San Diego, with its temperate climate and ample supply of outdoor venues and cafes, is considered a prime market for the pet travel niche, say those in the know. The county is well-positioned to attract pet-lovers looking for a quick getaway because tourists are drawn here from other Southern California counties, as well as from Nevada and Arizona.

“There are 80 pet friendly hotels listed on our web site in San Diego. I’d say that’s a lot,” said Melissa Haliburton, co-founder of bringfido.com, a canine travel directory of pet friendly U.S. hotels that has seen its listings more than double to 35,000 in just five years.

“San Diego has great weather, and you’re a year-round destination. Tons of people want to travel with their pets, and in a bad economy, it costs more to board your pets than bring them to a hotel, so we’ve seen more traffic on our site.”

The Auto Club’s “Traveling with Your Pet” guide also shows significant growth in San Diego County, with pet friendly properties increasing from 53 in 2008 to 74 properties this year.

The pet-friendly shingle hung out by many a hotel, though, has come to mean much more than a comfy room for your cat or dog to curl up in.

Increasingly, upscale and boutique properties are trying to outdo one another with luxe pet amenities that include everything from surfing lessons, guided hikes and sessions with pet psychics to gourmet room service menus and spa treatments (think pooch pedicures). Recently, the Hotel Solamar and Loews Coronado Bay Resort made it onto to TripAdvisor.com’s list of the nation’s top 10 pet-friendly hotels.