Location: 1967 Hilltop Drive, Redding, California, 96002
Website Link: Redding Hotels | Oxford Suites Redding California Hotel 
Wagging Tails: 3 out of 5
General Cost: $119 (at lowest) for pet-friendly rooms with a pet fee of $25
What's Included: The hotel gave us a paper gift bag full of toys and treats for both dog and person, and a collapsible water bowl bonus for her. They also gave us three free bottles of good-tasting water, which was great, because the temperatures climbed to 99 degrees (F), and we definitely needed to drink water.
Points of Interest: Oxford Suites is close to Mt. Shasta, Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and many little lakes. For a more artsy person, you may want to see the Old City Hall Arts Center or visit the Redding Civic Auditorium. 
A minor point of interest not many people have heard of is the Vortex. It's located in several places among the tranquility of nature around and on Mount Shasta. The Vortex is supposed to be a place you can visit to do some soul-searching, find your true self, and show up to your best potential. After visiting and doing some breathing exercises, legend says you should feel "recharged" and ready to go.
What Redding lacks in touristy places is a quiet, tranquil, and peaceful place full of hiking, biking, swimming, exploration, and, yes, soul-searching. It's the kind of place where you can go out into the forest with a good book and maybe a mug of coffee, lean against a tree, and just read.
Doggie Comments: The hotel room was small. There was a big bed and a sofa-that-turned-into-a-bed, but I ended up almost having to sleep right next to the bed because the room was so small! Imagine sleeping on a BED! That would be so wrong and I would get into SO much trouble!
This place was pretty boring except for the time we spent outside of the hotel. I got to chase a lot of birdies. I wasn't allowed inside the restaurant, where they went a lot to eat, so I was just alone in the room most of the time. 
This hotel was REALLY boring!
Owner Comments: The hotel seems like a 5-tail hotel at first, but in reality, the room is really dysfunctional. We stayed in a room with a king bed and a pull-out sofa. With the bed, two TVs, bathroom, sofa, and "office space", plus the dog bed we had to put in at night, there really was barely place to walk past the beds to the bathroom. The service was pretty good, but in the morning, our toilet's flush broke, and we had to wait about a half hour to an hour to have it fixed--in fact, some of us ended up using the restaurant's restroom because it took so long. It was a nice hotel with nice amenities such as a pool, free salad bar & two drinks each, and the A/C  was nice. It felt good just to sit in the room, and we only made it to the base of Mt. Shasta to take some scenic pics and visit the Vortex.

Location: 1651 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, CA 94920
Website Link: Tiburon Hotel-Hotel in Tiburon | The Lodge at Tiburon
Wagging Tails: 3.5
General Cost: Lowest $119. Check Rates and Packages. Reservation by e-mail. Check for deals on Groupon. 
What's Included: The hotel doesn't give anything out for free, except for apples and water in the lobby. The tavern is overpriced, as well as room service, though it does taste good. However, I had forgotten my toothbrush. The staff in the lobby quickly supplied us with another one.
Points of Interest: Just across the famous Golden Gate Bridge, the Lodge is located on the other side of the bay from the infamous San Francisco, close to the lesser-known city of Sausalito. You can visit either of these towns easily from the lodge, or explore Tiburon itself. Tiburon was once a railroad town, much different from what it looks like now. On a spot by the bay, you can read a placard with pictures taken from the spot it is standing-but the pictures are from when Tiburon was a railroad town. A charming town, Tiburon has ferry boats, such as the large Blue & Gold Fleet, which take you to places across the bay.  A very pet-friendly town; if you walk out to the bay, you can see dogs playing off-leash. Even though this location doesn't seem like it has the many points of interest others do, think again: the San Francisco piers, close by, but Tiburon's sleepy little town perfect for relaxation!
Doggie Comments: I liked it here. There was a HUGE fireplace, and the room was so comfy! But there were people making loud noises in the parking lot in the middle of the night, and our room was next to them. I barked, and we could hear a lot of what other people were doing in their rooms. I barked at them too.
Owner Comments: The room was very nice, but the walls were thin. We had booked a room that was one bed short, so we were able to order a rolling bed, which was quite comfy, but took a while to get to our room. We unfortunately missed eating dinner at the restaurant because of this and had to order room service instead, which was overpriced. Since everything was just closing, the food wasn't prime quality. The staff was nice enough, but lacked order and structure. We called the front desk to see why the bed was taking so long, and they said, "Oh, it's coming." It came 20 minutes after. However, the hotel was lovely and the decor was well-coordinated and matched. 
NOTE: For more information on The Lodge at Tiburon, please download the file below.

Location: 5928 Highway One, P.O. Box 336, Elk, CA 95432
Website Link: Greenwood Pier Inn
Wagging Tails: 2.5
General Cost: $135-$335 per night (with $25 dog fee). For further information on specific houses, please visit their reservations page. Or, check Groupon for  deals!
