Condé Nast Traveler readers’ top Northern California hotel picks

Stanford Inn by the Sea at sunset. Photo by Stanford Inn.

The #1 priority topic among our DogTrekker community has always been recommendations for the most dog-friendly hotels in California. Here are four of our favorites from Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards list of leading Northern California hotels. Add these to your must-stay list when visiting the Bay Area, Sonoma Coast and Mendocino.

Design and nature harmonize at Sea Ranch Lodge

At Sea Ranch Lodge, a coastal wooden deck provides a stunning setting for dog walkers and their canine companions. The deck features four suspended white pendant lights, their soft illumination creating intricate patterns on the walls as evening approaches. Framing an uninterrupted view of the vast ocean under a clear blue sky, the platform offers a peaceful space where you and your dog can enjoy the calming rhythm of rolling waves. In the foreground, patches of grass add a touch of green and invite dogs to explore or rest in between bouts of playfulness.

Photo by Sea Ranch Lodge.

Sea Ranch Lodge is a California treasure tucked on a remote stretch of the Sonoma Coast near the Mendocino County

Condé Nast and Sunset agree on Healdsburg

In Healdsburg, a woman in glasses and a white blouse kneels on the sidewalk, grinning at her small, fluffy dog. The dog wears a bright rainbow-striped sweater, its colors vivid against the warm tones of the setting sun. Behind them, trees and parked cars create a quaint scene.

Photo by Stay Healdsburg.

Condé Nast Traveler called Healdsburg "one of the most alluring slices of California wine country" in its October 2024 write-up Read more.

Sunset Travel Awards showcase California’s coastal jewels

A small dog, wearing a blue harness, lounges peacefully on a sandy beach. Its tan coat glows softly in the warm light of the setting sun. Nearby, ocean waves gently roll onto the shore, and the distant coastline stretches out along the horizon, completing this picturesque moment.

Puggle on Laguna Beach.

Because DogTrekker focuses mainly on California travel, we always look forward to the annual Sunset Travel Awards. The 2024 winners Read more.

Compassion Without Borders rescues 28 dogs in mission to Mexico

A woman lifts a small white dog from a van marked "Compassion Without Borders." Nearby, two people—one in a plaid shirt and the other in a blue staff shirt—watch. The cages inside the van and trees in the background suggest that this organization rescues dogs from Mexico.

Meximutts arrive in Santa Rosa. Photo by Victoria Vonthal.

As the summer sun bakes California, the highways are dotted with camper vans bound for adventure. But for Moncho and Dr. Christi Camblor, founders of Compassion Without Borders, the call of the road has a deeper purpose. This June, they embarked on a grueling journey, loading up their van with empty dog crates and heading … Continued Read more.