5 CIUDADES PARA VIAJAR CON PERROS

Viajar con mascotas ya no es sinónimo de acampada. Esta pequeña guía te propone hoteles, parques, spas e incluso salas de conciertos en los que tu perro será bien recibido mientras viajas por algunas de las principales capitales de Estados Unidos.



5 great cities for traveling with dogs

Leon Logothetis, Special to The Chronicle

Sunday, May 17, 2009
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Leon Logothetis and Winston like hiking in Hollywood's Ru...Winston can frolic off leash in the water and on the sand... View Larger Images

Editor's note: TV travel host Leon Logothetis crosses countries and continents on just $5 a day in his Fox Reality/National Geographic show, "Amazing Adventures of a Nobody." During his on-camera travels, Logothetis travels without his beloved companion, a Boston terrier named Winston. But when the cameras stop rolling, Logothetis continues hopping from place to place and takes Winston with him - across the United States and beyond. Here, Logothetis shares with Chronicle readers his favorite domestic doggie destinations.

1. Los Angeles

One reason I moved to L.A. from Dallas was the abundance of facilities for my little Winston. If he is not hiking in Runyon Canyon or the many other canyons across the city, he is frolicking on the beach. Numerous beaches in and around Los Angeles allow off-leash dogs. Winston goes barmy when I take him to the beach, running around like a headless chicken meeting new friends and chasing new types of birds. After the beach, there is always the chance for a bit of pampering - whether that's shopping and sampling dog couture on Rodeo, grabbing a drink with your dog in Venice or checking into one of L.A.'s high-end pet spas.

Where to stay:

-- Sheraton Universal Hotel. No dog fees for dogs up to 80 pounds, and welcome kits, custom beds, food bowls and special treats make this a fave when hitting Universal Studios. 333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City. (818) 980-1212, www.sheratonuniversal.com.

-- Hotel Palomar. With a very attractive dog called Jackson Oscar in charge of this hotel's pet relations, it's no wonder they get it right. No restrictions on size or type, pet sitting and walking available through the concierge, and a grassy walking area just 50 feet from the hotel entrance. 10740 Wilshire Blvd. (866) 919-8539. www.hotelpalomar-lawest wood.com.

Where to play:

-- Huntington Beach Dog Beach. Located on the Pacific Coast Highway between 21st Street and Seapoint Street, open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Dogs may be off leash in the water and on the wet sand, a marvelous spot to frolic. 7071 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach. www.dogbeach.org.

-- Haute Dogs on the Beach Days. Special events on the beach in Long Beach, where dogs are allowed off leash in the surf and sand. Visit Web site for dates and to support such events. www.hautedogs .org.

-- Runyon Canyon, Hollywood. Legal off-leash dog recreation area, beautiful canyon trails for hiking. Lots of dogs and people at all times - good for celeb spotting. Water fountains for dogs only at the bottom. 1865 N. Fuller Ave.

Where to drink:

-- The Otheroom. A welcoming stylish bar with a wonderful beer and wine selection that welcomes dog and beer lovers fresh from the beach. 1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. www.theotheroom.com.

Where to hear music:

-- Kulak's Woodshed - A Labor of Love. A unique destination to listen to some great artists accompanied by your pet, and they throw monthly pet charity benefits. 5230 1/2 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. www.myspace.com/kulakswoodshed.

Where to pamper the pup:

-- Beverly Hills Pet Hotel and Day Spa. A play-by-day, full fur salon, tutors for household manners, gourmet meals, doggie-rated movies and twilight nature walks. This is the real deal in luxury and education. 632 N. Almont Drive, West Hollywood. (310) 274-0829. www.bhpethotel.com.

-- Bark N Bitches pet boutique. Los Angeles' newest, most fashionable dog boutique; plush beds, elegant collars, health products, everything you need to have the most stylish pooch in town. 505 N. Fairfax Ave. www.barknbitches.com.
2. New York

Winston has never traveled to New York. (He is constantly asking me to take him to Times Square - he has heard on the doggie grapevine that the pigeons there are extremely friendly.) However with my younger brother's lovely golden retriever Pinto, I have seen the delights of New York's dog life. New Yorkers get a reputation for not being very friendly sometimes, but New York is the quintessential dog-friendly city. You can hole up with your dog in the same hotel as Westminster Dog Show winners, spot celebrities at dog parks on the Upper West Side and enjoy al fresco pet-friendly dining in this haven for animal lovers.

Where to stay:

-- W New York - Union Square. Welcome bags provided, along with dog walking and sitting services, as well as spa treatments. The hotel borders Union Square Park, a wonderful place where dogs are allowed to roam free. $25 fee per day plus $100 cleaning fee per stay. 201 Park Ave. S. (212) 253-9119.

-- Soho Grand Hotel. Two floors specifically designed for pets! Assorted toys, brushes, leashes, pillows - even doggie vitamins and kennel rentals are available. You can also ask them to order a pet- friendly taxi for you. This is staying in the Big Apple in some style! No fee. 310 W. Broadway. (212) 965-3000, www.sohogrand.com.

-- Hotel Pennsylvania. Not only does it welcome creatures of all sizes, the Hotel Pennsylvania is where breeders and competitors in the Westminster Dog Show frequently stay, so your pet may be rubbing shoulders with the year's Best in Show. Two pets for $25/night, no restrictions on size. 401 Seventh Ave. (212) 736-5000, www.hotelpenn.com.

