5 Pet-Friendly Cities Worth Packing For: The Off Leash Guide to Traveling with Your Best Friend

Some people will tell you traveling with your pet is a hassle. That it’s too much to plan for. That it's easier to just leave them behind. Those people don’t get it.

They’ve never looked in the rearview mirror and seen a pair of ears flopping in the wind. Never watched their dog feel the ocean breeze for the first time. Never tried explaining a hotel minibar to a confused cat.

The truth is, once you travel with your pet — really travel with them — you stop wanting to go anywhere alone again.

Here are five cities that get it. Places where dogs are greeted like regulars and cats can soak in the sunlight from the windowsill of a boutique hotel. These aren’t just pet-friendly cities. They’re pet-welcoming. And they’re well worth the trip.

1. Asheville, North Carolina

For: Mountain Hikes, craft beer, and fresh air

Asheville is a weird little haven in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The kind of place where you can go on a rugged hike in the morning and find yourself at a pet-friendly brewery by sunset. Your dog will love the endless trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. You’ll love the IPA named after someone’s golden retriever.

Stay at: Kimpton Hotel Arras — no pet fees, no breed restrictions, just Southern hospitality and plush pillows.

Eat at: Posana — one of the few spots with a separate dog menu and real food, not just biscuits in a bowl.

Don't miss: The French Broad River Dog Park, where locals let their dogs off-leash and share cold beers on warmer days.

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico

For: Desert sun, art walks, and slow mornings.

Santa Fe moves at its own pace. The high desert air, the adobe buildings, the smell of piñon wood drifting through town — it’s a place that feels ancient and alive at the same time. It’s also surprisingly pet-friendly, with plenty of open-air markets and outdoor dining spots.

Stay at: El Rey Court — a retro motel turned desert oasis with a massive courtyard, live music, and rooms that welcome furry companions like they belong there.

Eat at: The Teahouse on Canyon Road. Quiet patio, chilled vibes, and the best scones you’ll ever eat while your dog lounges under the table.

Don't miss: Sunrise hikes in Atalaya Mountain. Go early, bring water, and let the morning light do its thing.

3. Portland, Oregon

For: Coffee, rain, and people who care about composting.

Portland is a city of dog parks, food trucks, and fleece. People here bring their pets everywhere — to brunch, to bookstores, even to breweries that host dog birthday parties. It’s a little crunchy, a little weird, and totally perfect if you want to wander with your best friend by your side.

Stay at: The Jupiter Hotel — art, music, and a welcome package for your pup. They’ll even hook you up with a dog bed and bowls.

Eat at: Tin Shed Garden Cafe — the brunch spot where dogs eat first. No, really. They’ve got a full menu just for them.

Don't miss: Forest Park — a 5,000-acre escape right in the city with enough trails to keep both you and your dog tired for days.

4. Austin, Texas

For: Live music, tacos, and dogs in bandanas.

Austin is loud, sweaty, a little overconfident, and absolutely lovable. It’s a city made for staying out too late and eating breakfast tacos with your dog the next morning. The people here are dog crazy in the best way, and nearly every patio has a water bowl and a spot in the shade.

Stay at: South Congress Hotel — sleek, modern, and welcoming to dogs like they’re rockstars.

Eat at: Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden — a literal dog park built into a beer garden. There’s no downside here.

Don't miss: Paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake with your dog in a life jacket looking cooler than you.

5. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

For: Cliffside views, coastal drives, and bougie charm.

Carmel is where you go when you want to treat your dog like royalty. It’s an old-school, salty-aired seaside town with one of the most beautiful coastlines in the country. Dogs can run leash-free on the beach, dine with you on white-linen patios, and even get room service.

Stay at: Cypress Inn — co-owned by Doris Day (yes, that Doris Day), this place has been rolling out the red carpet for pets since before it was trendy.

Eat at: Hog’s Breath Inn — once owned by Clint Eastwood, this rustic, woodsy spot has an outdoor patio where dogs are welcome, and the vibe leans classic California with a side of old Hollywood. Big trees, stone fireplaces, and solid comfort food — perfect after a long beach walk.

Don't miss: 17-Mile Drive with the windows down and the ocean roaring beside you. While there's a small fee to enter ($12 per vehicle), the views are well worth it. Pro tip: the gate fee is reimbursed with a purchase of $35 or more at all Pebble Beach Resorts.

Final Thoughts

Traveling with your pet isn’t always convenient. It takes more planning. More gear. Sometimes, more patience.

But it’s also real. It's meaningful. It slows you down in the right ways. You see more. You appreciate more. You remember more.

And when you’re somewhere new, looking at something beautiful, and you glance down and see them next to you — tail wagging, eyes bright, just happy to be there — it all makes sense.

So pack the bag. Load the car. Find a city that says, “Yeah, bring them too.”

They were always meant to come along.