By Stacey Wittig
With 2022 in full swing, you and your four-legged traveling companion might be looking for your next port of call. Here’s a list of the best pet-friendly destinations for the upcoming year—let us know which one you choose!
Kanab, Utah
Be sure to put Best Friends Animal Sanctuary near Kanab, Utah, on your 2022 bucket list. The nation’s largest sanctuary of its kind rests in the red rocks of Angel Canyon, just 30 minutes from Zion National Park.
The no-kill shelter houses over 1600 animals at any given time. Whether you love dogs, cats, birds, horses, rabbits, pigs, or wild animals, you’re sure to meet them all on a weekend visit. Opportunities to volunteer, tours and workshops make this an educational and fun getaway.
Stay at Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile, purpose-built for pet-centric travel. Architects designed the lodging complex for the needs of our furry friends. While sniffing out its off-leash dog park, you’ll find a dog splash water feature. The DIY pet spa, grooming table and stainless steel dog-washing stations make clean-up easy after fun times on nearby trails. Art celebrating pets and the outdoors is everywhere, making this memorable escape even more exceptional.
San Diego, California
Get your toes and paws in the sand at one of many dog-friendly beaches. First, go off-leash at the North Beach Dog Run at Coronado, with incredible harbor views. Alternatively, play fetch at renowned Dog Beach, one of the first official off-leash beaches in the country. This beach offers a 24/7 off-leash pleasure in the Ocean Beach neighborhood. After a day at the beach, head to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, where you’ll find a multitude of dog-friendly restaurants.
St. Augustine, Florida
Another woof-worth beach escape is Florida’s Historic Coast, with 42 miles of dog-friendly beaches and handy outdoor showers that rinse the sand from two feet or four paws. At night, enjoy the local food culture, which includes ultra-fresh seafood, at almost 100 restaurants that offer pet-friendly patio dining.
St. Augustine, the oldest European city on the continent, welcomes four-legged guests at many of its historical attractions, which draw visitors from across the country. Don’t miss drinking from the natural spring at Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, exploring the Oldest Wooden School House, or poking around the Spanish Military Hospital Museum—all with your furry friend.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santafeans love their pets, and that love transfers into making four-legged travelers and their humans feel exceptionally welcome to “The City Different.” The foodie destination is known for its unique cuisine, a blend of Native, Spanish, and Frontier flavors. And the good news is, you needn’t leave your canine companion behind during dinner.
With over 75 restaurants allowing pets at outdoor tables, it’s easy to explore the walkable city with your furry companion. Then, head to The Cat resale stores to sniff out designer and high-end fashions, collectibles, Native jewelry, vintage clothing, and original art. Locals donate to the boutique, which benefits homeless cats and dogs at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter. Add the many trails perfect for getting outdoors and stretching all four legs under the enchanting New Mexican skies, and you’ll find Santa Fe is an ideal destination for you and your pup.
Mesa and Queen Creek, Arizona
The East Valley, filled with wide-open spaces and water holes, is the perfect pet-friendly getaway. The area is très pooch-friendly with many restaurants and breweries that give a tail-wagging welcome. Don’t miss Queen Creek Olive Mill, where food is spot-on, the Superstition Coffee is said to be the best in the Valley, and dogs are welcome on the patio under shady olive trees. Enjoy Olive Oil tours happening daily to blind-test the farmer’s award-winning virgin olive oils.
Hike the 3.5-mile, out-and-back Wave Cave Trail that climbs through Saguaro forests to a large cave with surprisingly comfortable sandy floors.
Pet-friendly accommodations include the unique glamping experience at The Cozy Peach located on Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek. Vintage Airstreams sport original light fixtures and crazy cool 70s features upgraded with Netflix on the flat-screen TV, microwave, comfy new mattresses, and 100% cotton robes. Hence the term ‘glamping,’ enjoyed when experiencing nature meets glamorous amenities.
Stacey Wittig is a travel writer who makes her home near Flagstaff. If you enjoyed this article, then check out her tips and travel inspiration at unstoppablestaceytravel.com.
