Guests frequently ask if Sea Ranch is a dog-friendly location which we happily answer with a resounding, “Yes, especially when staying at Abalone Bay our dog-passionate vacation rental!” From the moment you book with us to your final farewell, we make sure you have everything you need* to plan your next vacation at Sea Ranch. We pamper both you and your dog.
On this page, you’ll learn more about our amenities, recommendations* for a fun-filled vacation, our rules for dogs at pet friendly Abalone Bay, as well as helpful hints for traveling with your dog.
Dogs on Vacation!
” I would highly recommend Abalone Bay for your next Sea Ranch vacation – and if you have dogs you MUST bring them!”
Cheryl B from Rescue, California
Naturally, as owners of two dogs, we understand how important it is to bring the whole family along on vacation! Sadly there are not many Sea Ranch pet-friendly vacation rentals to be found. That is why Abalone Bay is a favorite dog-friendly vacation rental. Just check out our reviews from previous guests.
What Dog-Friendly Amenities Will We Find?
Abalone Bay offers amenities not only for you but also for your dog! Be assured your dog and you will certainly have a great time knowing we have included his needs in our home too. Check them out below:
Fully enclosed courtyard with hot tub.
Please do not have pets on the furniture without it.
Poop bags and No Touch Pooper Scooper – Swivel Bin & Rake scooper for ease of cleaning up after your pet.
Floor welcome mat to wipe paws on when coming in from the beach- works well on your “paws” too.
Feeding dishes and dining floor mats for large and small dogs.
Doggy Towels for cleaning paws.
Pet First Aid Kit includes comprehensive first aid supplies, an emergency pet thermometer, collar, tick remover, first aid book, and a handy mini pouch.
Dog Tags assure if your pup takes his own self-guided tour of Sea Ranch the neighbors will know who to call.
Dog leashes are available should you have forgotten your own. They make great gift items too!
What Are the Requirements for Guests with Dogs?
While Abalone Bay and Sea Ranch, in general, is dog friendly, there are specific rules that you must follow. By knowing the rules ahead of time will assure you and your dog have a happy vacation together.
- At the time of booking, please inform us if you plan to bring your dog.
- Abalone Bay has a 2 dog limit.
- Be aware that loud barking is not allowed per our HOA. Sharp, loud sounds can travel through our windows to pester our neighbors. If your pet is inclined to say howdy to all the hikers passing by on the trails please keep him away from the windows.
- Please take extra care to dry and clean dog paws prior to entering the home.
- Out of respect for our home and furnishings, please do not allow your dog on the furniture.
- If your dog insists on getting on the furniture, please take the time to cover the furniture piece with the provided sheet cover or our pet throw.
- All dogs are required to be kept on a leash when not in our courtyard.
- Do not leave your dog alone at any time. If you need a pet-sitter please see added amenities
- Your pet must not bark or otherwise disturb the neighbors. Security may be called if the dog is too loud
- Due to raccoons and other scavenger animals that will enter the yard and homes, feed your dog inside Abalone Bay. Do not leave food in the courtyard.
Don’t be THAT Guest!
When walking the trails please DON’T BE THAT GUEST!
Sea Ranch Abalone Bay provides litter bags for your fur-baby to pick up after your pets both at our home and while on the trails to avoid added cleaning charges or fines.
BUT if hanging onto its warm squishy contents in a thin walled baggie while walking the trails makes you gag, don’t just tuck it away on the trail! And using camouflaged green doesn’t make it any better, especially if you find your short term memory is getting shorter by the minute and you don’t remember to fetch it before you leave.
What to Pack When Hiking the Trails with Your Dog
We suggest you purchase, pack and USE any of these items:
Dog poop backpack
👉Leash poop holder
DIY Options
Or consider creating a DIY Poop bag carrier made by usingClimbing chalk bag Old peanut butter jar and duct tape (because who wants to look at it in the jar
What Do You Recommend When Traveling with Our Dog
Below are travel tips we’ve found to be helpful for our dogs:
- Carrier or crate – We strongly recommend you crate your pet when staying at Abalone Bay
- Sturdy, well-fitting nylon or leather collar or harness, license tag, ID tag(s), and leash
- Birth certificate and other required documents
- Food and water dishes – Abalone Bay provides small dishes and a floor pad
- Manual can opener and spoon for canned food for when you are on the road-Abalone Bay provides both manual and electric openers
- An ample supply of food, plus a few days’ extra
- Medication, if necessary
- Healthy treats
- A blanket or other bedding – Abalone Bay has a throw for the sofa and a box of old towels in the laundry room. Please do not let your pets on the furniture without it.
