Pet Guide

Marin County is a great place to be a dog. You will find everything for your four-legged friend, from open space environments to dog-friendly restaurants and hotels. Here are some places your pooch will probably love.

Beaches | Hikes/ Open Spaces | Dog Friendly Restaurants | Pet Friendly Lodging

Beaches 

Best off-leash beach:

Dillon Beach. This private beach in the northern part of Marin is very well maintained and allows dogs - assumed they are under voice control – to be off-leash between the tide line and the water. From the parking lot to the high tide line the leash is required. There is a $5 fee per vehicle.
1 Beach Avenue
707-878-2696
www.dillionbeachresort.com

Best remote beach:
Kehoe Beach, Inverness. This quiet, least accessible beach in Marin is located north of Point Reyes Station. Due to the wildlife, leashes are required. Directions: From Inverness, drive Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to the fork. Turn right on Pierce Point Road and drive about four miles. Park at the roadside and follow the signs about a half mile to the beach.
415-464-5100
www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/beaches.htm

More pooch friendly beaches:
Limantour Beach, Olema: Not so quiet as Kehoe Beach, but most people prefer this beach. It is a very beautiful, big beach. Signs show that on some parts of the trails, dogs are prohibited. You may walk with your dog to Santa Maria Beach.  Directions: From Highway One, turn between Olema and Inverness onto Bear Valley Road. Look for Limantour Road and turn south all the way to the beach.
415-464-5100
www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/beaches.htm

Stinson Beach/Dog Beach: In the northern part of Stinson, where private houses are built, leashed dogs are permitted. Dogs are also allowed in Stinson Beach’s picnic area by Eskoot Creek.  Directions: Take the Beach exit from Highway 1. Turn right to the parking lots and park at the north end. Go right at the sign “no pets allowed on beach”. Where the private houses start, dogs are allowed.
www.stinsonbeachonline.com/

Bolinas Beach: Dogs are allowed to run off leash. Dogs should always be under voice control, as there are horseback riders. Directions: Follow the main street in Bolinas, Wharf Road, to the end.

Dogs are also permitted on Muir Beach, Rodeo Beach and Lagoon and the North and South Point Reyes Beach. 


Places to hike

Although leashes are law on all preserve’s trails, your pooch can be off leash on the fire roads. 

Indian Tree Open Space Preserve, Novato: If the weather is hot, these trails are probably the best choice. Walking through cool, shaded woodlands of oak keeps you and your four-legged friend cool. At the top you mostly can also expect a cool place because it is often foggy. Dogs are allowed off leash on fire roads - watch horses!

Directions: Take the DeLong Avenue Exit from U.S.101. It becomes Diablo Avenue. Turn left on Hill Road and take a right on Indian Valley Road. Drive all the way to the end, park the car on this road and walk left at the spur road marked “Not a through Street” at the south of Old Ranch Road. Cross Arroyo Avichi Creek right at the entrance. 
415-499-6387

Gary Giacomini Open Space Preserve, Woodacre: In the lower areas you will find the old-growth redwoods; the higher you walk the grassier it gets. For a fun route park at the intersection of the Redwood Canyon Drive and start your hike at the nearby trailhead.
Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Divide Open Space Preserve: from the ridge you have a wonderful view of the turquoise-roofed Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael and the bay and hills of Solano County. You can either climb up to the ridge or use the highest entrance on the ridge.
Directions: drive to the very end of Ridgewood Drive and step over that low locked gate.
415-499-6387

 

More open space preserves and parks recommended for dogs:

Fairfax: Cascade Canyon Open Space Preserve

Mill Valley: Mount Tamalpais State Park, Bayfront Park

Novato: Mount Burdell Open Space Preserve, Dog bone Meadow Dog Park, Deer Island Open Space Preserve 

San Anselmo: Loma Alta Open space Preserve, Sorich Ranch Park

San Rafael: Fields of Dogs, San Pedro Mountain Open Space Preserve, Santa Venetia Marsh Open Space Preserve

Dog Friendly Restaurants

Larkspur: Marin Brewing Company, 1809 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415-461-4677. Try the own-brewed beer and a sandwich at the nine outdoor tables outside.

