This post contains affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you if you click on one of the product links, we may earn a commission.

We are both dog moms and are always looking for pet-friendly destinations. Luckily, more cities are starting to welcome dogs and we’ve explored a handful of them this past year.

Starting with our favorite, here are our top seven super pet-friendly destinations in California.

1. Mammoth Lakes

Walking towards Wild Willy’s Natural Hot Springs around sunset

Mammoth Lakes is one of the lesser-known areas in the Sierra Nevadas since Yosemite is right next door and tends to get all the fame (which we completely understand why).

We made our visit during the month of August and booked a weekend at the Sierra Nevada Resort & Spa. Mammoth Lakes was indeed pet-friendly, so we were able to enjoy all the trails, lakes, and restaurants with our fur babies.

2. Santa Barbara

Zooey and Kuma enjoying the off-leash Hendry’s Dog Beach

The four of us had a fantastic time in Santa Barbara when we made the visit during the first week of August. The mid-70-degree weather made all of our outdoor activities so pleasant and enjoyable.

Exploring Jeff Shelton’s unique architecture

The iconic Chromatic Gate in Santa Barbara

The pups especially had a great time running around Hendry’s Beach and getting showered with attention at the Funk Zone.

3. Big Bear Lake

Big Bear is a popular ski town for Angelenos, but if you aren’t keen on winter sports, there is still plenty of activities to enjoy in nature with your main furry squeeze.

Sledding with Zooey at Cougar Crest Trail

Big Bear Lake is a town that encourages visitors to bring their pups along for an adventure to enjoy the lake and many trails. We visited in February so that Zooey could experience some sledding in the snow.

4. San Diego

I used to live in San Diego and always appreciated how dog-friendly this city is. One of my favorite pooch-friendly places was Balboa Park. This park is massive and although dogs can’t roam inside the museums, there is plenty of space outdoors to enjoy along with hiking trails and cactus gardens.

In front of the Botanical Garden at Balboa Park

Another fun place is Little Italy or South Park. All these locations are very close to each other so you can easily spend a day hopping around town.

Outdoor Cafe in South Park - Communal Coffee

Little Italy San Diego - Piazza delia Famiglia

Little Italy has a gorgeous courtyard and we recommend getting some pastries with your pooch at Frost Me Cafe & Bakery. If you want to grab some coffee, stop by South Park’s Communal Coffee. You’ll love their outdoor space. And just a few blocks down is a huge off-leash dog park.

5. Carmel by the Sea

Gorgeous powdery white sands at Carmel Beach

Our first big trip together as four was to U.S.A.’s most dog-friendly town called Carmel. We drove from Los Angeles through Big Sur and about 8 hours later, we made it to our accommodation at Hofsas House Hotel.

Walking around the quaint town with Zooey

We went to a wine tasting and the pups especially loved the white sand at Carmel Dog Beach. The entire town caters to dogs so you’ll see pet stations and water bowls throughout the quaint city.

6. Solvang

A charming Danish Village in California’s Santa Ynez Valley

When we made our initial visit to Solvang, it was just the two of us, but when we were there, we discovered it was a town that welcomed dogs. We saw so many other pooches enjoying this adorable Danish town that I promised myself to bring Zooey here someday.

A little over a year later, I did just that and Zooey enjoyed every minute of it. Just like the other places on the list, dogs are most welcome at restaurants, cafes, and wine tastings. Even the tiny H.C. Andersen Museum permitted dogs.

7. Los Angeles

There are a ton of fun and free things to do in Los Angeles from off-leash parks, hiking, shopping, and playing in the snow. Some of the lesser-known dog-friendly hiking spots that we enjoy are Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Gabrielino Trail.

If your heading to Hollywood, there are plenty of dog-friendly attractions to explore in this area as well. And you can even get a photo with your pup in front of the famous Hollywood sign without having to hike to it. You can literally park your car and walk a few hundred feet and get some pretty awesome shots.

I’m so grateful for towns that welcome our fur babies because they love traveling just as much as we do. If you know of other dog-friendly towns in California, please comment below and let us know!