With more breweries than any other state, there’s tough competition in California. Half Moon Bay Brewing Company secures our top spot as the best dog-friendly brewery in the state thanks to its beautiful coastal location in Half Moon Bay and its welcoming attitude towards furry barflies. Order your pooch something from the dog menu, like a cheeseburger patty or Maveric’s Dog Biscuits, and sink your teeth into items from the sharing menu. Wash your meal down with a Half Moon Bay IPA or Dry Me a River Cider. After a brew, take a walk to Pillar Point Harbor and enjoy Pacific views with your pooch.

Stay on the coast with a waterfront room at The Inn at Mavericks.

Admire stunning views of the Pacific coastline and hike miles of dog-friendly dirt trails along rugged sea cliffs at Mendocino Headlands State Park, California’s most dog-friendly state park. Stop along the paths to search the seas for wildlife, and you might even spot a gray whale off in the distance. Take a short stroll down a path to Portuguese Beach, where your leashed pup can sink his paws into the sand. From there, continue on to the bluffs dotted with benches for admiring the view, or take the path to Big River Beach, where the Big River empties into Mendocino Bay. Leashed dogs are welcome on the west side of the beach.

Mendocino Headlands State Park is day-use only, so camping is not permitted. However, your furry friend will find a warm welcome at Inn at Schoolhouse Creek. Canine guests will be greeted with a pet kit that includes a bed, bowls, treats, a leash lanyard with waste bags, Frisbee, welcome letter, towels, and a mat. You’ll also have access to the “Dog Meadow,” a large lawn on the property.

Cruising along the California Coastal Trail? Stop off at Huntington Dog Beach, the Golden State’s best attraction for Golden Retrievers. Fido can walk by your side leash free on 1.5 miles of fine sand at this always “pupular” destination. The beach is also famous for hosting the annual Surf City Surf Dog Competition, where gnarly pups from around the world hang 10 and compete to be top surf dog. Facilities here include public restrooms, a grassy area with picnic tables, and doggie waste bags to keep the pristine beach clean.

Keep the good vibes going at Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort, where you and your pooch can fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing from an oceanfront room. Four-legged guests receive treats, pet beds, bowls, and waste bags to use during their stay.

If your pooch would rather “glamp” than camp, Flying Flags RV Resort and Campground is the place for him. The most dog-friendly state park in California is a luxury camping experience that includes an off-leash dog park with plenty of room to run and shade trees scattered throughout. You can also hang out with other guests and fur-friends at the Fireside Lounge or on the patio of Campfire Cafe. Bring your own RV or tent, or stay in one of the resort’s charming accommodations. During your visit, travel five minutes down the road to OstrichLand USA, where leashed canines are welcome on guided tours that allow you to feed and visit with ostriches and emus. Dogs are allowed at the campground for an additional fee of $50 per stay.

Your pooch is invited to join the half-million canines who visit Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park in Richmond every year. This huge space is one of the most epic dog parks in the U.S. and the best dog park in California, boasting more than 50 acres of land on the eastern edge of San Francisco Bay. Explore several looping trails that hug Hoffman Channel and offer scenic overlooks of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin County and Brooks Island. After rolling around in the mud, Fido can clean up at the on-site Mud Puppy’s Tub and Scrub.

Stay close by at DoubleTree by Hilton Berkeley Marina and enjoy views of the bay, San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge.

Hikes don’t need to be difficult to be rewarding. Formerly a ranch, Fiscalini Ranch Preserve in Cambria is one of the last remaining unspoiled sections of California coastline. This stop along the California Coastal Trail covers 440 acres in total, including eight miles of the top trails to hike with your dog in California. The most popular pathway in the preserve is the Ridge, Bluff, Arch, and Dolphin Trail. This easy four-mile loop features rolling meadows, pine forests, and coastal bluffs with unbeatable Pacific views.

From the dog on the mailbox to the welcome bag with pet sheets, bowls and bags, Cambria Shores Inn is a coastal gem that rolls out the red carpet for four-legged guests.

Located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, Fireside Lodge is a quaint cabin-themed bed and breakfast with a variety of pet-friendly rooms. Bring the whole pack to stay in a family room or enjoy a peaceful getaway with your nearest and dearest in a cozy queen. Four-legged guests receive a welcome package at the front desk with pet covers, bowls, treats, and dog towels, making it the best pet-friendly B&B in the state. Fireside Lodge staff treat guests like family, providing a complimentary breakfast for humans and plenty of pets for pups. Kiva Beach is a short drive away, and is a nice place to enjoy a sunset from the sand.

Fireside Lodge allows pets of any size for $35 per pet, per night.

The annual World Dog Surfing Championships on Linda Mar Beach outside of San Francisco is a world-famous canine event and the can’t miss dog event in California. This unforgettable competition brings together top contenders and happy amateurs alike to surf for the tandem or solo grand prize. If riding the waves isn’t his thing, Fido can try his paw at the Dog Disc or Ball-Fetch-in-Water Competitions instead.

Book this studio apartment overlooking all the action on Linda Mar Beach.

If our Best of California preview left your dog drooling for more, we hope you check out our book - Ruff Guide to the United States. Remember to use gift code BEST to get a copy for just $10. Happy Travels!