Guest Post: To Yosemite and Beyond!
Where are you headed this Labor Day Weekend? Hopefully, somewhere fun with your dog! We took our long weekend early, and explored Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas. Interested in doing your own trip there?
Let's start with a little choose your own adventure quiz:
A) You want to hike tons of trails in Yosemite National Park.
B) You want to bring your lovable four-legged friend with you to Yosemite National Park.
Sorry, but you can't choose both (always my first choice). If you're die-hard for A, you may be better off leaving your dog at home with a friend and a good toy (there is a day-use kennel in Yosemite, but it is very bare bones - think nothin' but cage- and not a good choice for active or anxious dogs). But, if you're like me, and your dog is almost always right by your side, there are plenty of ways to make a short trip to Yosemite (and nearby additional amazing spots) exciting and fulfilling for 4 and 2-legged creatures alike.
Here's the short of it: As implied by our little quiz, in Yosemite, you can't have your cake (dog) and eat it (hike it) too. It's a national park and they don't let dogs go hiking in there. Take a deep breath. Yes, I know this seemingly makes no sense: "You're telling me my dog is banned from outside?" (I was asking this question myself). But, my level-headed husband (and park information) reminded me, there are serious wildlife hazards that do prohibit pups from roaming safely (bears, cougars, and rattlesnakes are no joke), and, unfortunately, not all dog-owners are responsible people (Shame on you! Pick up that poop, take your puppies to training classes, socialize them, and get a non-retractable leash already!).
Knowing these restrictions, I was a little worried when planning our first trip to Yosemite that we'd miss out on everything good the park has to offer. But this was a first-pass trip for us, and we planned our 3-day weekend trip to be a taste of Yosemite, Mammoth, and Stanislaus- I'll get to those later. I did, however, collect as much information as I could on what can be done with dogs in this amazing natural wonder we call Yosemite.
First, stop worrying that you’ll miss EVERYTHING. As a first time traveler to Yosemite, I was awestruck by all that I saw (yes, with my dog at my side)- even in one day. It is simply an amazing place, and any way you can see it - Fido in tow or not- you will doubtless be astounded & appreciative.
Second, let’s get down to details. There aren’t many on the National Park website. While the Yosemite National Park website does have an entire page of information on pets, for a first-time traveler to Yosemite, it seems too vague. The information that is there basically tells you that pets can be in developed areas and on paved roads or trails, unless there's a sign that says no pets. Umm.... thanks, that's helpful. If you’ve never been, that really doesn’t mean much. (To be fair, the site does a little better than that, listing specific campsites that are not pet-friendly, and 4 roads that are.) Other than that, though, when looking up trails in Yosemite, if the description doesn't mention pets, assume it's not pet friendly. I looked through 4 or 5 different hiking area trail maps for the Park, and the only one that even mentioned pets was one hike in Wawona (the Meadow loop- an easy hike). I naively kept looking for little paw symbols by trail descriptions, hoping for the familiar dog-friendly designation. I’ll save you the time: don’t bother. But don’t dismay either! Here’s a quick introduction for taking Fido to Yosemite . . . and beyond!
- You can do any of the following walks with your dog: Yosemite Valley’s 4 mile loop (for views of Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan, Cathedral Beach, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and meadows); Wawona Meadow Loop and Wawona 4 mile fire road (for BIG TREES!), Carlon Road (near Hodgen Meadow), and Old Big Oak Flat Road (between Hogden Meadow and Hazel Green Creek- a stretch of road to the Northwest of Yosemite Valley). No bones about it: these are not secluded trail walks or heart-pumping hikes- all are paved paths or roads, dogs must always be on leash, and many of these are not covered by trees- ie, the path gets very hot in the summer time. But you will see beautiful spots. In addition, Bridalveil Falls, has a nice, short (maybe 5 min), paved trail through the woods up to the falls, and the path runs along a stream (which, unofficially, we have just let our pup cool off in!)
- Olmstead Point, along the Tioga Road/120, has gorgeous views of the valley, and a giant rock face area for stretching Fido’s legs.
- Weather permitting (the road is mainly closed Nov-May), you can drive up to Glacier Point for astounding views of Yosemite. Think Ansel Adams.
- Many campsites are dog-friendly, but call ahead.
- Unfortunately Hetch Hetchy, Mirror Lake, and Vernal Fall are all spots you’ll have to save for a Fido-free trip - since these spots are only accessible by trails, you can’t see them with your dog.