Where to play:

-- Teddy's Dog Run. Open until 10 p.m. nightly, this is a huge dog run in the heart of the Upper West Side. Theodore Roosevelt Park, 81st and Columbus.

-- George's Dog Run. Well lit and offering cleanup bags, handicapped access and fences, this is a really pleasant place for your dog. Frequented by some of NYC's finest, it's a great place to spot celebs. Washington Square Park, cross streets Thompson and Washington Square South.

Where to eat:

-- Barking Dog Luncheonette. Restaurant where dogs are allowed inside or out. Great stuff. 1453 York Ave. (212) 861-3600.

-- The Boat Basin Cafe. This is a dog-friendly restaurant that overlooks the Hudson River. It is open only in spring and summer, but the best part is that you and your canine can enjoy eating at this outdoor restaurant and then walk along the Hudson. W. 79th St. at Henry Hudson Pkwy. (212) 496-5542.
3. Vermont

Winston came home from the dog park last week and said he was going to move to Vermont. I tried to explain to him that we live in Los Angeles and that we were not moving. Once he had finished sulking in the clothes hamper, he told me why he wanted to go to Vermont. Aside from the vast open spaces and dashing among autumnal trees, he'd heard, Vermont also offers some serious pooch pampering at a couple of great doggie hotels in Vermont (www.paw houseinn.com).

Where to stay:

-- Paw House Inns. These are serious doggie destinations, with a mantra they pride themselves on living up to: "Some places accept dogs. Some places tolerate dogs. At the Paw House Inn, we cater to dogs and their owners." They offer professional grooming services, extensive dog training classes, an adventure-filled Paw House play area and even a high-end restaurant with dog-themed menu including items such as New Yorkie strip steak and Pina Chihuahua.

Killington/Okemo: Nightly rates from $135 include country breakfast for humans. 1376 Clarendon Ave. West Rutland. (866) 729-4687.

Inn, Spa & Resort at Mount Snow: Nightly rates from $155 include gourmet breakfast for humans. 145 Route 100, West Dover. (802) 464-8303.

Where to eat:

Chefs cook up year-round special treats and snacks for your animals that have included "paw lickin' chicken" and "pea-mutt butta snacks," so there's no chance they'll be going hungry.

Where to play:

The Killington Paw House Inn is within the majestic expanse of the Vermont State Forest, offering some of the most beautiful hiking trails for dogs and owners in North America, all within a few minutes of the hotel. A "dog-in theatre" allows you and your dog to watch the latest blockbusters together.

Where to pamper the pup:

Specially designed dog beds in each room will ensure your dog gets to sleep in style, and a full spa service is offered by the hotels.
4. Dallas

Winston lived in Dallas for two years and sometimes would insist that I take him to a hotel for the night. He had spent the night in another hotel in Dallas and was not impressed, so after some research on the Internet he wanted to try the W. With dog-walking services, a special W custom pet bed and on-hand pet treats, it was a night he won't forget in a hurry. After that, we sampled some of Dallas' other dog offerings, including swimming and walking in the White Rock Dog Park, and brushed up on Winston's agility at the excellent Dallas Dog Sports training center.

Where to stay:

-- W Dallas Victory Hotel. 2440 Victory Park Lane. (214) 397-4100

Where to play:

-- White Rock Lake Dog Park. The city's finest dog park is on the north end of White Rock Lake at Mockingbird Point. There are three sections: one for dogs under 30 pounds, one for dogs over 30 pounds, and a swim section where dogs can swim in the lake. 8000 E. Mockingbird Lane.

-- Dallas Dog Sports. Located on almost 7 acres, complete with a pond in the back, this training facility has three outdoor, grassy fields that are lighted for evening training classes. The entire training area is fenced, and there is plenty of parking. 2760 Pecan Drive. (972) 442-9226, www.dallasdogsports.com.
5. Seattle

Seattle is a beautiful city that Leon and I have visited a couple of times on our travels. Wandering around the bustling Pike Place Market, taking a ferry across Puget Sound and running around on some of the beautiful coastline and parks of the city make for a perfect pet weekend. What's also great is that the city lets you take your pets on all buses and trains. Seattle is renowned for its wet weather, so we always stay at the hip Hotel Monaco; Winston insists on keeping out of the rain in style, in one of the hotel's monogrammed dog coats.

Where to stay:

-- Hotel Monaco. Dog-sitting services with a personalized doggie itinerary, stylish Seattle-themed dog coats (buy one and you've just made a $10 donation to the King County Humane Society) and VIP service for all creatures great and small at this downtown Seattle hotel. 101 Fourth Ave. (800) 715-6513, www.monaco-seattle.com

Where to play:

-- Magnuson Dog Park. This park is amazing - 9 acres of open fun land! A special area for little pups, too. Best of all, the only dog park in Washington with beach access. 7400 Sand Point Way NE.

Where to eat:

-- Madison Park Cafe. A wonderful little cafe in an attractive garden setting, and very doggie friendly. 1807 42nd Ave. E. (206) 324-2626.

-- Norm's Eatery and Ale House. This is a laid-back pub that was named after a dog, so your pet will feel right at home. 460 N. 36th St. (206) 547-1417.
Packing the pooch

Here are three Web sites that might be helpful to pet owners who like to take Fido along on their vacations:

-- www.dogparkusa.com

-- www.dogfriendly.com

-- www.petfriendlytravel.com

E-mail comments about this story to travel@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page E - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle