Sit, stay and snore in dog-friendly San Francisco

If there’s a more dog-friendly city than San Francisco when it comes to lodging, we don’t know about it. The City by the Bay boasts dozens of hotels, motels and B&Bs that welcome pets. They range from upscale establishments in the Kimpton and Joie de Vivre chains to simple motels in outlying neighborhoods.

A favorite overnight spot on our DogTrekking map is the Ocean Park Motel, a streamline-moderne jewel with ship-shape rooms (some with kitchenettes), a grassy courtyard, and free parking. There’s a lot of history at this 1936 landmark in the Sunset District, but what’s best for dogs is a location just two blocks from Ocean Beach and adjacent Fort Funston, a leash-free canine playground that ranks as one of the premier dog hangouts in the city.

A closer-in option is Hayes Valley Inn, situated in a neighborhood with a labyrinthine bar and restaurant culture including Absinthe, just one of many eateries with dog-friendly outdoor tables. For an only-in-San-Francisco overnight experience, try Inn San Francisco, a 27-room Italianate-Victorian mansion now operating as a bed-and-breakfast in the vibrant Mission District.

Also a bit off the beaten path are three dog-friendly and reasonably priced places to stay: Hotel Kabuki (Japantown), Laurel Inn (Pacific Heights) and Good Hotel (South of Market).