A Furry Friendly Holiday

Travel writer CeliaSue Hecht highlights for our readers, one of the best vacation spots on the west coast for people who like to travel with man's best friend.

(CARMEL, Calif.) - The holidays are approaching. You may not be wishing for a white or cold holiday but you'd like to have fun with the family. Problem is, what to do with your furry family members, Fido and Fluffy? This year, rather than leaving your pooches in a kennel, why not have a doggone good time in Carmel by the Sea, California, acclaimed as the most dog-friendly town in America.

Located a few hours south of San Francisco, the town of Carmel offers visitors many fun pet activities and accommodations for four-legged friends and their owners.

l. Carmel beach is where all the dogs roam free off leash... It is located right at the foot of Ocean Avenue, and is officially called Carmel Town Beach. There are dogs galore splashing, swimming, running and chasing one another here. At some designated times, there are also dog clubs, with a pack of daschunds, or other breeds of dogs having their fun in the sand.

2. Carmel is where the art is.... Many of the art galleries in Carmel welcome pets. The Blue Dog Gallery has paintings of blue dogs by artist George Rodrigue.

3. Pet stores where dogs rule and drool. Diggidy Dog, a dog and cat boutique, is a really fun pet specialty shop that features baked goods, clothing, costumes, toys, treats and so much more that your dog will be wagging their tail and want to go back for more. Located at Mission and Ocean Avenue, across from the Carmel Plaza.

The Raw Connection at 26549 Carmel Rancho Blvd. (near the Barnyard Shopping Center) is the place to go for raw pet food, They have freezer cases filled with yummy organic and healthy delights and aisles filled with freeze dried, canned, dry and dehydrated foods, and supplements. Call 831-626-7555 for more info about classes, training and events.

Chateau le Paws at 244 Crossroads Blvd. takes pet pampering to a whole new level. This is an upscale dog boutique offering art, bakery, beds, books, bowls, clothes, collars and pillows for cats and dogs. They also offer grooming services.

4. Only in Carmel is there Carmel Canines, a mobile salon and health spa for pooches which offers dogs manicures and pedicures for four legged furry creatures.

5. Dine together The Cypress Inn owned by Doris Day welcomes well behaved dogs in the lobby to eat breakfast with their owners. They also offer daily Doggie Cocktail Hour in the Library bar. The Cypress Inn displays a "Dictionary of Dogs" near the fireplace just in case you want to read about your pampered pooches breed. Cypress Inn (800/443-7443)

And there are a variety of choices of restaurants where Fido can sit beside you outside and Forge in the Forest even has a menu for your four legged companions. The Forge in the Forest Restaurant (831/624-2233)

The Vagabond House Inn offers doggie amenities including a portable doggie bed, take home toy, treats, bowl and scarf. Breakfast is delivered to your door in the morning, plus there is a wine and cheese tasting in the afternoon in the lobby. Stay in a two room suite with a queen bed, couch, writing desk, and fireplace. Plus, a refrigerator, coffee maker and dining table. The luxurious bathroom has full shower and separate tub, and Elemis bath amenities. Visit tehm Online at: vagabondshouseinn.com/

Svensgaard Inn offers European ambience, 35 guest rooms and suites, half of them are pet friendly, some rooms have fireplaces and spa tubs, and kitchens. There is onsite parking which is very important in Carmel. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cookies are available in the lobby in the afternoon and a nice cold breakfast delivered to your room by 8 am. There is a sparkling pool as well as a grassy courtyard and pet amenities galore including the barking treat jar in the lobby. Visit them Online at: innsbythesea.com/svendsgaard/

Hofsas House is a Bavarian-style, four-story house built on a hill with ocean views. It is a family owned, operated and oriented inn with artistic murals in keeping with the Carmel community. There are 38 rooms, 19 are pet friendly. Dogs are allowed by the pool with their owner. There is a meeting room available for 25-30 people for business retreats, women's groups, knitting groups, sewing groups, quilting groups and the meeting room has a fireplace and full kitchen. An inn with a sense of what Bavarians call Gemutlichkeit. Visit them Online at: hofsashouse.com

Happy Landing Inn is an adorable and quaint inn a few steps from the pet friendly Carmel beach.Two women entrepreneurs, Dawn and Diane, are the innkeepers. There are seven rooms and all of them are pet friendly. Breakfast is served at your door around 8:30. Visit them Online at: carmelhappylanding.com/

7. Don't forget to visit the famous Fountain of Woof at the Carmel Plaza on Ocean Avenue where your pooch can slurp up some refreshment. Call 831-624-1385 for more info.

8. And if your dog wants to become a star, be sure to get in on the casting call for the next Official Carmel Dog Calendar. Call 800-550-4333 for more info.

CeliaSue Hecht is a published travel writer, co-author of five romantic travel guides and dog travel blogger (celiasue.wordpress.com). Her work has appeared in more than 40 publications including Entrepreneur, USA Today, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Boston.com, the Reno Gazette Journal, Nevada Appeal, Parents magazine, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Record Courier, Auto Channel News, Marin Independent Journal, Napa News, Las Vegas Review Journal, Las Vegas SUN, Las Vegas Business Press, Real Woman magazine, Courier magazine, Nevada Woman magazine, Salem-News, Monterey County Weekly, Auburn Journal, Nevada Business Journal, NorthBay Biz magazine, Parents magazine, Senior Spectrum, Desert Trail, Hi-Desert Star, Boca Raton Daily News, First Class magazine, In Light Times, Soulfulliving.com, Working Spirit newsletter, HealthyWealthynWise, Small Business Briefs and more.