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Planning your trip
Advanced planning can help make your trip more enjoyable for both you and your pet.
- Evaluate whether your pet is comfortable when traveling. Some animals, like some people, function better in familiar surroundings.
- Be sure your pet is properly identified with a current ID tag. In addition to your home information, attach another tag with your cell phone number and/or destination phone number.
- Pack a copy of a current rabies certificate, your home veterinarian's phone number, any medication or special care instructions and a photo of your pet. In the event of an emergency these all will be invaluable.
- Creating a "pet travel bag" with some basics will help keep everyone organized. Some items to include might be:
water bowl and food dish
filled water bottle
dry and or canned food
pet food lid and can opener
treats
favorite toys
bedding
extra leash
spare towels
medication
plastic bags
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- If your pet is crate trained, bringing a travel crate or carrier will create a familiar safe haven.
Tips for California Lodging
While not endorsing any particular accommodation, we do research and confirm the pet friendly status of our listings and label our findings with the  notation. However, pet policies vary from property to property, policies may suddenly change, and some properties may only have a limited number of pet friendly rooms available. So at the end of the day, we recommend that you call an establishment directly to confirm their pet policy and availability. We want traveling with your pet to be full of adventure, not unpleasant surprises.
Tips for California Accommodations
- Keep your pet on a "short leash" while you assess the reaction of your fellow travelers. Not everyone is comfortable with a surprise visit from a gregarious pooch or a friendly Iguana while riding the elevator or strolling the lobby.
- Check for restrictions on taking your pet into common areas. Are they permitted everywhere on the property's grounds, or just in certain areas?
- Unpack your pet's travel bag and settle them in as soon as possible. A familar bed, toy and water bowl will provide a sense of security.
- The bathroom is great spot for water & food bowls, litter boxes, etc. and minimizes clean up when you're ready to check out.
- Confirm the lodging's policy about leaving pets unattended in guest rooms. Some properties allow it, some require that the pet be crated and quiet, and some prohibit it altogether.
- If you do leave a pet unattended in your room, place a "do not disturb" sign on the door. Not only is this a courtesy for the housekeeping or maintenance personnel (who may be unpleasantly surprised), but from a safety stand point it minimizes the chance of your pet bolting out the door should someone open it.
- Should you want to leave your pet for an extended period, ask for referrals on local pet sitters. Many properties have approved pet sitters who will come and stay on location with your pet.
Tips for California Restaurants
California Health and Safety Code prohibits any animal (other than Service Animals) from entering the premises of an establishment that serves food and beverages. The exception is for those places that offer direct access to an outdoor seating area.
We do research and confirm the pet friendly status of our listings and label our findings with the notation. However pet policies may vary from restaurant to restaurant, policies may suddenly change, and some restaurants may only have a limited number of pet friendly tables available. So at the end of the day, we recommend that you call a restaurant directly to confirm their pet policy and availability. We want traveling with your pet to be full of adventure, not unpleasant surprises.
- Keep your pet on a "short leash" until you assess the reaction of your fellow diners. Not everyone is comfortable with a surprise visit from a gregarious pooch or a friendly Iguana while dining.
- However tempting, refrain from feeding your pet from the table. Traveling in itself is a lot of excitement and a change in diet may upset the stomach.
- If your pet is more comfortable in a crate or travel cage, don't hesitate to bring one with you. Your kitty may enjoy snoozing under your table in a carrier rather than wandering about while you're enjoying your meal.
- Bring water, a bowl and poop bags. A restaurant may provide some of these, but that isn't their primary job. Making sure you have a good meal is!
- A favorite toy or treats can provide hours of entertainment and a distraction for a pet while you're enjoying a meal.
- If you've had a good dining experience, be sure to tell your server, and a manager. Allowing pets in a restaurant is a choice. Complimenting the management and staff when you have a good experience can go a long way in reconfirming a restaurant's pet policy.
Tips for California Bark Parks
Bark parks provide a wonderful opportunity for your dog to socialize, romp, and stretch his legs when you are traveling. A few simple guidelines will ensure a pleasurable, safe visit for you and your canine companion.
