If you're thinking of taking your pet along with you to romp on a California beach, make sure you do a little research. For one thing, dogs are restricted from running free on most public beaches in the San Francisco area (though the law is often ignored). To find out where you can bring man's best friend, check out the online Pets Welcome service (www.petswelcome.com), which lists accommodations that allow pets. The site also lists pet-related publications, medical travel tips, and links to other pet-related websites.
A good book to carry along is The California Dog Lover's Companion: The Insider's Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog (Avalon Travel Publishing), a 900-page source for complete statewide listings of fenced dog parks, dog-friendly beaches, and other indispensable information.
Also note that San Francisco has strict leash laws (including stiff penalties for failing to pick up waste). In the event that your pet requires medical care while you're visiting, call or visit the SF/SPCA Animal Hospital, 2500 16th St. at Harrison Street (tel. 415/554-3030; www.sfspca.org). The San Francisco Veterinary Specialists, located at 600 Alabama St. at 18th Street (tel. 415/401-9200; www.sfvs.net), is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