- If there’s a road (and it’s not closed due to weather-related factors), you can do the lazy-man’s drive-by tour of many sites. For a first-time visitor with only 1 or 2 days, this will actually keep you not only very happy with all you get to see, but also very busy! It's also not so bad to be a little bit of a princess when the temperatures get up to nearly 100 in the summer time. A good itinerary for one busy day in Yosemite with the dog would be to drive around the valley (or walk the loop if it’s not too hot and you have time) and drive to Glacier Point and Olmstead Point for views. You’ll be satisfied, I swear. But Fido may need some more time to run around after all that driving.
Speaking of which, while you’re in the area, the following spots are not more than a few hours drive from Yosemite, and are far less restrictive about dog rules:
- Mammoth Lakes - Including Lake Mary, Twin Lakes, Lake George, and more, with dog-friendly trails and spots to swim (just watch out for fishers!). Also, catch killer views from the Mammoth Vista atop Mammoth Mountain, and spots in the Inyo National Forest, including Devil’s Postpile, Rainbow Falls, and Minaret Lake. (An important note: from 7am- 7pm, the only access to these spots if you don’t have a hiking permit is to board a shuttle- it is dog-friendly, but they must be wearing a muzzle while on board. Muzzles are available for purchase, or bring your own from home). There are trails ‘a plenty, all of them dog-friendly (and often off-leash). Also, Mammoth is a very cute (and very dog-friendly) town, with plenty of outdoor seating and Fido-friendly store owners.
- Mono Lake - A lake saltier than the ocean! Dogs need to be on leash, but there are some beautiful and interesting walks along the lake, including the South Toufa loop.
- Stanislaus National Forest - With the exception of the beach/day use area at Pinecrest Lake, you’ll be hard pressed to find a “No Dogs Allowed” sign. Here you can fulfill your desire to hike with your dog, on pretty much any trail you can find. This forest is vast, beautiful, and wild and rugged looking. There are TONS of hiking trails, spots to climb rocks, camping sites, places to swim in streams, and plenty of opportunities to test out your driving skills up and down curvy and wide-open roads. While Yosemite Valley is crowded with tourists and cars, Stanislaus seems undiscovered in comparison. Dogs are welcome, and for the most part can be off-leash (as far as we saw!). Ahhh, a sigh of relief for active dogs and their owners everywhere
As for lodging, there are many dog-friendly campsites in Yosemite (with the exception of a few listed on the pet page) and in Stanislaus. Or, if you prefer not to ruff (har har) it, there's the (very expensive) Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite, Mammoth Mountain Inn or Tamarack Lodge on Mammoth Mountain, or the following pet-friendly chains with locations in neighboring towns: Shilo Inns (Oakhurst, Mammoth), Comfort/Quality Inn (Oakhurst, Mammoth, Mariposa), or the Westin (Mammoth), to name a few. As always, check Fido Factor for more local information, and to add your own reviews!
This information is by no means exhaustive, and I certainly can't claim to be an expert on Yosemite! But, we did have a blast on our 3-day tour of these areas, and hopefully you will too!
Guest Post by: Kristen D. Like what you see? Check out more of Captain the Vizsla and all of his adventures on It's a Vizsla Thing.
Guest Post: Don’t Stress Your Dog (or Yourself!) Out During Your Move
Normally, life with a pet is all about reducing stress. Having animals around reduces stress for humans so much that some people volunteer their dogs to be therapeutic animals, and visit people who are disabled or recovering from an illness. Some doctors even prescribe visits from therapeutic animals for their patients.
But there are three times when life with a pet adds stress -- for you and for the pet. The first time is during the adoption itself, when a pet and its family are still getting to know each other and feel safe around each other. The second time is when pets themselves are ill or injured. And the third time is during a move. Still, there are ways to reduce that stress -- again, for you AND your dog. Try these tips:
- Don't pass your worry on to your dog. Your dog will be able to tell if you are stressed out or irritated. If you can't help feeling that way, then take extra time to spend time with and reassure your dog. Try to convey the message that even though your dog may not understand what is going on, you've got everything under control.
- Plan carefully for your trip. Prepare by taking the following steps:
- Take your dog to the vet before the move, and get caught up on any needed vaccinations. Ask your vet's advice about the moving process, while you are at it.
- If your dog will be traveling in a travel kennel, make sure that the kennel is big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. Attach your contact information (preferably including your cell phone number) to the kennel, along with copies of vaccination records and your veterinarian's certificate that your dog is healthy enough to travel. Attach a plastic bag of extra food as well. Also, make sure that your dog is comfortable with the kennel ahead of time -- keep the kennel into your living room for a few weeks before the trip, putting treats inside it every so often. You might want to put an old unwashed shirt or other article of clothing that smells like you inside the kennel as well.