- Make sure that your dog is wearing a current license, has all its required, up-to-date vaccinations and that you have a copy of a current rabies vacination certicate with you.
- Keep your dog on a leash until you get to a designated off-leash area (if available).
- Bring your own poop bags, in case they aren't supplied, and immediately clean up after your dog.
- Bring lots of fresh drinking water for you and your dog. Sun and fun both require lots of hydration.
- Read and follow the posted rules, as they vary from Bark Park to Bark Park.
- Relax and enjoy the visit. Meeting other "pet parents" at a Bark Park is a great way to gather insider tips for visiting their area.
Tips for California Beaches
Beaches in California are a precious, highly protected natural resource. The pleasure of visiting a beach with your dog can be preserved for posterity by following a few common sense guidelines.
- Make sure that your dog is wearing a current license, has all its required, up-to-date vaccinations and that you have a copy of a current rabies vacination certicate with you.
- Keep your dog on a leash until you get to a designated off-leash area (if available).
- Closely monitor your dog's activity to ensure that birds and other wildlife are not disturbed.
- Avoid tide pool areas. Touching, stepping on or "nosing" creatures in tide pools can seriously harm this important fragile ecosystem which can take years to recover.
- Though infrequent, rip tides do occur in some locations. Watch for warning flags, and be careful to avoid those areas.
- Bring your own poop bags and immediately clean up after your dog.
- Bring lots of fresh drinking water for you and your dog. Sun and fun both require lots of hydration.
- Don't forget plenty of towels to dry off your and your pooch!
Traveling By Car
The following tips are courtesy of the American Veterinarian Association
If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, take it for a few short rides before your trip. Cats should be confined to a cage or crate to allow them to feel secure and to avoid having a pet under your feet while driving.
Stick to your regular feeding routine and give the main meal at the end of the day or when you reach your destination. Feeding dry food will be more convenient, assuming your pet readily consumes it. Dispose of unused canned food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a plastic jug of cold water in case other reliable water sources are not available. Give small portions of food and water and plan to stop every two hours for exercise. Remember to include a leash with your pet's traveling supplies.
 Pets should not be allowed to ride with their heads outside car windows. Particles of dirt can enter the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infection.
If you must leave your pet in a parked car, be sure to lock all doors, park in a shady area, and open windows wide enough to provide ventilation without enabling your pet to jump out or get its head caught. Be aware of weather conditions. You should not leave your pet in a parked car when the temperature and/or humidity are high or when temperatures are near or below freezing.
Traveling By Air
The following tips are courtesy of the American Veterinarian Association
Air travel is of most concern to pet owners. You can minimize the chances of an unpleasant experience by following a few guidelines.
Federal regulations require that pets be at least 8 weeks old and weaned at least 5 days before flying. Generally, a health certificate (which is not more than 10 days old) must be available before pets will be permitted to fly. A valid rabies vaccination certificate will also be required.
Contact the airline well in advance for specific regulations and to secure your pet's reservation. Try to book a nonstop, midweek flight and avoid plane changes if possible. During warm weather periods choose early morning or late evening flights. In colder months, choose midday flights.
Arrive at the airport early, exercise your pet, personally place it in its crate, and pick up the animal promptly upon arrival. Do not take leashed animals on escalators.
Transport crates, available from most airlines or pet shops, must:
- Be large enough to allow the animal to stand (without touching the top of the cage), turn around, and lie down.
- Be strong and free of interior protrusions, with handle or grips.
- Have a leak proof bottom that is covered with plenty of absorbent material.
- Be purchased in advance so the pet can become acclimated to the crate prior to travel.
- Be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your name, home address, home phone number, and destination contact information, as well as a designation of "Live Animals," with arrows indicating the crate's upright position.
- Be ventilated on opposite sides, with exterior rims and knobs so that airflow is not impeded.
Ask your veterinarian for specific feeding instructions. For your pet's comfort, air travel on an almost empty stomach is usually recommended. The age and size of your pet, time and distance of the flight, and your pet's regular dietary routine will be considered when feeding recommendations are made.
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