- Litter supplies and plastic bags for on the road- Abalone Bay provides litter bags. Guests must pick up after their pets to avoid added cleaning charges.
- Favorite toys
- Chewing preventative – To keep your dog from teething on the furniture
- Grooming supplies as needed
- First-aid kit
- A recent photograph and a written description, including microchip number, name, breed, gender, height, weight, coloring and distinctive markings
- We strongly recommend your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date. Be sure you keep children and pets from approaching or touching wild or strange animals.
Are There Ticks and Other Hazards in Sea Ranch?
While hiking beware of ticks. Unlike the Northeast, ticks are active year-round in California. One can get Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases at any time of the year. Coastal areas such as Sea Ranch are considered high-risk areas. Yet Sonoma County Health Services only counted 7 confirmed human cases in 2014.
It is important to stay on the marked trails and out of the meadow grasses to avoid ticks and comply with The Sea Ranch Association Rules and Regulations for the community of The Sea Ranch. Do be sure to check your pet (and yourselves) for ticks after your hikes before entering Abalone Bay.
Learn more about ticks in Sonoma County.
See our blog posts about dogs and ticks:
Keep Your Dog with You
Pets should be with you as much as possible during your stay so they do not bark and whine longingly for you or get into mischief while you are away. If you must leave a pet alone, we recommend leaving them in a pet crate or cage designed for them.
If your dog barks loudly the neighbors will notify The Sea Ranch Security. Once notified the security is obligated to visit the situation. You can be requested to leave if the dog is considered a nuisance.
Learn more: Telegraph News- Dogs left at home alone ‘as traumatized as children’
Is there a Dog-Friendly Off-Leash Park in Sea Ranch?
After being on a leash all day, you want your dog to have a safe spot for your dog to run, sniff and socialize. Then you’ll want to visit The Sea Ranch Dog Park. To get to the park from Highway One, turn east on Deer Trail (Mile Marker 56.88) and drive a short distance to the first rock driveway on the right, and park within the fenced-in area. Take the walking path east to the dog park.
Across from the Dog Park parking area, to the west of Coast Highway 1 is Del Mar Recreation Center. See Google Maps
Additionally, information about other dog-friendly hikes in the Mendonoma region is found at www.NatureDogs.com – California Regions: Sonoma County (Bay Area) and Mendocino County (North Coast).
Are There Special Doggy Add-On Packages Available?
Pet Photo Shoot at Sea Ranch
We invite you to arrange for a personalized photo-shoot with our local pet photographer, Anne Mary Schaefer, of PawPawrazzi Pet Photography. Your personalized Pawtrait Rendezvous includes a Pre-consult to discuss your wants and ideas. You and Anne will chart the details of your session to make sure your pet’s unique personality shines as she captures the connection you share.
Self-Guided Tours of Sea Ranch
We provide maps and trail guides for self-guided tours along The Sea Ranch Trails. You can also download an audio architecture tour that offers you an immersive means to enhance your traveler experience. With this and other digital walking tours available, you and your “furiend” will gain a deeper sense of place together.
Other Dog-Friendly Resources
Dog-friendly Hikes in Sonoma County
North Coast Dog-Friendly Locations
California Wine Country Dog-Friendly Locations
VETERINARY AND PET SERVICES
Should your dog require attention from a veterinarian while staying at The Sea Ranch:
Dr. Jennifer Frankot – Owner, DVM & MBA
Spirit Veterinary Services
In-home visits
HOURS:
M-Fri: (House calls by appointment)
Thurs: 8:30 am-12:00 pm (VACCINE CLINIC)
Stewarts Point @ Skaggs Springs Rd & Hwy 1
(707) 840-3410
Humane Society
Redwood Coast Humane Society, P.O. Box 1072, Gualala, CA 95445
Email: redwoodcoasthumane@gmail.com, Phone: (707) 884-1304
Website: http://www.redwoodcoasthumane.org/
The Redwood Coast Humane Society location provides pet adoption assistance, lost and found support, and spay & neuter services. This is a small facility providing adoption services primarily for cats with some limited referrals for dogs.
Pet Sitters / Groomers / Boarding
There are a few pet groomers and pet sitters in the Mendonoma area. We recommend you contact them prior to your arrival to interview them, check their references and pre-book for your night out without the 4-footed kids.
