Sheep Dung, affectionately known as The Other Place, sits on a historic 500-acre sheep ranch in Anderson Valley‘s rolling hills overlooking Boonville. The location itself is the draw—you’re looking at landscape that actually feels remote, even though you’re just over two hours from the Bay Area and about three from Sacramento.

What makes this place work for dogs is straightforward: they have room to be themselves. The property includes fenced cottages where your dog can safely roam, plus plenty of trails winding through the land. There’s a pond on the ranch too, good for a quiet break during the day. The cottages themselves are genuinely livable—full kitchens, WiFi, wood-burning stoves, Weber grills, television if you want it. It’s the kind of setup where you feel like you’re actually staying somewhere, not just passing through.

The ranch has an interesting history. It was owned by the Moonies in the 1970s before becoming what it is now, which gives the place a slightly quirky character that matches its name. The fact that they’re this casual about dogs roaming freely tells you something about their philosophy here.

Beyond the property, you’re in wine country. There are about twenty wineries within reach, and most are fine with dogs on the grounds. Hendy Woods State Park is nearby if you want to hike among coast redwoods, or you can drive to the Mendocino Coast for ocean views. Pennyroyal Farm is across from the driveway entrance—convenient if you want local cheese and wine without going far.

A repeat visitor said it best: “Sheep Dung is our favorite getaway because our dogs can simply be dogs, and we can just relax.” That’s really what you’re paying for here—space where your dog doesn’t need to be managed constantly, and you can actually decompress. Check their website for current cottage availability and rates, as these tend to vary by season.