Pupcation 2025! Our Guide to the Best Dog-Friendly Vacation Destinations
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Time to read 4 min
Itโs that time of year! The season when roads, bridges, and highways are heavily dotted with vehicles laden with suitcases, packages, and people heading off to create summer vacation memories. Something else you might see in those cars, trucks and minivans? Fur babies! As part of the family, dogs - and sometimes cats! - are often included in the travel payload, along with the drooling mouths, wagging tails, and faithful companionship they bring.
If youโre looking for ideas for dog-friendly vacation destinations, youโve come to the right place! This year, our annual guide to pet-friendly vacations just happens to center around some of our own home towns - unsurprisingly, Farm to Pet team members tend to live in cat and dog friendly zones! As such, we have the inside scoop on the best things to do and places to go with our fur babies in the three fun and vibrant pet-friendly cities below. Read on as we show our hometown pride from a dog paw-rentโs point of view.
Dog-Friendly Vacation Destination #1 - Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Beach may be known as Surf City, USA, but it might just as easily be called Pupโs Paradise, CA! In addition to great summer weather and miles of wide sandy shoreline, Huntington Beach is filled with dog-friendly activities and establishments. Itโs no wonder it was voted one of Californiaโs most dog-friendly cities!
Topping any dog loverโs must list is Huntington Dog Beach , a mile and a half stretch of leash-optional space north of the cityโs historic pier where dogs can freely frolic, play and even surf! Pups can do the same sans the surfing at the Central Park Dog Park , complete with large and small dog sections, a lake with ducks to look at (not to chase!), and the Park Bench Cafe , which offers both two- and four-legged menu options. There are many other dog-friendly eateries both pierside and in the townโs open air shopping centers like Pacific City and Bella Terra . It even has its own dog โ bark-ery โ in the middle of the downtown action!
Huntington Beach also boasts several pet-friendly hotels with equally eye-friendly ocean views. Depending on the time of year, you could take in one of the paw-some dog festivals the city hosts, like Corgi Beach Day and Weinerfest , that attract dog enthusiasts from far and wide! Surfโs up, paws up!
Dog-Friendly Vacation Destination #2 - Chicago, IL
Chicago is more than just where the Farm to Pet magic happens (weโve been based here since day one!); it is also one of the most dog friendly cities in the country! The Windy City truly has something for every-doggy, from the posh pooch in a designer carrier to the rugged ragamuffin who prefers playing in the mud.
Chicago abounds with โ DFAs โ or places the city designates as dog-friendly areas. Start with its world-famous Montrose Dog Beach right on the shore of Lake Michigan, or choose from dozens of pup-friendly parks throughout the city. We canโt resist Puptown and Wiggly Field for the punny names alone! Dogs can also accompany their families to countless pet-friendly restaurants , bars and breweries. Some of our faves include The Promontory for music lovers, Burning Bush for local brews, and Recess for two- and four-legged game lovers alike.
Dog-friendly lodging in Chicago is also bountiful - Bring Fido is a great resource to filter hotel options by location, amenities, pet fees, etc. And if itโs pampering that your pooch prefers, how about a sightseeing boat cruise (dogs ride free!), luxury shopping at Tails in the City , and a dog massage at Urban Pooch ? After all, whatโs good for the human can be good for the canine!
Dog-Friendly Vacation Destination #3 - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton is another great beachside choice for a dog-friendly vacation. In fact, the city has been certified as a โBetter City for Petsโ - and with good reason! It boasts countless options for outdoor activities with dogs, as well as plenty of more urban pursuits and establishments ideal for four-legged family members.
For the active pup, explore some of Boca Ratonโs many hiking trails, parks and beaches. You can take in sweeping views of the Atlantic and the Intercoastal Waterway on several park trails - we love the unique terrain of the ocean to lake trail at Jonathan Dickinson State Park . For off-leash frolicking, the city offers several dog parks , including the paw-fectly named Woof Lake and Canine Cove. If your dog loves the water, hop on the dog-friendly Peanut Island Shuttle Boat for a day of fishing, swimming and picnicking (donโt forget the Farm to Pet Fish Chips !).
If you prefer outdoor entertainment with a little less sand, Mizner Park is the best of both worlds, offering many dog-friendly restaurants and shops to explore alongside a pristinely manicured garden. You can even get a refreshing popsicle - and a pup-sicle! - at Cielito Artisan Pops . In town the second Sunday of the month? Donโt miss Dogs Day in the Garden at the beautiful Mounts Botanical Garden. After all the fur friend fun, you can relax and rejuvenate in comfort in your choice of the cityโs many dog-friendly hotels and lodging options.ย
Bone Voyage!
We hope that at least one of these three paw-some Pupcation destinations is within reach by car or plane for you, our fellow pet lovers, all the way from the West coast through the Midwestern states to the Eastern US. With all the activities and sights to enjoy at each of these dog-friendly vacation destinations, the effort and travel is sure to be well worth it. Once you have your vetโs clearance for your pet to travel, just be sure you take plenty of water; organic dog chews, dog toys, and pet lick mats for distraction; and of course an array of nutritious pet snacks for the trip. (A comfy water-proof back seat cover doesnโt hurt either!) Whether itโs surfing at a dog festival in Huntington Beach, prancing in the dog parks of Boca Raton, or stopping by the Farm to Pet factory in Chicago for some healthy dog treat samples, a Pupcation is sure to create priceless memories to last a lifetime!