Note on Pet-Friendliness: Some of the rooms offered do not allow pets. Rooms that allow pets are: Garden Cottage, Hummingbird Suite, Starfish, West Gallery, and East Gallery. Strictly no-pet, no-children rooms are: Aerie, Lighthouse Suite, and La Petite Oiseau. Any rooms not specified here may or may not allow pets (and children).
What's Included: This depends on the room you book. We stayed in the Hummingbird Suite, which had a private deck and jacuzzi in the room. It also had a fireplace, which Detective Pups fell in love with. Specified room amenities may very. Contact Greenwood Pier Inn for further specified information. However, all rooms come with breakfast, which can be delivered to your room each morning.
Points of Interest: Greenwood Pier Inn is close to Greenwood State Beach and the city of Mendocino. It's quite close to Wine Tasting with the Anderson Valley Wine Growers Association, and the Skunk Train. It is also in Elk, California, a city with a very interesting history! Apparently, the Inn was named after the city, which used to be called Greenwood. However, the city soon found out another city in California was already named Greenwood, and was forced to change the small town's name to Elk. The city is just a few small blocks, and walkable throughout, though it's cold, even in the springtime. However, dogs love this aspect of it, though they have to be tied outside before you go into some shops. Jack London, the author of classics such as White Fang and The Call of the Wild, liked to stay in Elk when he visited in the 1900's and write in a hotel room overlooking the ocean. In addition, you can see the ocean either from your room or nearby. Elk has views of the Pacific Ocean unlike anywhere else. It is also near Glass Beach, a California State Park. Here, people used to dump glass bottles. The ocean took them, broke them up, and shaped them into beautiful pebbles of pure glass! Now, the beach is covered with them. The beach is dog-friendly, and if you turn left on the path there, you can get down to the beach and take a few pieces of glass. You want to wear shoes on this beach, because, although the glass isn't pointy anymore, it's still glass! However, I went barefoot for a little bit into the water-cold!-and did not get hurt. This is a must-see if you stay at the Inn or nearby! 
Doggie Comments: The fireplace was AMAZING! It was in BOTH ROOMS, so I could sleep ANYWHERE, but in one room there was carpet and I fell asleep there, so at about eleven o' clock, I actually had to be LIFTED off the floor and into my bed. I was SO sleepy, it was such a fun day, I even ran away once, but then I got caught and had to come back.
Owner Comments: The rooms were pretty good (though we just slept there; we were out the entire day!) and the town of Elk was small itself. We walked nearly all the time until we got cold (even though it was springtime!), and I have to say Elk reminded me of a frontier town you might have read about in history books. There's not really good cell phone or computer signal there, so it wouldn't be a good place to book as a business trip spot. There's really only one General Store there, and hiking paths go down to the sea. It's fun there, and we got our shoes soaked trying to get Pups to play in the water. The beach's pretty dirty and foggy though, not the clean beaches you would see in L.A. or San Diego. It's very quiet and secluded from the rest of the world. However, one staff member at the gift shop said that Glass Beach was no longer there, because people had taken all the glass. We were pretty disheartened after that because we had all been really excited about it, so we went there anyway, to see if there was any glass left there, and when we got there, there were just a few people and a TON of glass! The State-Park side of the beach was pretty dilapidated, and barely had any glass left, and so maybe the staff member was right. 
Just keep in mind, there IS glass on Glass Beach!

Location: 1579 Mission Dr., Solvang, CA 93463
Website Link: Royal Copenhagen Inn
Wagging Tails: 4.5
General Cost: $109-$225 with $15 fee per dog (per night). For specified rates, check their rates page. Also check specials and packages. Also look on Groupon for discounts.
What's Included: Two free postcards of Solvang are included in each room. They also have a Danish breakfast, with some American implements (such as cereals), so it remains kid-friendly. A pool is available year-round with a dog-friendly grass area off to the side. 
Points of Interest: There's plenty to do in the Santa Ynez Valley! The Santa Ynez Valley is home to Santa Barbara Wine Country, which includes wineries such as the Artiste Winery, Gainey Vineyard & Winery, Sunstone Vineyards & Winery, Rideau Winery & Vineyard, Carhartt Vineyard & Winery, Foxen Winery, Melville Vineyards & Winery, Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyard, Foley Estates Vineyard & Winery (Lompoc), Rusack Vineyards, and Firestone Vineyard. There are also Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours, if you'd like a more hands-on experience. And, then, of course, there's always Solvang. Also known as "Little Copenhagen", Solvang lends a wealth of attractions. From traditional Danish bakeries to large windmills, you could spend days on end just looking in the shop windows. Or, if you'd rather sit indoors, the Chumash Resort Hotel, Spa & Casino. Santa Barbara is relatively nearby as well. Los Padres National Forest, taking up 1.75 million acres of the California Coast, would be a good option for those closer to nature. Other nature places include Cachuma Lake Recreational Area, Nojoqui Falls & Park, and Glider Rides. Or, if you like farm animals & horses, Rancho Oso Guest Ranch & Stables or Santa Ynez Valley's Arabian Horse Association might be the way to go. 
