Sonoma Pet Boarding Guide: What to Know Before You Travel To The Wine Country

Heading to Sonoma for a long weekend of vineyard hopping, great food, and zero alarm clocks? Fantastic! But if you’re like most of us, your dog thinks they’re invited too. Spoiler alert: most tasting rooms still say “no pups beyond the patio,” and even the dog-friendly wineries draw the line at leaving Fido in the car.

That’s where a trusted boarding kennel becomes your best friend (so your best friend can stay safe and happy while you sip). Here are some great tips we recommend to make your booking experience as smooth as possible! 

1. Book Early—Really Early–No, Even Earlier Than You May Think

Sonoma County is continuously bustling with local events! From the Sonoma Film Festival to Napa’s popular Bottle Rock (conveniently occurring Memorial Day weekend), boarding can fill weeks, sometimes months, in advance. A good rule of thumb: any time kids are out of school, plan on booking a solid 90+ days out. It may seem crazy to book a Christmas stay in August, but it is easier to adjust dates than to wait and hope there is still availability!

2. Vaccination & Health Requirements

To keep every guest safe, we require:

• Current DHPP (or DAPP)

• Bordetella (within the last 6–12 months, depending on your vet’s protocol)

• Rabies

Bring paperwork or have your vet email it ahead—no one wants to scramble at drop-off.

4. What About the Meet & Greet?

At Maranda Ranch Kennels, we believe every dog is one-of-a-kind, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. Our Meet and Greet sessions allow us to get to know your pup personally and confirm that our environment is the ideal match for their needs.

During the Meet and Greet, our experienced team carefully evaluates:

• Interaction with staff: How comfortable and friendly is your dog with our handlers?

• Kennel behavior: How do they settle in their private space?

• Response to other dogs: Are they calm, curious, or playful around new canine friends?

• Play style: Do they prefer gentle wrestling, high-energy chases, or more independent exploration?

A Meet and Greet is required for all first-time guests to ensure safety and happiness in our group-play setting. That said, we understand travel can be challenging. If you're coming from out of town, we're happy to conduct the evaluation on the first day of your dog's stay. Just give us a call ahead of time, and we'll make everything seamless.

3. What to Pack (and What to Leave at Home)

Pack:

• If your dog has a sensitive tummy, enough food for the entire stay (pre-portioned bags) - otherwise, we provide NutriSource Beef and Rice formula.

• One favorite toy or blanket that smells like home (anything you bring is subject to destruction)

• Any medications with clear instructions

Leave at home:

• Beds that can’t be washed (we provide Kuranda cots and fresh bedding)

• Rawhide or fragile toys that could become choking hazards (If it requires constant “monitoring”, leave it home)

• 
  

4. Dog-Friendly Wineries vs. Reality 

Yes, Sonoma is one of the most dog-friendly wine regions in the world, but policies vary wildly:

• Tin Barn Vineyards: Dogs welcome in the tasting room

• Larson Family Winery: Huge lawn and dog treats at the bar

• Gundlach Bundshu: Bring your own bowl; they have water stations

• Most others: Patio-only, and many require leashes 6 ft or shorter

Bottom line: You’ll still need boarding for the full-day itinerary or romantic dinner reservations.

Your Sonoma Pet Boarding Checklist 

☐ Reserve boarding (do this first!)

☐ Update vaccinations & send records

☐ Book dog-friendly dinner/patio reservations only

☐ Pack food, meds, one comfort item

Ready to lock in your pup’s vacation so you can enjoy yours?

🐾 Book Your Boarding Stay Now at Maranda Ranch Kennels

We’re located just 12 minutes from downtown Sonoma, with carefully curated play yards, climate-controlled suites, and daily posts of the dogs playing so you can sip that Cabernet guilt-free.

See you and your pup soon—cheers!

The Maranda Ranch Team