Pet Sitter and Nanny
Stacy Weeks is the Traveling Nanny. She has worked in family homes for over 20 years caring for pets and kids (including newborns up to preteens and twins.). Our Traveling Nanny is CPR certified and has great references. Stacy loves caring for your family while staying at Abalone Bay. She can be contacted by email: mendosweetheart707@gmail.com, or through her cell 707-357-4105. She looks forward to hearing from you!
House of Dogg, Inc.
House of Dogg INC. located on the ridge in beautiful Gualala California. it is a one of kind doggie day care and overnight kenneling services in the area. There are plenty of activities for dogs, both big and small. Our expert team members provide love, play and affection tailored to your dog. We are open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm, open weekends by appointment only. And closed Tuesdays
Samantha Allen, Pet-Sitter
Samantha is a local pet sitter who lives in Sea Ranch and has been dog walking and pet sitting for years.
Contact: Samantha_allen91@yahoo.com (prefer email for initial contact because cell phone reception is so spotty in our area!)
Call: 707-684-9708
Deborah Light, Pet-Sitter
References available.
Call: 707-472-6945
Tami Roseberry, Pet-Sitter
References available
roseberrytamars@yahoo.
Call: 707-367-2563
Mendonoma Pet Care
From their website:
How it works: We come to your home and care for your pet. On the first day, we’ll send an email with a report to let you know everything is going as planned. A follow up report will come by email at the end of your trip. Feel free to call to check how your pet is doing. Click here for services and rates
Pawsitevely Good K9 Grooming:
We have used Pawsitevely Good K9 Grooming for our Maltese’s beauty needs and can whole heartily recommend it for your pet’s holiday grooming needs. Without exception, owner and groomer, Aida Sol is wonderful with your pet and a miracle worker when it comes to eliminating evidence of a close encounter of the skunk kind.
Located at 39150 Ocean Drive, Suite, Gualala, CA 95445.
Call for an appointment at 707-321-0779.
Website: http://pawsitivelygood.net/
OTHER HELPFUL HINTS FOR PET-FRIENDLY TRAVELING
Laws for securing Animals While Being Transported in Vehicles
While there are no federal laws restricting travel with your pet, many states, however, have specific restrictions. Many have laws specifically requiring animals to be secured when being transported in an open area of a vehicle. In some cases, the laws apply only to dogs. None of the laws require the animal to be restrained or secured if inside an enclosed part of the vehicle. It is best to review the state(s) you will be traveling in for their specific laws, especially as laws and regulations are frequently updated.
California (see CA Motor Vehicle Code 23117) requires all animals to be restrained or contained when being transported on a load-bearing part of the vehicle, unless the space is enclosed. Drivers who break this law may incur fines anywhere from $50 to $200.
Below are links to advise on traveling with your dog
- Pointers for traveling with your pet- AAA
- Travel Safely with Your Pet by Car, Airplane, Ship, or Train . Humane Society
Pet-Friendly Skies: USA Federal Aviation Guides
Airport Doggy Stops
Of course, even The U. S.Department of Transportation (DOT) is dog friendly! Regulations designed to help airplane passengers with service animals went into effect May 13, 2009. In the event your dog must relieve himself, you are in luck. All USA airlines must make sure there are pet relief areas, and escorts to those relief areas, for any passenger traveling with a service animal. Airlines and airports have been instructed to work together to make this happen. Airports everywhere are creating, upgrading and expanding pet relief areas that are open to all.
- USA Map with information about airport doggy stop locations
- Airports offer relief for you and your pet
BE CERTAIN YOU CHECK FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS THAT FOR ALL LEGS OF YOUR TRIP! Many airlines will restrict travel for animals if the weather is too hot or cold.
Click here to see a Google Search Listing of Airline Pet Policies
Websites Specifically for Traveling with Your Dog
Of course, you can always go to the various vacation rental sites and click on the pet/dog-friendly criteria button. Or you may visit these websites that focus only on dog-cation locations and information to help you plan for your pet-perfect holiday. We hope you find them helpful.
- DogTrekker.com: Provides information on dog-friendly locations in Northern and Central California.
- BringFido.com: A dog travel directory that provides unbiased reviews, detailed pet policy information, and online reservations at more than 25,000 pet-friendly hotels through a partnership with Travelocity.
- PetsWelcome.com A dog travel directory with added resources
- DogVacay.com Online resource to locate dog sitters in your neighborhood
- Rover.com Online resource to locate dog sitters in your neighborhood
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