For water-loving canines, nothing beats fetching a bright yellow tennis ball from the surf and romping full speed ahead on a sandy beach. But while there’s plenty of sand to share with your leashed pup along California’s 840 miles of coastline, you should know before you go where dogs are and aren’t allowed to run off-leash. Here are a few of our favorite off-leash beaches.
Read more.Monterey bay labrador retriever rescue
Monterey Bay Labrador Retriever Rescue got its start four years ago when some longtime Lab rescue volunteers noticed that while a number of Lab groups served the greater Bay Area, there was something of a gap in Monterey and San Benito Counties. "It seemed like a good idea," recalls founder/CEO Judy Kreger. History's borne this out, as about 125 Labs a year have been finding loving forever homes through MBLRR ever since. Read more.
Inland bounty in Monterey County
Anyone who’s visited Monterey County with a dog knows about that glorious off-leash beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea. But that's not the only place you can unclip Spot and Sassy and let them run free so long as they stay within sight and under voice control. Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley has miles of trails to roam, a river and tributary creek with swimming holes to splash in, a stellar visitor center and even specially designed water fountains for dogs. Read more.
Sip and stroll
Like wine tasting but don’t have the time or inclination to visit area wineries by car? With a growing number of tasting rooms in town, almost all of them dog-friendly, the two of you can stroll and sip at your own pace. Read more.
Scenic drive
The view
Yes, Seventeen-Mile-Drive is a tourist attraction, but if you make a day of it, you’ll find the $10 entry fee a small price to pay for soaking up some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Read more.
