Dogs on the I-5

March 7, 2012 10:32 AM

Traveling from Seattle to Southern California with three dogs... looking for places along the road where we can stop and play!

I am going to be driving with three pretty well-behaved dogs; my own and two puppies I am delivering to their new home in SoCal. I've done this before but never with dogs, so I'm looking for rest stops, parks, hotels, etc along the way (I-5) that are good places for dogs... off-leash parks not too far from the freeway would be ideal, but on-leash areas are OK, especially if they are large and/or pretty (instead of a token bit of dead grass).

I am getting a couple of guide books on travels with pets from AAA etc but if anyone can suggest a particular place that's worth a stop, I'd love to hear it!

posted by anonymous to travel & transportation (11 answers total)

In Eugene, there are a few large dog parks. The largest, and closest to the freeway is my Autzen Stadium, here.

(Looks like this site might be generally useful to you.)
posted by Danf at 10:49 AM on March 7, 2012 [1 favorite]

Ft. Funston in San Francisco along Pacific Coast Highway.
posted by shoesietart at 10:49 AM on March 7, 2012

Check out Mercey Hot Springs. It's halfway between Sacramento and Los Angeles, west of 5. It's a wide open space with lodging, camping and spring to boot.

Also Oak Park near Stockton. Right off the freeway.

Have fun!
posted by goalyeehah at 10:50 AM on March 7, 2012

Kimpton Hotels are pet friendly: "Any number of pets are welcome regardless of size, weight, kind, or breed."
posted by inigo2 at 11:13 AM on March 7, 2012 [2 favorites]

Here are the dog parks in Davis.
posted by aniola at 11:24 AM on March 7, 2012

Toad Hollow in particular is right next to I-80.
posted by aniola at 11:27 AM on March 7, 2012

Have fun on your trip!

When you get to the Bay Area, you can stop at Pt. Isabel Dog Park which is right off the freeway in Richmond. There's acres and acres to roam, it's right by the bay with a terrific view of the SF & the Golden Gate & plenty of friendly dogs. This would be my choice for a good romp after a long car ride. There's a cafe for snacks & coffee and a place called Mudpuppy's where you can get the dogs washed or wash them yourself.

The address for your GPS is 2701 Isabel St, Richmond. Go all the way around the Costco and keep going until you get to the parking lot.

The DogFriendly.Com site has a huge lists of hotels in California that accept dogs (always call to be sure, though).
posted by trixare4kids at 11:39 AM on March 7, 2012 [3 favorites]

Anonymous because the dogs read MeFi and you want to keep it a surprise for them?
posted by stereo at 11:39 AM on March 7, 2012 [5 favorites]

I've used Memorial Park in Wilsonville (1/2 hour S. of Portland) as a great dog rest stop- nice, large, off leash park.

The Autzen dog park danf mentions is great.
posted by jeffch at 11:47 AM on March 7, 2012

If you want to go (way) out of your way, and want a bit of history, then Duboce Park in San Francisco is also a good one.

Back in the day, all the way back to Harvey Milk and possibly beyond, this was known as "Dog Shit Park." They have decriminalized the presence of dogs recently.
posted by Danf at 12:55 PM on March 7, 2012

Another possibility that may be too far out of the way is Upper Bidwell Park (3000 acres, give or take) in Chico. The whole park is dog-friendly, and about 90% of it is off-leash.
posted by bricoleur at 6:01 PM on March 7, 2012