Ella spent the first year of her life living in San Francisco, and during the two years we’ve been gone, I forgot just how doggone pet-friendly the city is. And Lawd if we didn’t take advantage of that during our grand return.
We went back and forth on whether to take Ella on this trip–mainly because it’s so expensive to fly with a pet: on Frontier, it was $125 for the leg SVV flew that we booked through a third-party site; $75 for the flight back that we booked directly via their website–but in the end, we couldn’t bear to leave her at home. ($200 is worth every penny for your pet’s happiness—and yours—wouldn’t you say?) And we’re so glad we took her with us; not only was she a champ in flight (she loved the plane and didn’t even need a doggie Benadryl) but she pranced around the city like she owned that town.
Of course, the biggest reason I’m glad we took her is that she was able to reconnect with her old friend Dianne, THE best dog trainer in San Francisco (of anywhere in my opinion), and Dianne’s bearded collies Royal and Truman.
When I told Dianne we were coming to town, she suggested we take the kids up to Corona Heights, which worked perfectly for us as we were staying in the most adorable Airbnb rental on Page Street in the Haight, and it was a quick drive (or a very steep walk if you’re up for the challenge).
Corona Heights towers high above the city where it’s nice and quiet and the views are unbeatable. It’s hard to believe there’s a spot this wild and beautiful smack in the middle of a major metropolis.
The pups were free to roam around off leash, while taking in the views and making friends with other beauty-seekers.
Ella and Roy rekindled their relationship and picked up right where they left off; he was her first boyfriend as they were born just weeks apart in 2010 and went through 16 weeks of puppy training together.
Roy is pretty well known within the San Francisco dog community; after all, he has his own e-book “Roy & Hydrants” out (download it for free here), a series of himself posing atop fire hydrants all over the city.
So famous that other hikers wanted their picture made with him.
It really was the perfect San Francisco day.
Royal agreed.
Ella didn’t think it sucked either.
While I don’t regret leaving San Francisco as a permanent home, there are definitely aspects I miss like the city’s dog-friendly attitude. There are very few places where you can’t take dogs, versus in Tennessee where they shoot us looks like we just escaped the insane asylum when we go trotting into Lowe’s with Ella in tow.
And again, if you’re looking for an ace dog trainer in San Francisco, look no further than Dianne at DOGMASF. I guarantee you, she will not let you down (and if you’re lucky, you might even land a friendship out of the whole deal like we did!).
I seriously leave my heart in SF every time I go there. About a month ago I brought my own dog to my favorite city and I’m pretty sure she loved it. Speaking of, did you happen to stay in one of the airbnb rooms owned by an older Indian couple?! I stayed in a dog-friendly Victorian room on Page in the Haight district and enjoyed it very much. How funny would it be if we stayed at the same place!
We didn’t, no! But sounds like we stayed really close by. We were at Page and Masonic in a girl named Kat’s place. It was lovely!
I haven’t taken this walk, so I’m adding yet another idea from your site to my on-going SF list. The photos of those dogs’ fur blowing in the wind are classic.
Ella’s only six pounds, so at times I was afraid she was going to blow right off the mountain! It is quite windy up there in a way that’s so San Francisco.
This looks like such a fun walk! I’ll have to do it when I’m in San Francisco.
Yes, do it! It’s an easy, quick and convenient walk, but you could spend some time up there if you brought a picnic blanket and a beer or two 😉
San Francisco will always be my favorite city in the US. So much going on all the time, clean, not too big even if over crowded. It’s also about location to other great nearby places. Too bad it’s such an outrageously expensive place to live. Oh, and never windy.
Ella is so cute. Being a dog lover, I agree with you fully. I also can’t afford to go to any trip without my pet.
We actually thought about taking her to Europe next summer, but the quarantine time doesn’t make it worth it!
Looks like Ella had really fun in San Francisco. This is definitely one of the best places I’ve been.
Ella loves anywhere where she can be let off leash, smell all the smells and dominate all the others in the area…in that respect, Corona Heights was probably her favorite stop on our whirlwind California trip 😉
These shots make me almost want a dog… almost. Ella is such an intrepid little traveler, isn’t she?! I think she needs her own book. Ya know… if you’re not doing anything else. =)
Spend a day or two around my mom’s posse, and you’ll likely go home with a dog, ha!
How adorable!
I am loving the windswept look that Ella and Roy are working… If only I could pull that off! Such cuties xx
Some real great views over the city San Francisco is such an amazing city and this walk seems to give stunning views down over the city. The dogs look like they are having such a great time, so many awesome shots very nice post.
the photos of Roy’s “hair” is to DIE for. Just made my day. He is certainly the Fabio of the dog world, and should be put on the cover of every dog romance novel. now.
These dogs are pretty amazing and awesome photos.