Doggie Comments: This was a nice Inn. It had a cat and a grassy place where even my overreactive Little Person could let me go off-leash (she did follow me like a cat with the poop bags). At breakfast, they let me play in the outdoor eating area. Unfortunately, I had to fight with the cat to leave my people alone. That cat was mean.
Owner Comments: This was a very nice place to stay. It had a wonderful pool with a nice outdoor area and a nice room setup. We had a party of 5 people and could comfortably fit into two rooms. Since we had two double beds, we pushed them together, but the management didn't complain or separate the beds. It was centrally located in Solvang, which was nice, as we rarely had to use the car. This was nice for our dog, as she never seems to get enough walks, and this way she was knocked out after we returned. The staffing was very nice, and when my elderly grandfather was locked out of his room when he was taking a breath of fresh air, they let him back in. However, there is an alley cat who haunts the dumpster. This is also a dog and cat friendly hotel, so this could be a problem for some dogs (our next-door neighbor's cat had a habit of sitting on the windowsill and when my dog passed, she wanted to attack her. It was quite family-friendly as well. However, if you would like the loft, you should book well in advance, as we were trying to book the loft for 2 nights, and unfortunately never got it. When you eat at the Danish breakfast, you can let your dog in the back, as it has a small eating area & yard outside while you eat indoors (or outdoors). The food was quite delicious, and had both Danish and American food.

Location: 411 Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Website Link: Pismo Lighthouse Suites
Wagging Tails: 3.5
General Cost: $130-$170 per night with $25 dog fee
What's Included: Pismo Lighthouse Suites has a wide picture window and patios for both ground and upper-level suites. Most look out on the ocean, which has a stunning view of the sunset and surrounding cliffs. A path to the beach is not included straight from the hotel, but is easily accessible as they offer a way through a neighboring resort. They also give you a car sticker ("Wag more, bark less") if you come with a dog. A complimentary dog bowl is included for use during your stay: do not take anything home without checking with the front desk first, as most things there are overpriced. However, a lovely pool and hot tub offer a partially obstructed view of the ocean. The front desk is very good about ordering food if you've had a long day at the beach and would just like to sit back and relax. However, some restaurants nearby do not have good take-out ordering services, but this is not the hotel's fault.
Points of Interest: The local coast can be a wonderful place to spend your day. The beach is dog-friendly, which is nice, as you can let your dog off-leash to play in the waves. However, there are a lot of birds, as is to be expected, and a lot of other dogs. Hearst Castle is a 45-mile drive from Pismo Beach. While you're there, you might as well drop by the National Geographic Theater, located in the Hearst Castle Visitor Center. Or, just 3 miles away, try visiting Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, the only California State Park where vehicles were allowed to be driven on the beach. And if you would simply like to stroll around the scenes of beauty in nature, Pismo Beach's Monarch Butterfly Grove is an amazing sight you won't be likely to forget soon. Pismo Beach is also home to Championship Golf Courses, which you can visit on the Central Coast Golf Trail Website. Central Coast Wine Country is also nearby. Check out Morovino Winery, Alapay Cellars, Salisbury Vineyards, Laetitia Winery, Edna Valley Vineyard, Tolosa Winery, and Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar in downtown Pismo Beach. These branches are part of the Paso Robles Wine Region and the San Luis Obispo Wine Region. This is a very family-friendly region as well, and if you have kids, you can visit Avila Beach Community Park and Marine Institute, San Luis Obispo Children's Museum, or The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville in Oceana. If your children are interested in animals, you can try both the Charles Paddock Zoo and the Avila Valley Barn, open seasonally. Ragged Point is a scenic drive down Highway 1, 50 miles north of Pismo Beach. The Piedras Blancas Seal Rookery is also an interesting place to visit. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, and more. You can contact Central Coast Outdoors for more information. Pismo Prime Outlets, California Polytechnic State University, and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, along with San Luis Obispo's Botanical Gardens and the Morro Bay Estuary are also other don't miss attractions. There are also a selection of dining and restaurants. 
Doggie Comments: I encountered rabibits–sorry, rabbits–for the first time here. I just sat on the porch all day and they had to tie me up because  I was about to jump over the gate and once I escaped and chased rabbits and it was SOOO much fun but torture, you should see my blog post, 5 Easy Ways to Depress Your Dog While Traveling.
