Reporting from Paso Robles—
In the age-old war between
cats and
dogs, the Fidos of America have scored another victory.
Their triumph revolves around the nation's bed-and-breakfast owners. Long a bastion of anti-pet sentiment, the B&B industry has grown so fond of dogs that it's luring them with special toys, treats and cushy beds.
Cats, meanwhile, are rarely invited anywhere.
This makes my pal Darby, a handsome Wheaten terrier, giddy. He loves to travel and hates felines, so he's only too happy to hit the road and check out places to stay, especially places that don't allow cats.
In the past three years, our jaunts together have chronicled a growing dog-acceptance trend. It began with budget lodgings such as Motel 6, which has always had a soft spot in its corporate heart for man's best friend. (I haven't told Darby, but the chain also accepts cats.)
As the recession took hold, high-end hotels rolled out the grass carpet, making it clear that affluent clientele could bring Rover along; they'd even supply Evian water and down-filled dog beds.
"The economy threatened to put a lot of innkeepers out of business," said Jenn Wheaton, program coordinator for the California Assn. of Bed & Breakfast Inns (www.cabbi.com). "They found a new niche by opening their doors to travelers with pets."
And now, at last, B&Bs are beginning to put on the dog. (You'll notice that the phrase isn't "put on the cat.")
Her members "like to make people happy, and some people aren't happy if they have to leave their dogs at home," she said. Ninety of the group's 200-plus members allow pets — a few even give the nod to cats — but always check ahead to make sure.
Nationwide, the number of pet-friendly B&Bs is growing.
Mary White, founder and chief executive of BnBFinder.com, a popular online bed-and-breakfast directory, said about one-third of her 3,500 members now accept dogs in one or more of their rooms. "Some offer special treats and spa packages."
It sounded tempting to Darby and me; we packed kibble, toys and a leash and went in search of bowser-friendly B&Bs.
Julian
Our first stop was at the mountaintop Tucker Peak Lodge in Julian, a historic gold-mining town in the backcountry of San Diego County. Every room at the lodge, named after the owner's spaniel Tucker, was filled that night with a doggie guest and master. Darby quickly struck up a friendship with Chibi, a 2-year-old Shih Tzu visiting from Ocean Beach.
When we went to town for lunch, the hostess at the Julian Grille (2224 Main St.) began the conversation with, "Your dog is welcome here." I ate on a shady patio while Darby slept under the table.
The town was filled with bikers — they enjoy the winding mountain roads leading to town — and we rubbed shoulders with them in boutiques and shops, most of which allowed dogs.
Back at the B&B, we sat on an expansive deck that offered a panorama of mountain ridges and valleys that turned purple as the sunset faded into an inky black sky. Owls hooted, frogs ribbeted and crickets did whatever it is that crickets do when the sun goes down.
Dana Point
Working our way north along the coast, we found cooler temperatures, a stylishly furnished B&B and a spectacular ocean view at the Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point.
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