Yosemite area: reasonable hotels that accept pets
 

Hi, I have cancelled my trip overseas so my husband and I and our dog are planning a trip to California by car instead. Would love to stay either in the park of Yosemite or in a nearby mountain town, to take walks with the dog and reflect on life. Any good ideas? Thank you.

Anita, don't have a specific recommendation for you but here's a couple of websites that list 'pet friendly' accommodations. <BR> <BR> <BR>www.petswelcome.com <BR> <BR>www.dogfriendly.com

And a few more: <BR> <BR>dmoz.org/Recreation/Pets/Travel/ <BR> <BR>www.fidofriendly.com <BR> <BR>www.allforanimals.com <BR> <BR>www.petsonthego.com <BR> <BR> <BR>I applaud your decision to help our own economy by spending vacation time and money in America!

Here's a website about Yosemite...not the official one by the NPS (National Park Service) and it is helpful in that it lists available lodging by which area you are entering from. <BR> <BR>http://www.yosemite.ca.us/ <BR> <BR>Leash laws/rules are VERY strict within the park boundaries and most California communities with stringent rules about picking up solid waste matter and disposing of it in a trash can -- bring plastic bags. <BR>Enjoy and have fun!

Thanks BJ, I will start researching these sites right now. Yosemite should be beautiful that time of year. Is Mammoth Lakes a good alternative?

Referring to your message of today, 10/12, you say something about "that time of year" but I don't (and didn't) see anything about what time of year you plan to visit. <BR> <BR>When are you planning your trip from you home base to Yosemite? ? ? <BR> <BR>If you want to visit other areas of California, there is a very good online website for tourists at: <BR> <BR>www.gocalif.ca.gov <BR> <BR>If you have enough leadtime, be sure to take advantage of having the packet of info sent to your home. <BR>

Anita, be aware that you should not allow your dog to drink from the streams in Yosemite. There is a parasite called Gliardia (sp?) that can be found in mountain streams. Ask your vet about this and be sure dog has all necessary shots as well. Yes, leash laws are strict, but if your dog is like ours, he would be after a squirrel or other small animal in an instant and that could be dangerous. I don't think you're going to find any dog friendly hotels in the park at Yosemite, but check out Fish Camp, Mariposa, El Portal, Lee Vining for towns nearby. For the most dog friendly town in all of California, check out Carmel! A totally different vacation, though.

I know nothing about Fish Camp but since Kam suggested it as a possibility, I found a website that has at least one cabin there (Brown's) which accepts pets. <BR>Here's the website: <BR> <BR>http://mariposa.yosemite.net/visitor/cabnsetc.html <BR> <BR>Scroll down about midway and click on the link to the cabin website itself. <BR> <BR>There's other lodging in the general area which says they accept pets; however, they don't have websites so you can get more info without contacting them individually. <BR> <BR>P.S. As for your reference to Mammoth Lakes, I would not consider that as being 'commuting' distance from Yosemite Park. <BR>As for pet friendly lodging IN the Park itself, there's only the one and you probably have already read about/seen that one. <BR>P.P.S. Kam is warning you about the parasite Giardia which is found in some streams; it's true, don't drink the water yourself nor allow your dog to do so. <BR>

A note about the small town of Lee Vining that Kam mentioned. <BR>Note that it is considered "alpine" which is actually above the timberline; some find it beautiful, others find it too barren for their taste. No one would deny its majestic appeal. But, if you envision yourself strolling among tall pines/redwoods with pine needles crunching beneath your feet, you want to be below "alpine." <BR>Here's a website that shows/explains it far better than I can. <BR> <BR>http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/inyo/vvc/mono/

Thank you both for all the information. I will keep busy. I am sorry I thought I had written we would be there the week after Thanksgiving. I hope we still have time to make good reservations. Thanks for the stream information too, I had no idea. Also I had to grin at the idea of no pine needles crunching above the timber line. <BR>I didn't think of that either. <BR>See, that is why I need to get to the mountains and get my head straight.

Oh, last week of November....then, you need to be prepared for snow at the higher elevations, say, above 4000 to 5,000 feet. <BR>Snow skiiers here look forward, hopefully, to enough snow by Thanksgiving to do some skiing. It doesn't happen every year but it is something to consider. I found this website for you and provide it here (even tho' it's from 1998) because of its good map for small towns around Yosemite and because it provides good written info on the general area. <BR>And, now that I know your visit date, I definitely cannot recommend Lee Vining because Highway 120 closes for the winter and you might not be able to drive the 2 hours from it to Yosemite if there's enough snow to close the road. <BR> <BR>http://jrabold.net/yosemite/yos_tra.htm

Thanks BJ, I guess it does make a big difference with the question of snow. <BR>It is a great site.

The website references are great. I would also recommend a book entitled "The California Dog Lover's Companion." It lists places to stay that allow dogs, as well as places to eat that are easy to manage with a dog. However, it may be more info (all of CA) than you need for your trip. <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

Check out the REDWOODS GUEST Cottages near Wawona. They are privately owned cottages of all sizes and priced reasonably. Phone is 209-375-6666. We stayed there in 1996 and enjoyed the area and the ambiance. You can drive into the park easily.

Anita, don't think I really addressed your question about Mammoth/Mammoth Lakes other than to say it's not 'commuting' distance from Yosemite. <BR>Here's a website on Mammoth, but, again, you'll need to take into consideration snow during last week of November. <BR>There's is a 'pets welcome' lodging, Swartz House (maybe misspelled that) for your consideration. From the homepage below, click on Lodging, then Motels, and you'll see it listed at the bottom of that page, lower right-hand corner. <BR> <BR>http://www.mammothweb.com/ <BR> <BR>May I ask.....are you really wanting to see Yosemite or just looking for a quiet time in an area that has pine trees and such? There are numerous small towns in what is commonly referred to as The Mother Lode (back in the silver/gold mining era) strung along, for instance, Highways 49, that may suit your needs if you are not locked into Yosemite. <BR>

The La Quinta hotel chain accepts pets (well, MOST of their locations do) and they are supposed to be 20 pounds or less. If your dog is close to that, give it a try. My driver's license says I weigh 125 pounds and that's a bit of a stretch, too! <BR>We have had pretty good luck with them as a moderately priced place to stay. Most of the rooms come with a recliner -even with a king bed. I believe their target market is the travelling salesman. <BR>We use our AAA auto club guidebooks as we drive around. In addition to asking for the 'senior rate' or the AAA discounted rate, I have found it invaluable to always, always, ask: <BR>"Is there a special rate or a promotional rate I am eligible for but don't know about?" <BR>It nevers hurts to ask and I have received a lower rate than published. For example, at LaQuinta, I have had the published discounted AA rate in the $74.50 lowered to $59 just by asking. <BR>You have to click on 'reservations' to get a list of their hotels by state at their website. <BR> <BR>http://www.laquinta.com/inns/ <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Back again! with yet another for you to consider...it's called Shadow Ridge Cabin Rentals in the small town of Twain Harte on Highway 108 - near Yosemite, elevation 3,800 feet. They say 'inquire about our pet policy.' <BR>Here's the website; click on Area Accommodations and you should be able to find it. <BR> <BR>http://www.yosemitegold.com/yosemite/index.html

Thanks so much for all the info. All of a sudden this office of mine got really busy, so I haven't looked into all of the info yet. But hopefully I can tonight at home. I am not locked into Yosemite so the other places sound great too. I have heard that Hwy 49 has really steep grades with no railing. <BR>I might not be able to drive it without giving myself the tension I am trying to avoid. Or is my informant stretching it?