Northern California leads the nation in the number of hotels certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The road to certification is long and rigorous, involving strict standards for energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling and more. Choosing a dog-friendly LEED-certified property for your next DogTrekking expedition shows you care: It’s like giving Mother Earth a pat on the head and a scratch behind the ears.
Greenest of the green is Bardessono Hotel and Spa in the Napa County town of Yountville. It’s one of just a few LEED platinum-level hotels worldwide that has also and also tapped into geothermal energy.
LEED certification isn’t the only indicator that a hotel is working hard to reduce its environmental impact. Other, less costly programs also underscore commitment to sustainability. Among the eco-standouts is Inn Marin, first hotel in the state to be awarded certification at the Leadership level through the California Green Lodging Program. Its 70 pet-friendly rooms feature bamboo floors, recycled toilet paper, organic shampoos and all manner of energy conservation features. The large green lawn at the center of the smartly restored, motel-like property is the perfect place for canines and humans alike to stretch their legs and soak up some sunshine.
Moving “up the hill” to Lake Tahoe, eco-conscious DogTrekkers with well socialized four-legged companions can settle in and feel green about it at Gravity Haus, a contemporary-styled property on the outskirts of Truckee that has won many kudos for its green architecture and sustainable practices.
