Top dog-friendly vacation destinations

Key points

• California offers the most dog-friendly vacation destinations, with three cities in the top 10: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and San Diego.
• Flagstaff, Arizona is the best city for a dog-friendly vacation, receiving a perfect score in our analysis. 
• Key West, Florida has the most dog-friendly restaurants out of the cities in our analysis, with around 122 per 100,000 residents.

If your idea of a good vacation includes your best canine friend, you’re in luck. Many cities throughout the United States provide the perfect destination for you and your dog. 

We reviewed data across several categories to develop this analysis, including:

• Number of dog-friendly places to stay per 100,000 residents.
• Number of dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents.
• Number of dog-friendly bars per 100,000 residents.
• Number of vet offices per 100,000 businesses.
• Number of dog-friendly beaches within 50 miles (both seaside and lakeside).
• Number of dog-friendly trails.

The top 20 dog-friendly vacation destinations

Whether you want a West Coast adventure, a Florida beach break or a Rocky Mountains getaway, there’s a place for you and your pup. 

These destinations also offer an array of climates, ranging from the semi-arid conditions of Flagstaff, Arizona to the annual average of 300 sunny days in Denver. 

The table below shows how many dog-friendly features each city in our rating has, rounded to the nearest whole number. The scaled score demonstrates how the cities performed in our rating. See our methodology for full details.

Top 10 dog-friendly vacation destinations

1. Flagstaff, Arizona

At an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet, Flagstaff is a four-season climate town with more than 260 days of sunshine each year. Based on available data, Flagstaff:

• Averages nearly 56 dog-friendly accommodation options per 100,000 residents, the highest concentration of dog-friendly accommodations.
• Offers around 132 dog-friendly trails.
• Has around 39 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents for you to choose from. 

2. San Luis Obispo, California

Named the "Happiest Town in the USA" by Oprah in 2008, San Luis Obispo — or SLO as locals call it — sits between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Hailed as the place where motels were invented, this quirky town offers plenty of outdoor adventures as well as:

• The highest concentration of vet offices in our analysis, with nearly 700 per 100,000 businesses.
• Nine local beaches within 50 miles, making it a hot spot if you're looking to enjoy some waterfront time with your dog.
• 32 dog-friendly accommodations per 100,000 residents.

3. Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara enjoys a Mediterranean climate, offering average temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Located just 92 miles north of Los Angeles, it provides a quick getaway to SoCal residents who want an escape with their pup. If you’re visiting Santa Barbara with your pet, you can take advantage of:

• Nearly 29 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents.
• Around 19 dog-friendly accommodation options per 100,000 residents.
• 57 trails that allow canine companions. 

4. Austin, Texas

Austin's nearly one million residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine annually. The capital of Texas boasts tons of activities, restaurants and leisure opportunities, including the annual SXSW festival. A trip to this Texas hot spot will give you and your dog access to:

• About 21 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents. 
• Approximately 562 vet offices per 100,000 businesses, should your dog get injured or sick during your getaway.
• Plenty of options to get active with 94 dog-friendly trails. 

5. Portland, Oregon 

Portland is the largest city in Oregon and often has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. If you and your pup enjoy outdoor pursuits, Portland has much to offer:

• The second highest number of dog-friendly trails — an impressive 171 options.
• About 18 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents.
• Around 541 vet offices per 100,000 businesses, ensuring easy access if your dog needs veterinary care. 

6. San Diego, California

San Diego has mild weather and plenty of outdoor activities for you and your dog to enjoy. San Diego is decently dog-friendly:

• San Diego has many restaurants that welcome your furry friend, averaging around 21 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents.
• If you enjoy hiking, be sure to check out a few of the city's 102 dog-friendly trails. 
• You can also take advantage of 10 dog-friendly beaches within 50 miles of San Diego.

7. Naples, Florida

Naples is one of the top-scoring cities for dog-friendly restaurants in our analysis. It also has plenty of outdoor activities and warm weather. This Gulf Coast city:

• Ranks second for the highest number of restaurants that welcome dogs.
• Provides about 27 pet-friendly accommodations per 100,000 residents.
• 13 dog-friendly trails available for you and your pup to explore.
• Eight dog-friendly beaches within 50 miles. 

8. Nashville, Tennessee

While Nashville made its name in country music, today this diverse city offers plenty of activities in the state's capital. It also has a pet-friendly culture that includes:

• 18 walking trails where your pup can tag along.
• Nearly 14 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents — a must in a city known for its culinary offerings.
• 612 veterinary offices per 100,000 businesses, the second highest number of offices in our study. 

9. Denver, Colorado

Frequently referred to as the Mile High City, this town is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. Hailed as home to a highly walkable downtown, you can find plenty of activities around the city to enjoy with your pet. If you’re traveling to Denver with your pet, here’s what you can expect:

• At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers 55 dog-friendly trails.
• About nine dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents.
• Around nine dog-friendly accommodations per 100,000 residents. 

10. Key West, Florida

Although Key West is an island, there are 42 bridges connecting it to mainland Florida. The city has many dog-friendly bars and restaurants. Here’s what to know if you’re planning an island adventure:

• Around 17 dog-friendly bars per 100,000 residents, making it the place to go if you're fond of a nice vacation drink.
• Nearly 122 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 residents, earning the number one spot by a landslide for dog-friendly dining among the cities we analyzed.
• Only two dog-friendly trails, fewer than other cities in our study.

5 tips for traveling with a dog

Before hopping in a plane, train or automobile with your dog, make sure you're following these tips to travel safely with your best canine friend — and ensure their comfort along the way.

Consider pet insurance

If the unthinkable happens and you need to take your dog to the vet while on vacation, be prepared with pet insurance. An unlimited accident and illness pet insurance plan costs approximately $55 a month for dogs and can save you thousands of dollars if your dog gets sick or injured.

Travel safely

Regardless of your travel method, make sure your dog has what they need to get from point A to B safely. This includes an appropriately sized crate, a method of securing the crate and ample ventilation.

If flying with your dog, read the airline's guidance and requirements in advance so you know what to expect at the airport. You should also make sure your dog has all necessary vaccinations.

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Plan dog-friendly activities

Map out pit stops along the way so your pet can get plenty of exercise and use the bathroom. You should also research your destination to find activities you can both enjoy. 

Make a list of dog-friendly beaches, trails and local dog parks and make reservations at dog-friendly restaurants. In places like California, you may even find some vineyards that welcome your pet.

Pack comfort items from home

If your dog has a favorite blanket or toy, pack these for the trip, as they will help them feel cozy and calm. If you plan for a hike or beach trip, consider bringing balls as well as appropriate collars and leashes.

Other items to bring include a bed, food, water, medication, disposable bags and a first-aid kit.

Microchip/update identification

If your dog isn't already microchipped, make an appointment with your vet before traveling. It's easy for dogs to get lost in unfamiliar locations, but microchipping can help you reunite with your pet. If your dog is already microchipped and/or has identification on its collar, make sure the contact details are up to date.

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