| Suzy my pet Shih Tzu and I continued our U.S tour of | | | | ferry services to visit: |
| the countries best dog friendly cities with an exciting | | | | Angel Island |
| trip to San Francisco. A throbbing nightlife, panoramic | | | | Oakland/Alameda |
| views of the sun, sand and sea, warm people and | | | | Sausalito |
| great food pretty much sums up San Francisco. | | | | Tiburon |
| Famous for its bays and the picturesque view of the | | | | Vallejo |
| Golden Gate enveloped in white fog, San Francisco is | | | | Dog Parks/Beach |
| a traveler's destination to the core. | | | | I had a rollicking time with Suzy in San Francisco as |
| The best time to enjoy the spoils of San Francisco is | | | | there were many parks for her to play in. I watched |
| from September to November, when the weather is | | | | her chase a butterfly at some of the San Francisco |
| pleasant. The city offers some of the best in | | | | off leash parks and even caught her panting for |
| International cuisine, is a paradise for shoppers and | | | | breath behind the smallest shrub. Some of the San |
| much to see. Some of activities you can get involved | | | | Francisco beaches also allow dogs like the Baker |
| in include sailing, surfing, walking, cycling etc. You will | | | | Beach at Lincoln Blvd and Bowley St/Golden Gate |
| often find people surfing over some of the biggest | | | | Nat'l Rec Area. Dogs are allowed on this beach off |
| waves with their pets or dogs. | | | | leash but under voice control. It is situated 1.5 miles |
| Stay | | | | south from the Golden Gate and you can almost walk |
| If you are looking for accommodation in San Francisco | | | | down there from the Golden Gate Bridge. Suzy and I |
| the best location is close to the ocean or at a place | | | | had a long sunbathing session and then we took a |
| that can provide you with a view of the rising mist | | | | walk closer to the water. Another nice beach is the |
| over the Golden Gate. We found one and it was the | | | | Burton beach near Skyline Blvd./Hwy 35. It is a popular |
| Best Western Tuscan Inn Fisherman Wharf situated at | | | | dog friendly beach and park. |
| 425 Northpoint Street. They didn't charge me any | | | | Some of the other off leash parks in San Francisco |
| additional fee for getting Suzy and I used to leave her | | | | include: |
| at the hotel's kennel when venturing into the swimming | | | | Alamo Square Off Leash Dog Park -Scott Street, |
| pool. What's more, my room had a mini-bar, coffee | | | | between Hayes and Fulton Streets, Alta Plaza Off |
| maker, refrigerator, hairdryer and a free high-speed | | | | Leash Dog Park -Steiner and Clay Street |
| wireless Internet connection. | | | | Bernal Heights Off Leash Dog Park -Bernal Heights |
| This hotel is located right at the heart of the | | | | and Esmerelda |
| Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, and it has an | | | | Brotherhood Mini Off Leash Dog Park -Brotherhood |
| unbeatable location. I get to see the Golden Gate first | | | | Way |
| thing when I wake up. It is very close to the North | | | | Buena Vista Off Lead Dog Park -Buena Vista West |
| beach, and the famous Pier 39. | | | | at Central Avenue |
| Note: If you are planning to make a reservation in | | | | Corona Heights -16th and Roosevelt S |
| advance then type "I am bringing my dog." You need | | | | Crocker Amazon Off Leash Dog Park -At Geneva |
| to mention this clearly in the additional comments and | | | | Avenue and Moscow Street |
| requests box in the online reservation form. | | | | Delores Off Lead Dog Park -19th Street and Delores |
| Check-In: 3PM | | | | Street |
| Check-Out: 12PM | | | | Douglass Park, Upper Field Off Leash Dog Area -27th |
| You can check out some other dog friendly hotels in | | | | and Douglass Streets |
| San Francisco like: | | | | Grooming |
| Campton Place Hotel -340 Stockton Street | | | | After all the sun and sand on the beach, the first thing |
| Crowne Plaza - Union Square -480 Sutter Street | | | | Suzy needed was a nice haircut and bath. You can |
| Days Inn - Lombard St -2358 Lombard Street | | | | choose from mobile grooming salons and grooming |
| Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco -757 Market St. | | | | centers. I chose the classic pet grooming mobile |
| Harbor Court Hotel -165 Steuart Street | | | | services. They really know how to pamper a dog and |
| Holiday Inn -50 Eighth St | | | | Suzy was made to feel extra special. |
| Hotel Cosmo -761 Post Street | | | | Their basic services include: |
| Hotel Diva -440 Geary Street | | | | Shampoo |
| Hotel Metropolis -25 Mason Street | | | | Grooming |
| Play | | | | Hand dry and brush out coat |
| The Golden Gate Bridge | | | | Cleaning Pads |
| Somehow Suzy was reminded of the Brooklyn Bridge | | | | Cutting Nails |
| and hence she caught a fancy towards the Golden | | | | Ears and eye cleaning |
| Gate although I favor the Golden gate over the | | | | Express anal glands |
| Brooklyn Bridge. Dogs are permitted on the Golden | | | | Their specialty services include: |
| Gate but only if they are on leash. | | | | Flea and tick shampoo |
| I walked across the length of the Golden Gate Bridge | | | | Brushing teeth |
| and it was an extraordinary experience. The view | | | | Medicated oatmeal and herbal shampoos |
| from the Golden gate of the bay and San Francisco | | | | De-skunking |
| city is spectacular. It was an evening walk just around | | | | Rejuvenator or hot oil treatments |
| the time when the sun set and left the sky in a myriad | | | | You can also try out the following grooming centers in |
| of orange and red colors. It felt more like Suzy walking | | | | San Francisco: |
| me then me walking Suzy. | | | | Four Wet Feet: 4599 18th St |
| Timings: | | | | South Paw: 199 Brannan St |
| March 11, 2007 - November 3, 2007: 5am to 9pm | | | | Russian Hill Dog Grooming: 1929 Hyde St |
| November 4, 2007 - March 8, 2008: 5am to 6:30pm | | | | Wags Pet Wash & Awesome Accessories: 1840 Polk |
| Waterfront Carriage Rides | | | | St |
| From Austin all the way to San Francisco, Suzy and | | | | Shop |
| her fascination for horses! It is said that if you want to | | | | Any pampered puppy needs good and healthy food, |
| see the city in the true San Francisco style then head | | | | clothes, toys, and a leash. Suzy is definitely a |
| for the carriage rides. Suzy loved every moment of | | | | pampered puppy. There are plenty of dog boutiques in |
| the smooth and sometimes bumpy ride around the | | | | San Francisco to choose from. We visited the B & B |
| waterfront. | | | | Pet Supplies located on 4820 Geary Blvd. They sell |
| Alcatraz tour | | | | dog treats, toys, food, training supplies and various |
| It was Suzy plan to visit the infamous federal prison at | | | | other accessories for exotic pets too. The staff is |
| Alcatraz. She was the one who wagged her tail but I | | | | really good and extremely helpful. You can also find |
| think it was a good idea. Alcatraz is considered to be | | | | some of the most spectacular clothing and apparels |
| one of the foremost tourist destinations in San | | | | for your dog. This Shih Tzu certainly did. Suzy's |
| Francisco and was home to Al Capone, Robert "The | | | | favorites were the leather leashes with fluorescent |
| Birdman" Stroud and George "Machine Gun" Kelley. It | | | | colors and faux crocodile prints. Not the most bashful |
| can be reached by traveling in a ferry. You can use | | | | of dogs. |