Dog Heaven

For the second time, San Diego has won the title of Dogtown USA, awarded by Dog Fancy magazine to the supposedly most “dog-friendly” place in America. Actually we won for most dog-friendly big city. Huntingon Beach won for most dog-friendly mid-sized city, and Carmel-by-the-Sea took the honors in the small town department. If it sounds as if California has a lock on this contest, Colorado Springs won last year; Portland (Oregon) did in 2006, and Chicago got the nod in 2005.  (But San Diego also took the title in 2007.)

The September issue of Dog Fancy, in which the contest results were announced, didn’t offer a lot of detail about why San Diego deserved to win. Apparently readers submit nominations, and “editors then research each city to name the winner based on the presence of dog-friendly activities, restaurants and businesses, dog parks, medical specialists, pro-dog legislation, and other criteria.” The magazine did point out that San Diego, home to more than 300,000 dogs, has at least 15 designated off-leash parks and beaches, along with “dog-friendly businesses and restaurants…picturesque hiking trails,” and some cute special events (the “Dog Days” every summer at Petco and the Humane Society’s annual Fur Ball).

I find the San Diego Convention & Visitor’s Bureau’s guide to “Traveling with Your Pet” to be more illuminating. It lists 20 “pet-friendly” local hotels and gives some clue to the level of friendliness.  The Hotel Solamar downtown tops the list with no size limit, no extra fees, and complimentary amenities (designer pet bed for in-room use, water bowl with distilled water, pet treats & toy on arrival), but others prohibit Big Dogs (anyone weighing over 20 pounds at the Best Western Mission Valley!) or sock it to their owners. (The La Valencia, for example, accepts canines lodgers weighing up to 65 pounds but charges $75 extra per day for deigning to do it.)  The Westgate bites in two directions: doggy guests can weigh no more than 25 pounds, and their humans have to cough up a $500 (refundable) deposit. 

ConVis’s website also lists 14 restaurants that supposedly welcome dogs on their outdoor terraces, along with several boutiques and bakeries. Personally, I think San Diego County merits attention from dog lovers for a couple of other reasons.  Oceanside is home to the national Southwest Regional Headquarters of Canine Companions for Independence organization, which means we have a large army of folks raising puppies who are striving to become companions to the disabled. Among other events, this means San Diego is home to the annual “Woofstock” festival. And who could forget the doggy surfing competitions that unfold here every summer? But that’s another story.