You won’t find a more eclectic collection of canoes and kayaks than at 
Catch-A-Canoe, which has been outfitting paddlers on the eight-mile-long Big River estuary near Mendocino since 1972. Well behaved dogs of all makes and models are welcome to ride along and enjoy the scenery in surrounding 
Big River State Park.
“You can go in a standard canoe, but for stability I recommend an outrigger,” says Jeff Stanford, owner of the adjacent (and extremely dog-friendly) Stanford Inn by the Sea. “Dogs can sit on the platform across the top or in the bottom of the boat. People take dogs on them all the time.”
You won’t encounter whitewater or significant currents on the scenic Big River, but the estuary is tidal and salty and the climate often chilly, so be sure to dress warmly and bring fresh water for your pet.
  
  
  
              
        
          
             
          
          
          
            Magical Mendocino County turns up the charm each fall, when shifting light and kaleidoscopic colors grace the coastline. Now celebrating 45 dog-friendly years, the Stanford...
          
          Read More
         
              
        
          
             
          
          
          
            In August 2025, the Stanford Inn was named one of the country’s top 10 eco-friendly hotels in the USA Today 10BEST Readers' Choice awards. This...
          
          Read More
         
              
        
          
             
          
          
          
            Summer is in full swing, which means it's time to hit the water. During California's sun-drenched splash season, water dogs and families seek out seaside...
          
          Read More
         
              
        
          
             
          
          
          
            If you’ve traveled with a dog, you know there’s a big difference between hotels that merely tolerate pets and those that roll out the red...
          
          Read More
         
              
        
          
             
          
          
          
            In majestic Mendocino County, lucky dogs from the Little River Inn can accompany their people on sea cave kayaking tours
          
          Read More
         
              
        
          
             
          
          
          
            California’s dog-friendly coastal glamping sites let you and your pup enjoy salty sea breezes, beach walks, and stunning sunsets with
          
          Read More