winning wineries, and arts and entertainment events. 

 

Carmel's access to attractions such as the rugged coastline of Big Sur, the famed 17-Mile Drive, and Father Junipero Serra's Carmel Mission makes it the quintessential California coastal getaway.  From 2002-2007, Carmel has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top 10 destinations in the U.S. National Geographic Traveler magazine rated Carmel’s beach as “One of the Five Best Walking Beaches in the U.S.”

 

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