The Dog Lover's Companion to the San Francisco Bay Area: The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog

We were new to the Bay Area when we purchased this book and it has become our go-to weekend guide! We simply decide where we want to go and then read through the descriptions to see what suits our mood. On really hot days, we'll look for a place that is nestled in a eucalyptus grove or on the beach. We can also pick out where we want to eat before or after our adventure. I haven't been blown away by the restaurant recommendations, but the park descriptions have been great. We have two smaller dogs and the author is reviewing from a big dog owner's perspective. Again, we just look at the initial summation (how highly rated it is, if it's off-leash or not) and then we look through to see what our dogs will appreciate most. They aren't too interested in getting wet or muddy, but they do love exploring new landscapes with few people around. All in all, this book is absolutely wonderful and we've gotten a lot of use out of it. I only wish they had one for every area!

When I first moved to California from the midwest with my dog we were lost as to what to do with him. We used to have property and didn't have to worry about dog parks and could leave him at our parents house when we went on vacation. Well, time came for a family getaway here and we were beside ourselves thinking about kennels. Just in time someone gave me a copy of the Dog Lovers Companion to California and also an older version of the Dog Lovers Companion to the Bay Area. I could not believe our luck! These books are chuck full of hotels, inns, parks, beaches, lots and lots of places, that we realized there's no reason to leave Frank behind! Since that fun vacation we have used the books to find loads of dog friendly places. It even has restaurant that allow dogs outside with you. We've stayed at beautiful inns and even taken horse and carriage rides with Frank thanks to the books. Parks are ranked on a four paw scale and have an easy to see leash free symbol. The writing of both books is so fun that I would read it just for kicks sometimes. The author is funny and slightly irreverent but only in the best way, a way that helps readers really understand a place for better or worse. The information is extremely accurate. I've read that this is a doggy bible, and it's funny because one day I was sitting at a cafe with Frank reading the book and laughing about an amusing story about the author's dog, and two different people saw the book and raved about it being their bible. I hope the author sees this because she really did make life in California great for our dog and us! Any Californian who cares about their dog should have this book.

I can't say enough about this book. It's a hoot to read, I laugh out loud sometimes. More than this is the excellent infomation provided. I was scared to take my dog to a restaurant but I ended up taking her with me on a lunch date to a cute Union Street San Francisco cafe because of the book. My dog loves it because she gets to go more places now. Five paws for the Dog Lovers COmapnion!

I bought this book before I even got my dog Sparkler. I wanted a dog really badly and a friend loaned me her copy of this book. I laughed all the way through at the wonderful humor and the author's dog's antics. His name is Joe and he is a very well traveled airdale terrier that has gotten into his share of mischief! I didn't realize how many places you could take your dog in the bay area until I read this. Because of the book I decided to get myself a dog for sure. What fun to explore the area with a furry friend! If it weren't for the author's wonderful sense of humor and wit, I probably would have still bought the book, but I wouldn't have enjoyed the read nearly so much. Four paws to this book. Its a definite must for anyone witha dog in the bay area.

This is an excellent book for those dog lovers out there. I am new to the Bay area, and I had no idea where to take my two dogs. The author is right on target with his doggy rating system. Great reference book. I highly recommend.