Celebrate ‘Year of the Dog’–with your Dog in SoCal’s OC

Art, Fashion and Yappy Hour

Just how often do annual celebrations, shopping and happy hours converge with your favorite four-footed friend? Hardly ever, so it’s time to celebrate in style in Costa Mesa—the home of shopping Mecca South Coast Plaza and one of the most dog-friendly hotels in the west, The Westin South Coast Plaza, which is situated a pedestrian bridge stroll away from the shopping center. The Westin’s trademark Heavenly® Bed, fashioned of foot-thick pillow topping is the hallmark of the posh and nurturing guest rooms that also feature a Heavenly Bath.  But, the bed is not just for human guests. Pooch gets one too, and the four-legged version is just as plush made of custom-designed oversized pet pillows, covered in a Heavenly ® bed duvet, which mimics the human version.  Critters also are given a welcome package of treats, a Heavenly dog toy and an official “Dog in Room” privacy sign.

South Coast Plaza, known for attracting visitors from around the world who have a fine appreciation for art and fashion, decided to commemorate the Lunar New Year with the U.S. premiere of an exhibition featuring the work of Beijing-based fashion photographer Quentin Shih on view through November 7 at adjacent South Coast Plaza, as well as a magical Asian garden sprinkled with gold coins symbolizing good fortune.

To kick off the doggie celebrations, the canine-loving Westin and the shopping center partnered for a special Yappy Hour in February. This four-legged version of Happy Hour was held in the hotel’s Waterfall Terrace area in collaboration with Lunar New Year celebrations at South Coast Plaza. Hotel guests and the general public attended the event by themselves or with their well-mannered furry friends.  These pampered pooches enjoyed bacon and chicken infused water, dubbed “dogtails,” plus tasty handcrafted treats from JustFoodForDogs® and more. Miniature fire hydrants and artificial turf enhanced the mood. The first ten pooches received a swag bag filled with dog-oriented items. Proceeds from the event benefitted the Bichon Rescue of Orange County’s Seniors for Seniors dog rescue service and several dogs were available for adoption. The hotel’s dog-friendly policy permits guests checking in to bring along dogs weighing up to 40 pounds. Some restrictions apply.

 

Six-legged Surfing in Huntington Beach

The city that became legendary as “Surf City USA” boasts more than a century of ever-breaking waves.  Huntington Beach, home of surf-singing sixties duo “Jan and Dean,” opened its first surf shop along the white, sparkling strand of beach in 1953, a few years before the U.S. Surfing Championships were first held there and more than 25 years after Duke Kahanamoku brought the sport to Huntington Beach.

Enviable water and sand combine for day-time fun, from surfing to sunbathing; after the sun goes down, bonfires ignite the sands for romantic night-time strolls. Grab some marshmallows and someone you love and hit the sand. To share the surf with your beloved canine, head to a special section of Huntington Beach reserved for four-legged friends – even if you don’t have a furry pal along. Huntington Dog Beach surf-watching is a popular pastime here as surf-riding dogs shoot the curl in tandem with their two-legged owners. The beach, free to the public, operates as a non-profit organization and furnishes complimentary biodegradable “doggie bags.” (www.dogbeach.org)

Mark your calendar for the annual Surf City Surf Dog celebration on September 29 on Huntington’s Dog Beach.  The “pawsome” event draws a big crowd of animal lovers and features inductions into the International Surf Dog Walk of Fame and an awards ceremony for the furry shredders. The free event that features several vendors gives back to various dog charities.

Visiting with your dog? Stay at The Hyatt Regency which is delighted to host your furry friends under 50 pounds, offering pet designated rooms just a few steps from the sand and its Surf City Grocers stocked with dog treats. (Photo courtesy Dominique Labrecque)