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Packing for coastal regions can be tricky and when we decided to spend the weekend in Carmel with our pups this summer, we were a little surprised by the weather forecast. We visited in June and the mornings were crisp (the high 50s), breezy (with light showers), and foggy. California is well known for its June Gloom, so if you’re visiting during this time, make sure you pack the right things.

Here is a list of what we packed for ourselves and our pups. Read through the end to find out what we wish we would have packed.

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOU

1. Windbreaker with a Hoodie

The mornings were breezy and on both days we experienced light showers. If you have a windbreaker with a hood, definitely pack it. Crystal’s windbreaker had a hidden hoodie that came in real handy for those unexpected showers. I wish my trench coat had a hoodie for our morning walks with the pups.

2. Light Sweaters or Sweatshirts

Layering is key to staying comfortable, so we packed a couple of light sweaters and sweatshirts to keep us warm in the early mornings and evenings.

3. Flat Shoes - High Heels Are Banned!

Carmel has a ton of uneven pavement (from tree roots) so it’s best to wear flat sandals, tennis shoes, or sneakers. Plus, high heels are actually banned in the city of Carmel. If you must wear high heels you will have to take extra measures and obtain a permit to avoid a citation.

4. Shorts

If you plan on spending some time at the off-leash dog beach in Carmel, you may want to pack a pair of shorts. It will be too cold to jump in the water, but if you want to get your feet wet, it’s best to wear shorts or pants that can be easily rolled up.

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR PUP

Depending on your accommodation, your hotel might already provide these items.

1. Beach Towels

You’ll want to bring some extra towels for the beach if you plan on your pup running around in the water. We weren’t sure how many towels our hotel was going to provide for us, so we brought our own beach towels. They also come in handy if you want to sit down on the beach while watching your pups play.

2. Dog Waste Bags

Carmel is super dog-friendly and there are dog waste stations throughout the town; however, it’s a good idea to grab a few extra bags (or bring some of your own) for the beach.

3. Floating Swim Leash

Carmel Beach is an off-leash dog-friendly beach; however, if you are not comfortable letting your pup run loose in the water, definitely pack a floating leash. Luckily, both of our dogs can run around freely without a leash, but if that wasn’t the case, we’d definitely want a leash that floats and equipped with a snap link (more on the snap link next).

We searched several popular dog sites for the perfect leash and the best one we came across was from an American company called Soft Lines, Inc. We’ve never heard of them, but after reading Where The Coconuts Grow’s in-depth review, they look like the perfect leash for the beach.

THINGS WE WISH WE WOULD HAVE PACKED

1. Sand Proof Leash

This was something we didn’t even think about until wet sand got stuck in between Zooey’s swivel eye bolt snap hook. The swivel eye bolt snap hook is the part of the leash that clips to the collar and wet sand can jam this hook, which is exactly what happened to Zooey’s leash. To avoid this, it’s best to bring a leash that has a spring snap link instead. I thought Zooey’s leash would never function again but eventually, when the sand dried, the leash was working again. I’m glad it fixed itself, but it was a pain creating a makeshift leash and walking a mile back to the hotel with that.

2. Flip Flops or Sandals for Carmel Beach

You may not think about packing flip flops or sandals for the chilly weather, but it will come in handy when you are at the beach. We tried to carefully walk in the sand with our shoes, but it was impossible to keep the sand out. We went to the beach twice and each time we had to stop and pour sand out of our shoes and socks which we did not enjoy.

3. Easy Dry Off Dog Shampoo Mittens

Our hotel provided our pups with dog shampoo and shampoo mittens for on-the-go. The shampoo mittens were especially convenient for the beach. Sand and dirt love clinging onto Zooey’s fur, so I used the shampoo mittens for the first time. I was a little skeptical that it wouldn’t work as well as a normal bath, but it actually did a pretty good job spiffing up Zooey’s fur.

4. Dog Bed

We had planned to pack Kuma’s dog bed in the car, but we completely forgot about it. The hotel we stayed at didn’t have any dog beds, so the pups slept in the bed with us. Zooey loves sleeping on human beds, but Kuma prefers her own bed so we had to make up for it and give her extra treats for forgetting.

We hope our list helps you pack for your trip to Carmel. We stayed at the super friendly Hofsas House Hotel which was conveniently located within walking distance to cafes, restaurants, shops, and the beach. For a list of things to do in Carmel with your dog, check out our post HERE.