Inverness: Priscilla’s Pizza and Café, 12781 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, 415-669-1244. Enjoy your pizza, pasta, salad or sandwich with your doggy at the large side patio.
 
San Anselmo: Bubba’s Diner, 566 San Anselmo Avenue, 415-459-6862. A popular place to get healthful, delicious food. You can enjoy your salad or salmon with your four-legged friend either at the awning-shaded tables or on the benches in front of the restaurant.

San Rafael: Panama Hotel and Restaurant, 4 Bayview Street, 415-457-3993. Probably the most pet friendly place in Marin. They even offer a "Yappy Hour" with discounts and free organic dog biscuits for your pooch (Tuesday-Friday 4-6pm).

Tiburon: Paradise Hamburgers and Ice Cream, 1694 Tiburon Boulevard, 415-435-8823. These dog friendly owners invite you and your pet to hot dogs, burgers and ice cream.
 

The most Pet-Friendly Lodgings

Extended Stay Deluxe Hotel: gives you the choice of budget studios for business travel, relocation, temporary housing or vacations as well as suites for daily, weekly and monthly rentals. Pets are allowed and a fee will be charged. Beyond this, please be respectful of other guests and be sure to stay attentive of your pet. Please contact the Extended Stay hotel directly to learn more about the pet friendly program and to secure a full copy of the pet policy. 1775 Francisco Blvd East, San Rafael, 415-451-1887 or 800-EXT-STAY, www.extendedstayhotels.com.

Gerstle Park Inn: The inn is the perfect getaway location for you and the four-legged member of your family. It features several rooms in the main house with handy outsiede access that is perfect for dog walking. Apart from the main house, there are several cottages with fully-equipped kitchens that make traveling with "man's best friend" easy and convenient on longer stays. 34 Grove Street, San Rafael, (415) 721-7611 or (800) 726-7611, www.gerstleparkinn.com/.

Inn Marin: A very pet friendly and accessible hotel. Grooming and daycare can be booked. You can bring up to two pets perunit (fee required). It features excellent amenities for people with disabilities and people traveling on business. Call 415-883-5952 for rates. 250 Entrada Drive, Novato, www.innmarin.com.

Inverness Valley Inn: The Inn welcomes a limited number of "perfectly behaved" dogs with prior telephone reservation. Of their 20 rooms and suites, six are designated "dog friendly". The fee for dog guests is $25 for the first night and $10 for subsequent nights of your stay. A fenced-in dog run, dog beds, and "biobags" are provided. 13275 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, 415-669-7250 or 800-4160405,  www.invernessvalleyinn.com.

Marin Suites Hotel: With 100 spacious suites the Marin Suites provides exceptional attention to their guests with their unique needs. Up to two Dogs (limit: 20 pounds) can stay with you in one room for a fee. 45 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, 415-924-3608 or 800-362-3372, www.marinsuites.com.

Panama Hotel and Restaurant: The Hotel offers three their ground floor rooms for pets. These rooms feature tile or hardwood floors. They provide pet bowls, towels and a small canister with liners for pet waste. The pet fee is $15 per night per pet, with a two pet maxium. A refundable $200 cleaning deposit is required at check in. 4 Bayview Street, San Rafael, 415-457-3993, www.panamahotel.com.

TraveLodge: Located in beautiful Marin County, the TraveLodge offers amenities like a Suite with Fireplace, an Outdoor pool, spa and Fitness Center. You can bring your pooch for an additional fee. 7600 Redwood Blvd, Novato, 415-892-7500, www.traveLodge.com.

Villa Inn: You can bring one dog in this hotel, it stays for free. 1600 Lincoln Avenue, San Rafael, 415-456-4975 or 888-845-5246, www.villainn.com.

For more information visiting Marin County with pets check:    
www.marinopenspace.org

Download our pet guide here.

Source: The Dog Lover’s Companion to California by Maria Goodavage