Take a bragg-adocious break

Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden. Photo by Pawparazzi Pet Photography, provided by MGBG.

With a whopping 7,500 full-time residents, Fort Bragg is the “big city” on the Mendocino coast. It’s also a very dog-friendly place, thanks largely to the tireless advocacy efforts of the Mendocino Coast Dog Owners Group (McDog).

17 miles of magnificence

It’s just 17 miles along scenic Highway 1 from the coastal village of Albion to the more muscular city of Fort Bragg, but considering how much lies in between, you could take an entire, leisurely week to go the distance. In Little River, just north of Albion, the charming Little River Inn welcomes four-legged family members as well as their uprights, offering bed, breakfast and majestic views of the sea.

Flower power

Not all botanical gardens are dog-friendly, but we know some that are—and if you’re into tulips and other early-blooming florals, now’s the time for the two of you to watch spring springing into action. Read more.

Mackerricher state park

MacKerricher State Park. Photo by Don Kawahigashi.

Adhering to leash restrictions is a small price to pay for reveling in the beauty of this Mendocino County gem with numerous dog-friendly trails and beaches. MacKerricher State Park is diverse, with habitats ranging from bluffs to beaches, headlands, tide pools, forests, wetlands and one of California’s longest coastal dune systems.

Tips for paddling with your pup

If it's summer, it's time to get out on the water with your pup. But if it's Fido's first time to kayak or ride in a raft, you'll want to take it slow. Cate Hawthorne of Liquid Fusion Kayaking in Fort Bragg offers these tips for paddling with your pup. Read more.