Most hotel amenities are built with the human guest in mind — plush robes, turndown service, a well-stocked minibar. At Sanctuary Beach Resort in Marina, California, one of the most popular perks is built entirely for a different kind of guest: the ones who arrive on four legs.
Tucked near the beach entrance at this pet-friendly resort on the Monterey Peninsula sits what staff call the Dog Stick Library — a small, curated collection of sticks, arranged and ready for browsing, that any visiting dog is welcome to “check out” before heading down to the sand.
How the “Checkout” System Works
The concept borrows its structure from the Little Free Library movement that’s become common in neighborhoods across the country: take something, and ideally, leave something in return. Here, dogs sniff through the available selection, pick out the stick that best suits their beach walk, and trot off toward the water with their new prize. The idea is that once a dog tires of its stick, a new one gets left behind for the next four-legged visitor to discover.
In practice, it works a little differently. According to resort general manager Sylvain Briens, dogs are considerably better at withdrawals than deposits, telling Time Out that dogs tend to take a stick but rarely bring one back. Keeping the shelves stocked, in other words, has become mostly a job for the resort’s human staff and guests.
More Than Just Sticks
The stick library is only one piece of a much larger pet-focused experience at Sanctuary Beach Resort, which sits on 19 acres bordering the protected Marina Dunes Preserve and bills itself as Monterey’s only pet-friendly beachfront resort. Dogs checking in are greeted by name on a lobby sandwich board, given their own personalized water bowl, and offered treats and poop bags on arrival. The resort’s restaurant, Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette, even runs a dog-specific “Pawtio” menu, including a whipped-cream “puppuccino” and a bone-shaped “barkcuterie” board of treats.
For dogs staying on the resort’s VIP “Ultimutt Vacation” package, the perks go even further, adding a plush microfiber robe, a dedicated pet bed, and premium water on top of standard access to the stick library and grounds.
Why a Small Idea Like This Travels So Far
Photos of the stick library have circulated widely on social media, drawing attention less for luxury and more for its simplicity — a low-cost, low-effort idea that taps directly into what most dogs already love about a beach day. It’s also sparked a common reaction among dog owners who see it online: some version of “this needs to exist everywhere.”
Whether or not the idea catches on at other pet-friendly resorts, it captures something that resonates well beyond one beach in Northern California — the small, thoughtful touches that turn a stay into a genuinely shared vacation for the whole family, paws included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dog Stick Library free to use? Yes, it’s a complimentary amenity for dogs staying at or visiting the resort with their owners.
Do guests need to bring their own sticks? No, though the resort notes the collection is mostly restocked by staff and guests, since dogs rarely return the sticks they borrow.
Is Sanctuary Beach Resort dog-friendly beyond the stick library? Yes. The resort allows dogs on its private beach, offers a dog-specific food menu, in-room pet bowls and treats, and an upgraded “Ultimutt Vacation” package with additional pet amenities.
Where is Sanctuary Beach Resort located? In Marina, California, on the Monterey Peninsula, roughly two hours south of San Francisco and about 15 minutes from downtown Monterey.
Sources consulted: Time Out, “This oceanfront California hotel has a stick library for dogs to choose from”, Sanctuary Beach Resort official site.
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