- Make sure your dog is wearing a collar that has vaccination tags and identification (with your cell phone number) attached.
- Choose carefully whether to travel by car or by air. Don't travel by air if you can avoid it -- unless your dog is very small and meets highly specific airline standards for in-cabin travel, you will be separated during a plane trip, with your dog having to travel in the cargo hold. But if you absolutely MUST travel by air, choose a dog-friendly airline, one that has climate-controlled cargo areas for pets and, if possible, one that has a hub you can route through, with kennel facilities that can handle animal care during long layovers or delays. (Not all airlines have kennel facilities at their hubs, but some do.) But if you can manage to travel by car, do it even if that means that your trip is several hours longer than it otherwise would have been. Sometimes the shortest trip is not the least stressful. In the car, take your time, make frequent stops, and don't try to go to fast -- and take your dog on a few practice car trips before the big day.
- Please don't try to sedate your dog for a trip, UNLESS your vet strongly urges you to do so AND you will be traveling with your dog the whole time in order to monitor reactions to the sedation. Some breeds of dog have trouble breathing when they are under a lot of stress or are very excited -- and for some dogs, sedation carries a risk of suppressing respiration. Airlines will not generally allow sedated dogs to travel in their cargo holds, because of these risks. Some pet owners swear by flower essences -- these may provide you with a safer alternative to sedation. Check with your vet to make sure, while you are at that pre-move vet visit.
- Take care of yourself. I can't say this too many times -- your dog will pick up on your stress levels, so do whatever you need to do to keep those stress levels as low as possible. Moving can be a difficult experience even without pets, and you may have other things on your mind. So take care of yourself, eat well, exercise, drink lots of water, and take breaks to do whatever activity will help to keep you on an even keel. And remember: most animals adjust to moves without any difficulty. Statistically speaking, the chances of a pet-related snafu occurring during your move are less than one percent. In other words, chances are that everything will be just fine.
In his role in the self storage industry, Tim Eyre helps customers care for their cherished belongings that must be put in storage. Tim regularly visits his facilities including a Orlando self storage center. He was also recently meeting customers and staff at the Las Vegas self storage center.
Dog Friendly Sonoma Coast Beaches
The Fido Factor team and our doggie pals just got back from a fun filled New Year's weekend on the Sonoma Coast / Russian River. We rented a great dog friendly house on the Russian River in Duncan Mills and decided to spend New Year's Day exploring the nearby beaches. We started at Blind Beach and headed down Highway 1 stopping at most of the dog friendly beaches. All of the beaches are officially on leash areas but depending on the beach the rules seemed to be loosely enforced.
Dogs playing at Blind Beach
Trax and his ball on Blind Beach
After Blind Beach we headed to dog friendly Wrights Beach.
Captain Enjoying Wrights Beach
Finally, we stopped at Carmet Beach before heading to Bodega Bay.
Captain at Carmet Beach
You can see all the dog friendly beaches in Marin and Sonoma on Fido Factor. The beaches we visited are part of the Sonoma Coast State Park although their website doesn't offer detailed directions. We've geotagged all the locations on Fido Factor. The ones mentioned above can all be found on Highway 1 between Bodega Bay and Jenner, CA. You can also see more of our photos from the weekend in the Fido Factor Flickr set.
Fido Factor Names the Top Dog Friendly Airlines for 2010
Make your next vacation dog friendly by flying one of these airlines!
At Fido Factor we’re all about checking out great local spots with your dog, but we also appreciate a great dog friendly vacation! Whether your idea of a dog friendly trip involves, surf, snow, or exploring one of the country’s great cities, our mission is to make your getaway one that your dog can be a part of. Luckily traveling with your dog is easier than ever thanks to more and more hotels opening their doors to our four legged family members; but traveling by plane with your dog can still be difficult. Few industry standards exist for dog friendly air travel, leaving dog accompanied travelers guessing which airline provides their pooch with the best travel accommodations. To help tackle this issue we’ve gone ahead and researched the dog airline policies for six of the largest carriers and crowned one, the most dog friendly airline.
To come up with our rankings we looked at each airline's dog safety policy, dog travel options, dog specific programs, price, and general dog friendliness.
Southwest - 6th Place
In-Cabin: Yes ($75/each way)
Checked Baggage/Cargo: No
For an airline that touts itself as the low cost alternative, it shouldn’t be surprising that Southwest offers one of the lowest cost options for traveling with your dog. If your dog is small enough to fit under the seat, just $75 will buy a one way ticket. Travelers with large dogs will need to look for other alternatives; Southwest does not offer a checked baggage option for dogs traveling with their owners. What we found particular concerning, and the reason Southwest ranks at the bottom of the list despite their bargain pricing, the airline goes out of its way to note first aid and oxygen will not be administered to dogs that become ill during flight.
