Three Rivers and Sequoia National Park — with a Dog (Trip Review)
- Jessica Masek
- Jun 18, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 19, 2025
A Cozy Valentine’s Getaway near Sequoia National Park
(With my fiancé, our dog, and a new favorite town)
For Valentine’s Day, we wanted to do something simple, peaceful, and budget-friendly. We’re saving for our wedding, so a big romantic trip wasn’t really in the cards — but a quick escape to nature? That we could do.
We landed on Sequoia National Park (about a 2.5-hour drive from LA) and stayed in a little town called Three Rivers, right outside the park. There was snow on the mountain, sunshine in the valley, and that crisp winter air that makes you breathe a little deeper. It ended up being one of those trips where everything just felt easy… and really, really special.
Our Hotel: Western Holiday Lodge
We checked into the Western Holiday Lodge Three Rivers, and honestly? I was charmed the second we pulled in. It’s not super fancy, but it has this charming mountain energy that makes you feel immersed in the environment — wood trim, warm tones, a big open field out back, and a super cozy vibe. And who doesn't love a fridge for leftovers?
The front desk saw we had our dog with us, and without even asking, they put us in a corner room at the very end of the hall; away from the elevator, away from the foot traffic, and right next to the big, open, grassy field area. It was such a thoughtful touch, and it made the whole stay feel easier and more relaxing.
We paid just $89.09 for one night in February, which is kind of unheard of these days. Probably because we went on a cold day in winter, but we love a cold-day adventure. There was a fridge, a microwave, and even a little coffee station in the room. For what we needed — a clean, quiet place to crash that welcomed our dog — it was absolutely perfect. There's also a playground, basketball courts, and a pool on-site, and it seems like a very cute place to bring a family. You can find more details about the hotel at the end of this article — or check out their website here!
Speaking of that Big Grassy Field...
After a full day of snowy sightseeing, we got back to the hotel and wandered around the big open field out back. It was golden and quiet and almost felt like a private backyard. We walked our dog before sunset, and even under the stars, and felt right at home. It was still, peaceful, and strangely magical — like we were the only people in the whole town. Perfect for pups!
Driving Through the Park (With a Pup)
Earlier that day, before we checked in, we had made our way up into the park. Heads up: dogs aren’t allowed on the trails in Sequoia, but they are allowed in parking lots and campgrounds. So we didn’t hike, but we still got to see so much. (I have hiked in Sequoia before, and I will link to that blog here once it's written. For now, I'll just say... Morro Rock!)
We drove up the mountain, weaving through towering trees and into the snowline, windows cracked just enough to let in that icy piney air. And wow, the snowline was really a LINE. It was like one second there was sun, and the next, a winter wonderland. And it was actually snowing, too! We pulled off at a few lookouts and empty campsites to walk around and stretch our legs — always keeping our pup on leash and off the trails, of course.
A note about cell service: Around the snow line, maybe a little sooner, we lost cell service — which is totally understandable, but that means listening to the same 5 songs over and over for a couple of hours. Thankfully they were great songs, but if they weren't, it would've been one silent ride! For some reason, I couldn't even access my downloaded songs on Spotify, so just be aware and maybe download some songs onto your phone. (Does anyone even do that anymore?)
I added those songs to a playlist, along with quite a few others I wish were in the mix for this romantic, reflective drive through the trees:
He rode like a champ, curled up in his cozy bed in the backseat with a brand-new stuffed toy we brought just for the trip. And we had zero issues with the park rangers — no stress at all. To be fair, we do have a small dog who is great in the car, so this might not be the best fit for every dog.
Romantic Brunch by the River
The next morning, we went into town and found the cutest little riverside spot for brunch. I wish I could remember the name (I can’t find it on Maps anymore), but it was one of those places that felt like you stumbled into a secret. (If you go to a riverside restaurant and eat this homemade marmalade and drink out of this mug, CALL ME IMMEDIATELY.)
We ordered delicious mimosas, sat by the roaring river, and soaked in the mountain air. There was a live singer singing love ballads for Valentine's Day, which gave such a "small town" charming energy. It was our own little slice of heaven. We trekked around with our dog a bit by the river so he could smell all the new smells (mimosas in hand) totally blissed out. And every single person we met, from the servers to the strangers at the next table, was warm, open, and seemed genuinely happy to be there.
It was definitely one of those "wait… should we move here?" kind of mornings.
A Few Other Cute Spots in Town
Even though I can’t find that exact café (this will bother me until the day I die), Three Rivers has tons of sweet, charming places that give off the same relaxing, slow-living energy. It looks like you've got plenty of options — and next time I go back (which hopefully will be very soon), I'll visit some of these and report back. If you've been to any yourself, drop your review in the comments!
