January | 2009 | Nellie Monster"s Blog

Deerfield Lodge: Lady with her Humans at dog-friendly Lake Tahoe Ski Resort

My cousin Lady (the yellow lab above) just sent me pictures from her vacay in Lake Tahoe! She stayed at the Deerfield Lodge at Heavenly – where she saw snow! OH – I know I’m just a dog and I’ve gone to some cool dog-friendly places – but I’ve never seen snow… and it sounds amazing!

Anyway, Lady had a great time. When her humans were skiing, she was allowed full-roam of the hotel room – though she spent most of her time relaxing on a comfy blanket-covered leather couch! And a nice girl would come and take her for a walk while everyone was at the slopes! Lady says she didn’t mind being left alone during the day because she knew the dog walker would visit and even call her humans on their cell phone thingies if anything super important came up.

There were also the doggie amenities! Dog treats upon check in along with a coupon to the onsite doggie boutique store! Convenient doggie poop stations! Lady also got to hang out in the lobby during happy hour – which featured wine and snacks for the humans every afternoon!

All the rooms on the ground level floor were dog friendly – which was great because Lady said her bedroom door led right into the open courtyard! Many dogs were allowed to run around offleash, but I’m sure Lady stayed onleash – she’s notorious for giving chase to anything that moves!

Dog friendly hotel: Lady lounges slopeside at pet-friendly lodge in Lake Tahoe

View From the Top of Dog-Friendly Douglas Preserve

Being a dog in the great outdoors is great. And being an off-leash dog in the great outdoors is even better!

That’s why I love going dog friendly hikes on the Wilcox Trail, which leads up to the Douglas Preserve. This wide open 70-acre park hugs the cliffs above the dog friendly beach at Hendry’s and has spectacular panoramic views. Not to mention, dogs can roam around the trails off leash! Did I mention how much I love being off leash?

There’s tons of interesting wilderness to sniff and explore. And when you get to the top of the coastal bluffs, there’s a doggie water fountain ready to quench your thirst! The walks loops around for about 1 mile and you can enjoy dramatic views from many points along the hike!

Enjoying an Off Leash Hike with My New Friend!

Directions: From U.S. 101 in Santa Barbara, exit on Las Positas Road and follow it 1.5 miles south (toward the ocean) to its terminus at Cliff Drive. Turn right and turn into parking lot of adjacent Arroyo Burro Beach County Park.

You can also follow Cliff Drive east (down-coast) to Mesa Lane and turn right. Just before the lane reaches its end at the Mesa Lane coastal access way, turn right onto Borton. Turn left onto Linda. Street parking is available.

Douglas Preserve: The Great Outdoors is Dog Friendly Again!

Neliie Monster says Take a Hike!

Off Leash at Dog Friendly Hendry’s Beach

One of the best places in the world to be a dog is Hendry’s Beach (also known as Arroyo Burro Beach)! That’s because we rule the place and can legally frolic off leash there! Well, at least east of the slough. (Dogs must be on-leash west of the slough.) It’s this magical place where my humans can’t cramp my style!

Imagine a doggie paradise where the sun, sand, surf, smelly seaweed all come together in perfect harmony! Some dogs love chasing the birds but I prefer looking out for dolphins and abandoned picnics! And best of all, Emilia and Nick can do their own thing while I run free.

It can get pretty busy when the weather is nice – which is most days in Santa Barara. I know, I’m a lucky dog.

Also, there’s what looks like a pretty nice restaurant there (not dog friendly) and free parking right off Cliff Drive.

I know Emilia somestimes sneaks off to Hendry’s without me to go to the Boathouse restaurant – she comes home smelling like sunset and Rum Punch.

Dogs rule the beach!