Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for being one of the dog-friendliest towns in the country. In fact, many rankings have it as THE top dog-friendly town in the country.

One of the most fun things to do is to take your dog for a stroll on the beautiful white sands of Carmel Beach. Dogs can even frolic off-leash, but make sure he or she is within voice command and please clean up after your pet!

Carmel is chock full of wine tasting rooms these days and since they don't serve food, you can bring your pooch with you to any of the 15 tasting rooms in the city and sip some of Monterey County's finest vintages.

Carmel is famous for its great shopping and that goes for dogs as well. Get a treat (or two) for your four-legged friend at Diggidy Dog & Cat Boutique  on Mission Street just south of Ocean Avenue. There's a wide variety of treats, toys and accessories to pick from.

Carmel is full of history and colorful stories and Carmel Walks history tour of Carmel is one of the best and most entertaining ways to learn about this one-square-mile village. And, of course, dogs are welcome on this leisurely two-hour tour.

Many of Carmel's restaurants are dog-friendly, especially those with outdoor seating areas. The one that started this trend and still reigns as the best place to take your dog is Doris Day's famous Cypress Inn.  Not only is the hotel itself pet-friendly, thanks to Doris' love for animals, but you can have lunch or dinner on the patio, have a drink in Terry's Lounge during Yappy Hour, or enjoy afternoon tea on Saturdays, all accompanied by man's best friend.

Over at Forge in the Forest , dogs can choose delicious bites from their own Dog Pound Menu for lunch or dinner on the patio.

Other dog-friendly restaurants include Basil Seasonal Dining, Porta Bella, Grasing’s, Village Corner, Hog’s Breath Inn, Casanova Restaurant, Da Giovanni, and Little Napoli, to name a few.

If you want to get out into nature and away from the crowds, try a walk at nearby Mission Trail Park, a 33-acre nature preserve with 5 miles of trails through pine and redwood trees. There are five park entrances: Rio Road, 11th and Torres, Crespi Avenue and Mountain View Avenue, Martin Road, and 25800 Hatton Road. Disposable doggie-doo bags are available at all entrances.

And finally, many Carmel shops and art galleries are not only dog-friendly, they welcome dogs with water bowls outside and little treats inside.

Those are just some of the things you can do with your dog in Carmel, so get out there with your four-legged friend and see for yourselves what Carmel has to offer!