These California cities are among the top dog-friendly vacation spots in US. Here’s why
California is home to three of the top 10 dog-friendly vacation destinations in the United States, according to USA Today Blueprint.
“If your idea of a good vacation includes your best canine friend, you’re in luck,” Katy McWhirter and Kara McGinley wrote on the personal finance website.
To come up with its list of the 20 best places to take your pup, published March 13, USA Today Blueprint looked at factors including the number of dog-friendly restaurants, bars and beaches, as well as veterinary offices.
Flagstaff, Arizona, was No. 1 on the list, thanks to its sunny climate and high number of Fido-friendly hotels, trails and restaurants.
San Luis Obispo came in second, followed closely by another Central Coast city, Santa Barbara, in third place.
A total of five California cities landed in the top 20, with San Diego taking sixth place. Salinas ranked at No. 13, and San Jose was No. 18.
Why is SLO the No. 2 vacation spot for dog owners?
Dubbed America’s Happiest City by Oprah Winfrey in 2011, San Luis Obispo offers “plenty of outdoor adventures” for you and your furry friends, according to USA Today Blueprint.
SLO had the “highest concentration of vet offices in our analysis,” the site said.
The city had 32 dog-friendly accommodations and 18 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents.
In addition, SLO boasts nine beaches within 50 miles, USA Today Blueprint said. “making it a hot spot if you’re looking to enjoy some waterfront time with your dog.”
What about other California cities?
USA Today Blueprint cited Santa Barbara’s Mediterranean climate and proximity to Los Angeles as reasons it’s a popular getaway for “SoCal residents who want an escape with their pup.”
The Central Coast city has nearly 29 dog-friendly restaurants and around 19 dog-friendly commodations per 100,000 residents, plus 57 trails that are open to canine companions.
San Diego, meanwhile, offers mild weather and plenty of outdoor activities for pets and their owners, including 102 dog-friendly trails.
There are 10 dog-friendly beaches within 50 miles of the city.
What’s more, San Diego has about 21 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents.
According to USA Today, the Southern California city is home of the best dog park in the United States, Fiesta Island.
What are the top 10 dog-friendly destinations in US?
These are the top 10 dog-friendly vacation destinations in the nation, according to USA Today Blueprint:
Flagstaff, Arizona
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
Austin, Texas
Portland, Oregon
San Diego
Naples, Florida
Nashville, Tennessee
Denver
Key West, Florida
How did USA Today Blueprint come up with rankings?
To come up with its list the best dog-friendly vacation destinations, USA Today Blueprint analyzed the top 50 most visited cities by overseas tourists in 2022 according to the U.S. International Trade Administration.
The personal finance website looked at six metrics:
Number of dog-friendly places to stay per 100,000 residents. Number of dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents. Number of dog-friendly bars per 100,000 residents. Number of vet offices per 100,000 businesses. Number of dog-friendly beaches within 50 miles (both seaside and lakeside). Number of dog-friendly trails.
Data came from Hotels.com, BringFido.com, Alltrails.com and the U.S. Census Bureau.
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