For a beer and burger vibe
Looks cozy, casual, and actually on the river. Big patio, and their website says they have live music sometimes. Like a place you can get a really good burger and a nice beer. Sounds charming! They also have a Dog Gallery on their website — which is the cutest things I've ever seen? So maybe your pup can get famous while you're at it!
**The Spicy Bacon Bloody Mary sounds mouthwatering.
Check out their Yelp!
**And a review from June, 2025: "Amazing playlist and even greater burgers! The river view was nice to look at while me and my family ate and overall it was a very relaxed dining experience after a whole day of traveling and walking around Sequoia National Park. The view was great and me and my family want to come back to eat a second day!! Five stars"
Looks like a great spot to grab a light lunch and take it down to the river. It looks like they use super fresh ingredients, and they have gluten-free options, too. Their patio looks huge with plenty of space to enjoy your meal and a bit of solitude.
Check out their Yelp!
**And a review from June, 2025: "For such a small beautiful community like Three Rivers the Sierra Subs are simply fantastic! Fresh ingredients, classic old good recipes for sandwiches ,delicious lemonade and more! Made our day and the whole visit welcoming and yummy! Thank you! We are always will be back!"
Casual lunch / fancier dinner vibe
Looks like a charming cabin-style place with an AMAZING view of the river, and hearty food. Rustic and romantic. This seems like a sandwich, salad and burger spot for lunch, and a ribeye steak and a glass of full-bodied red kind spot for dinner. A little bit of everything, I'm here for it!
Make a reservation here! **Reservations ARE recommended!
Check out their website — you can also stay here! Check out their Yelp! **And a review from June, 2025: "Service was extremely helpful and checked in on guests as much as possible without being overbearing. appetizers were wonderful. definitely order the crispy potato chips w their dip. Mixed Drinks were okay but have a full bar, which is nice for an experienced mixologist. Ordered the Burger and Ribeye which had lots of flavour! Alfredo was very much mid...still a good time and venue."
Sequoia Coffee Co.
Quick coffee and breakfast sandwich pitstop vibe
Not technically riverside, but absolutely looks like it's worth a visit. Looks like a cute and reliable breakfast spot if the continental doesn't cut it for you — with burritos, pastries, and apparently excellent coffee! I will be stopping by here on my next trip for a little pick-me-up. Just note, there does seem to be limited seating and limited free parking — thanks to our Yelp reviewer below for the heads up!
**And a review from March, 2025: "Great coffee and fruit smoothies with nearby view of the River. A must stop place if you're going to Sequoia National Park!
Logistics:
-limited free parking
-limited outdoor seating (3 tables + 2 long benches)
-mostly take away"
Final Thoughts
This trip was simple — just one night, one hotel, one really good brunch — but it filled my heart up in that soul-exhale kind of way. The snow, the trees, the field behind our motel. Our dog, the mimosas, the kind strangers. It reminded me that you don’t have to do something huge for it to be special. Sometimes, a quick drive, a quiet night, and a shared breakfast by the river is all it takes.
We'll definitely be back!
And I'm still dreaming of unpacking boxes here one day...
Oh, and here's our dog with his stuffed pink elephant at the end of our long, lovely day.
Other things to Note About the Western Holiday Lodge:
If you’re thinking about booking a night here, here’s all the details you need to know!
Yep, it’s pet-friendly — and super accommodating. We brought our dog, and the fee was $35 for the night, which isn't bad compared to some other places we've been. The only thing is, you can't book a deluxe room if you’re bringing a pet. Those rooms are pet-free. But honestly, the standard rooms are totally fine. Ours was clean, comfy, and quiet.
Parking is free (thankfully), and they’ve got plenty of room even if you’re road-tripping with a bigger vehicle or a trailer. No stress.
There’s a complimentary breakfast, which is perfect if you want to grab a quick bite before heading up the mountain. They have toast, cereal, hard-boiled eggs, waffles, juice, and coffee. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.
Room-wise, there are lots of options: kings, queens, doubles, even some suites with little kitchens and balconies. If you’re staying longer than a night or want a bit more space, the suites looked really cute and homey.
Other perks: There’s a seasonal pool, laundry area, playground, and even BBQ grills and picnic tables if you want to hang outside. We loved how there was space to just be — like a mellow little basecamp instead of a sterile hotel box.
Check-in was a breeze, even with our dog. The staff was kind and caring. They gave us a room in a far corner away from the hustle and bustle, and with easy access to the big open field out back. It felt like they really thought about what would work best for us, as well as for other guests. Much appreciated!
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