The dining with dog conundrum

By: DogTrekker Staff

A vibrant dog park bathed in sunlight features abundant greenery with mature trees, offering ample shade for leisurely outdoor activities. In the distance is a well-equipped playground that presents an additional activity area. An inviting picnic table spreads out nearby, ideal for enjoying meals al fresco or taking relaxing breaks from play. A neatly-placed trash bin aids in maintaining the park's cleanliness for everyone's enjoyment. Dominating the scene is a generously wide dirt path gracefully curving through the expanse of grass, promising exploratory walks and lively fetch games.

While most Mendocino County restaurants with outdoor dining venues allow dogs to curl up under the table with their owners, winter weather can throw that option a curve ball. In inclement weather when patios aren’t open, your pup can always wait in the car while you dine. Or—if you know in advance—you can take an unconventional route to an indoor venue.

On request, Stanford Inn by the Sea’s award-winning Ravens Restaurant, well known for its organic vegan cuisine, will serve breakfast and dinner at tables in the dog-friendly lobby, just steps from the no-dogs-allowed restaurant proper (check out the menu and gorgeous food photos here, and note that Wednesdays are ethnic inspiration nights and happy hour is 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday).

Another option is Little River Inn in the town of the same name, where you can arrange to have dinner served in the pet-friendly parlor and walk it off afterwards on a path overlooking the sea.