Sea Islands, South Carolina

Known for true southern hospitality and lovely beaches, the Sea Islands of South Carolina are beautiful barrier islands located off the Eastern Coast of the U.S. The Sea Islands are part of a low-lying chain of more than 100 islands stretching along the South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida coastlines. Stay on any of these historical islands—originally settled by Indigenous people and later selected by Spanish colonists to build Christian missions—and you’ll immediately fall in love with the old-world architecture and luxurious modern amenities.

Beach Time

Hit the sand with your furbaby at these dog-friendly beaches, including Kiawah Beachwalker Park where dogs are welcomed as long as they are on a leash, Folly Beach and Hilton Head Island where leashed dogs are welcome from late afternoon to early morning (roughly 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.) between Memorial Day and Labor Day, or Surfside Beach where dogs are not allowed from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but have no restrictions otherwise—run, walk, or jog along Surfside with your dog at your side. Enjoy the most freedom with your dog during the off-seasons!

Pro-Tip: Scoop the poop! Dog feces can be a big problem for fish and local wildlife, so be a good neighbor and pick up after your animal to avoid any water or soil contamination.

Teach Your Dog to Swim

Not all dogs are natural swimmers nor are they all water-loving breeds like retrievers and spaniels, so remember to ease into playing in the ocean. Consider buying a fun or brightly colored life jacket with a handle to keep your pup safe from choppy water. (Have you seen those adorable life vests that have shark fins? Google it, you won’t regret it!) The buoyancy will give your pet the confidence they need to jump right in. Here are some basic steps to follow to get your dog ready for the ocean:

Mammoth Lakes

Surrounded by a sweeping mountainscape and crystal-clear lakes, Mammoth Lakes promises endless variety and adventures for all. Named for the famous mining era in California history and the Mammoth Mining Company—we believe Mammoth can refer to many things, including the vast natural forest lands, more than 100 lakes throughout the area, or maybe just the giant mountains themselves. This alpine playground will treat you and your dog to an outdoor excursion you won’t soon forget.

Ride the Gondola

During the summer months, well-behaved leashed dogs and their owners can enjoy a scenic gondola ride together while soaring up to 11,053 feet on Mammoth Mountain. At the top, enjoy the astonishing panoramic views, grab a snack from the Eleven53 Café, and take pictures of your dog peeing on the summit sign. (Sorry, Mammoth Mountain, but you know it’s true.) Though you shouldn’t ever leave your dog unattended, if you have a friend with you that doesn’t have four legs, maybe you could take turns venturing into the Eleven53 Interpretive Center to learn about the volcanic rocks of the legendary summit.

Take a Hike

Many people choose to ride uphill on the gondola and hike down on foot, so once you and your pet have taken in the endless views, pick one of the many hiking trails to take back down. This will provide you and your puppers with some greatly appreciated exercise and wonderful up-close and personal views of the terrain and scenery. Here are a few:

• Mammoth Mountain Trail: Hike this strenuous 5-mile trail down from the summit for San Joaquin river valley views below. This is a one-way hike taking approximately 3 hours depending on fitness level.
• St. Anton Trial: This mid-mountain trail starts at McCoy Station and snakes down to the Adventure Center through thick pine forest and high-alpine terrain. This way one-way moderate trail is a 3-mile hike, lasting approximately two hours depending on your fitness level.
• Discovery Nature Trail: This 1-mile loop trail starts at the base of the mountain and is considered to have moderate intensity depending on your fitness level. This round-trip hike should only last about one hour and starts next to Mammoth Ski & Snowboard Team headquarters.
  
  Remember to always take a sufficient amount of water and food for you and your pet. Safety should always be your top priority when venturing around the outdoors. Don’t forget your hiking trail map in case you take a wrong turn.

Palm Springs

Rich in culture and history, this desert paradise has been home to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for centuries and later became known as a “Hollywood Hideaway” for stars in the 1930s. Renowned for its hospitable weather, visitors and their pets can choose from a variety of activities like exploring the phenomenal natural wonders of the surrounding deserts, mountains, and canyons or walking around town to admire the art galleries and boutiques then stop at a local pet-friendly restaurant to eat. If you’re looking for the perfect balance of natural beauty and worldliness, look no further—Palm Springs is the destination for you and your dog.

But First, Coffee

Make sure to get your daily dose of caffeine before running around town with your pup. At 4 Paws Coffee, dogs are welcome to join their owners at a pet-friendly outdoor table to soak up the sunrise while enjoying tasty treats and organic, Fair Trade Certified, dark roast espresso. Know you're doing a service for the community because purchases from 4 Paws Coffee contribute to the local animal shelters. Paws-itively wonderful!

Stroll Through the Botanical Gardens

This dog-friendly, historic botanical garden has been family-owned and run since 1938 by the Moortens—hence the official name, Moorten Botanical Gardens. You and your leashed companion are welcome to walk around this stunning garden to see rare cacti, glistening crystals, colorful desert rocks, ancient fossils, and even pioneer and gold mining relics. As you enter the garden, don’t forget to stop by the family home, fondly known as Cactus Castle. This personalized garden contains over 1,000 cacti species sourced from all over the world.

Stop to Grab a Bite

A trip to Palm Springs with your dog would not be complete if you didn’t stop to grab a bite at Boozehounds, “where dogs bring their humans.” Their 7,000 square foot venue features a dog-friendly open-air atrium and patio to provide a comfortable environment for both humans and canines. Here, your dog can choose their own meal from the menu designed specifically with your dog’s health and safety in mind. To be clear, there are California State Laws that must be obeyed, but they are clearly marked for your convenience.

As pet ownership continues to grow, 2022 will predictably be the best year for pet travel! Natural Retreats has a vast collection of pet-friendly vacation rentals that are perfect for travelers that can’t leave home without their furry family members. From the charming beaches of the east coast to the spectacular alpine lakes of the west coast, we have a variety of pet-friendly travel destinations that will accommodate your needs and interests.

And don’t worry—we haven’t forgotten about your four-legged friends! Each of our properties offers plenty of activities and amenities that will keep both you and your pet entertained during your stay. Ready to book? Visit our website today and start planning your next un-fur-gettable getaway.

P.S. We love dogs…like, really love them—so please tag us at @NaturalRetreats and use the hashtag #TravelOn when posting adorable photos of you and your pup on social media!