Delta - 5th Place
In-Cabin: Yes ($125 per container/each way)
Checked Baggage/Cargo: Yes ($200 per container/each way)
Delta offers what we would consider the bare minimum when it comes to dog friendly travel accommodations. Not only are their fees higher than industry average but they’re based on one way travel, charging an additional fee on round trip flights. Dogs who can comfortably fit under the seat are permitted to ride in-cabin, all other dogs must travel as checked baggage.
American Airlines - 4th Place
In-Cabin: Yes ($100 per container/each way)
Checked Baggage/Cargo: Yes ($150 per container/each way)
American Airlines offers the standard dog transportation options we’ve come to see from most major airline carriers. If your dog is small enough they can ride in the cabin with you, otherwise you’ll have to fork over an extra $50 to have them ride as checked baggage – just make sure they’re not over 100lbs. American Airlines does distinguish themselves from other dog friendly carriers with their list of “Animal Relief Areas” - assuring dog owners can easily find a place to take their dog for a quick squat in any airport.
United - 3rd Place
In-Cabin: Yes ($125-175 varies on the time of year)
Checked Baggage/Cargo: Yes ($175-250 varies on the time of year and crate size)
United knows their dogs. We know this because United is one of the few airlines that restrict short-nosed breeds from traveling as checked baggage from May 1st to September 30th do to the likelihood of warm weather. Restricted breeds include Boxer, English Bulldog, and Pug. If your dog happens to be a small short nosed breed you are welcome to carry your dog on year round, assuming they can fit comfortably in a carrier and placed below the seat. Before flying make sure to check United’s website to see if your travel window is limited by the type of dog you have.
JetBlue - 2nd Place
In-Cabin: Yes ($100)
Checked Baggage/Cargo: No
As a relatively young airline, JetBlue continues to use free drinks, free snacks, in-flight television, and outstanding customer service (minus the JFK runway fiasco), to achieve one of the most customer friendly reputations in the business. The airline is now employing the same strategy to attract customers flying with their dog. Their “JetPaws” program provides dog owners with a free pet carrier bag tag, a pet travel etiquette guide, and 300 TrueBlue points for traveling with your dog. JetBlue also provides its dog loving customers with a free pet travel guide – something near and dear to our hearts – that lists pet friendly hotels, restaurants, parks, and veterinarians. So why did JetBlue finish second? Your dog will need to be small enough to fit comfortably under the in-cabin seat, there is no checked luggage option.
Continental - 1st Place
In-Cabin: Yes ($125 each way)
Checked Baggage/Cargo: Yes (Call for rates, 1-800.575.3335)
Continental is unique in that they offer a travel option for large dogs, but do not allow dogs to travel as checked baggage. Instead, if you are planning to head out on a dog friendly vacation and your dog is too large to ride in the cabin, you’ll have to transport them as cargo. The good news, Continental has the most dog friendly cargo option in the business. Their PetSafe program offers confirmed booking prior to departure, a dedicated 24-hour animal support team to monitor weather conditions, the ability to track and trace your dog from origin to destination, and transportation in climate-controlled vehicles between connecting planes. Continental also has a mileage reward program through the PetSafe program. Continental OnePass members earn one (1) OnePass mile for every dollar spent when transporting their dog.
Win a Dog Friendly Weekend with Shilo Inns
Our latest contest is here, time to start entering your reviews and dog friendly locations! This month Fido Factor has partnered with Shilo Inns to give away a two night stay at any one of their 40 dog friendly properties. The Shilo properties are spread across the Western U.S. A few of their many alluring locations include: Palm Springs, Salt Lake City, Mammoth Lakes, Tacoma, and Portland. We're pretty sure your pooch will love any one of these locations so we'll leave it up to you to decide. In addition to their website, you can also connect with Shilo through their Flickr, Twitter, & Facebook accounts.
Contest Details:
To enter, simply click here. The contest will run from Nov. 26th - Dec. 30th, with the winner announced the first week of Jan. Users generate entries by adding dog friendly reviews to existing Fido Factor listings or by adding new dog friendly listings to Fido Factor. Each dog friendly review or new listing counts as an entry. The user with the greatest number of entries will win the Shilo Inns package.
As usual any reviews or locations added in our home city of San Francisco will generate a donation that Fido Factor will pay in your name to support local homeless animals. Reviews that are incomplete or inappropriate, as well as locations that are not dog friendly will be excluded. Fido Factor employees and their family members are not eligible to enter.