The AAA Four Diamond Chaminade Resort & Spa sits on 300 wooded acres in the hills above Santa Cruz, with 156 guest rooms spread across the property among towering eucalyptus trees. From up here you get sweeping views across Monterey Bay and the surrounding mountains—the kind of vista that makes you understand why this historic Mission-style California resort has been around for decades.
What makes it work for traveling with dogs is the combination of space and actual trails. The property has paths that wind through its private redwood and eucalyptus forest, which means you’re not just looking at pretty landscaping from your room—you can actually walk through it. These aren’t manicured resort paths either; they feel like real forest trails where your dog can move at a natural pace.
The location matters too. You’re only a short drive from Santa Cruz’s dog-friendly beaches and parks, so you have options depending on what your dog needs on any given day. Some dogs want the freedom of a beach, others want trail hiking, and having both nearby without being directly on either one is actually convenient.
Pet-friendly rooms are available, though the resort notes there are limited options. They offer two-queen and two-queen forest view rooms that get thoroughly cleaned and treated for allergens. You’ll want to contact them ahead of time about availability and any specific pet policies.
The dining situation is unusual for a resort—The View restaurant has a Pooch Patio menu with items listed as “Yappetizers,” entrees, and desserts. Whether your dog will actually eat restaurant food is another question, but the fact that they’ve thought this through and made it an option says something about how they approach guests traveling with dogs.
This isn’t a beachside hotel or a downtown Santa Cruz location. It’s a peaceful, quieter option on a mountain setting where you can spend time on trails and quiet grounds, then head into town or to the beach when you want to be somewhere more active.
Chaminade Resort & Spa is our Santa Cruz hillside pick in the Bay Area two-hour spring getaways guide, with dog-friendly policies and trails running from the property through the redwood-and-oak ridge above Monterey Bay.