Owner Comments: This was a wonderful hotel, but most of the items, like the doggy drinking bowl, were overpriced. If you wanted a souvenir, you would be better off not shopping in their gift shop! The sunsets were absolutely stunning, and even though we went in winter, it was warm enough to play in the ocean. We were soaking wet when we came back, but we immediately went straight to the pool and then to the hot tub. Service was great. One of the showers broke while we were staying there and somebody came in immediately to fix it. However, the staff at the front desk didn't know too much and had to ask around so it took a little while to get your questions answered. The room we stayed in was very family-friendly, and could easily sleep 6 people since the sofa was fold-out, and the bedroom contained two double beds. However, I would not recommend coming to this hotel if your dog is a barker when he/she sees wildlife or can't control themselves with rabbits.
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Location: Gaia Shasta Hotel, 4125 Riverside Place, Anderson, CA 96007
Website Link: Gaia Shasta Hotel
Wagging Tails: 4.5
General Cost: Varies by day and number of people. Check rates. Also look for coupons on Groupon.
What's Included: The Gaia hotel doesn't offer much in take-home goodies, but rather relaxes you with a wide-framed picture window and a patio (on the ground floor). Swans glide on a beautiful blue lake (be careful with your dogs–sometimes these big birdies can be a BIT feisty!), and lovely staffing. It's also air-conditioned–it can get hot in the summertime! 
Points of Interest: Fun things to do are limitless in Shasta country! Northern California's Shasta and Cascades are also known as the Gateway to the Wilderness. Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mount Shasta, the Sacramento River, and Shasta Lake are just a few of the fun things available to do in Shasta! Fly fishing, Mount Shasta Ski Park, and Turtle Bay Exploration Park, are also places to visit. Or, if you'd like something a bit less outdoorsy, try the famous Sundial Bridge, a bridge that's not only a bridge–it's a sundial! You can also visit the nearby towns of Chico and Redding!
Doggie Comments: There were big birdies there. I just sat by the window all day and stared. And tried to escape. I also chased a rabbit a little bit. The big birdies snapped at me, and so I got pulled away. I really wanted to chase the swans. I even sat next to them. What a shame and a waste of big birdies.
Owner Comments: The hotel was overall very beautiful. Our room was overlooking the water feature, which is lovely by day and possibly even prettier by night. The room was great. The beds were comfortable and the pillows not too fluffy. We did not have the chance to eat out, but we had brought some Cup-A-Noodles with us, and made them by heating water in a coffee pot. However, the service was a bit slow, as we had asked for hot water, which never came, and a hair dryer, which took a while to get to our room.

Location: 11331 Brockway Road
Truckee, CA 96161
Website Link: Larkspur Hotel; Dog-Friendly Truckee
Wagging Tails: 3
General Cost: $159-$269 per night (Check for coupons on Groupon)
What's Included: A doggie goodie bag, complete with a bowl, toy, and poopy bags, is included. You can borrow a bed during the night (so you don't have to bring your own for your dog) and the front desk stocks leashes and crates for complimentary use during your stay.
Points of Interest: Larkspur Hotel in Truckee offers access to beaches, skiing in the winter, and visits to Lakes Tahoe and Donner. It also has river rafting, fly fishing, golfing, disc golfing, hiking, and biking. You can check out their local attractions, such as Donner Memorial State Park, Old Highway 40, and Fanny Bridge! Or, if you'd like a change of scene to something more, well... not physical, you can shop or take a look at their events calendar! This hotel also has the famous Mountain Burrito Company (sign pictured above) available for dining! Until June, they were serving a most interesting meal: buffalo burritos!
Doggie Comments: OH MY SQUIRRELS. THEY HAVE MAGIC DOORS!! Other than that: OH MY SQUIRRELS. THEY HAVE APPLES!! And OH MY SQUIRRELS. THEY GIVE YOU AMAZING BEDS!!
Owner Comments: As you have already probably been told, Larkspur Hotels offer apples for humans and dog treats for dogs in their lobby as well as a refreshing drink of water. Of course, we visited in the summer, so they may serve hot chocolate in the winter. It was overall a nice hotel. We bought a Groupon for it, and so got to eat at the Mountain Burrito Company, whose food was out of the world! Breakfast was also included in our package, and was great as well. They have an outside eating area in Mountain Burrito Co. so you can bring your dog and your food and enjoy the sunset! The hotel room was, however, a bit small, though the service was great. They allow you to leave your dog in your room while you go out and We went river rafting as well, with our dog.  We rafted with Truckee River Raft Co., which is NOT featured on the hotel's rafting page as it is a bit out-of-the-way. They let us get out of the raft and all in all was about a 4-hour boat ride! However, this hotel was about a 30-40 minute drive from Lake Tahoe and all of its activities, but there are plenty of things to do in Truckee itself as well!