Central Valley
Now as during the Gold Rush era, the Central Valley is both California’s breadbasket and a jumping-off point for excursions to wine country,
Gold Country, the Bay Area and the
Lake Tahoe. But with so many recreational opportunities close at hand, there’s no reason to wander far.
The region, stretching 450 miles from Glenn County in the north to San Joaquin County in the south, is drained by the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Colusa, Yuba, Sutter, Yolo and San Benito counties are part of the Central Valley mix covered under this DogTrekker tab.
Sacramento County has its own pages.
There’s lots of dog-friendly wine country to explore out there, as well as lakes, rivers, parks and public lands to explore. The Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta is an other-wordly maze of waterways of particular interest to Central Valley visitors.
Not all botanical gardens are dog-friendly, but we know some that are—and if you’re into tulips and other early-blooming florals, now’s the time for the two of you to watch spring springing into action.
more »
Madera County notches into
Yosemite National Park via Highway 41, segments of which are included on an 87-mile scenic loop known as the
Sierra Vista Scenic Byway.
more »
The words “wine” and “
Sacramento” may not seem to go together—until you realize more than 200 wineries and tasting rooms are situated within 75 miles of the state capital. Many welcome tail-waggers as warmly as the uprights on the other end of the leash. Once you and Sparky have experienced the friendly atmosphere in the Sierra Nevada foothills, along the Sacramento River corridor or in surprising nooks and crannies of
Yolo and
Lodi farm country, you might see no reason to visit that “other” wine country again.
more »
One of our favorite destination apps for the iPhone and iPad this year is called the
NorCalGuide. This comprehensive app covers both the Gold Country as well as the Central Valley, from Sierraville in the north -- to Lake Tahoe in the east -- to Sacramento and Folsom in the west -- to Bakersfield in the south.
You'll find destination profiles, points of interest, photos, videos, maps and events in the palm of your hand,showcasing the best of Northern California in a format that's easy to use on the go. Visit the iTunes app store and search for
NorCalGuide. Check out your favorite dog-friendly Gold Country place on
DogTrekker.com, and then use this handy app to guide you to, and around, your destination. The great thing about this app, besides all the cool stuff, is that it is free!
more »
The Clarksburg wine region along the Sacramento River just 10 minutes south of the state capitol is expanding like a supernova, with another boutique winery opening up every month, it seems, along the scenic Freeport-River Road. more »
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Dog Travel Events
Hollister
Doggone Dirty Spring Splash
May 25, 2013 to May 26, 2013
Hollister, California
Map & directions
Sacramento
Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash
June 8, 2013
3800 S Land Park Dr., Sacramento, California 95822
Map & directions
Hollister
5th Annual Dog Days of Hollister
June 15, 2013 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
W Sixth Street, Hollister, California 95023
Map & directions
Sacramento
Pups in the Park to Benefit Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary
June 22, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
33rd St. and McKinley Blvd., Sacramento, California 95818
Map & directions
Emergency Services
Country Veterinary Clinic
4839 East Butte Rd.
Live Oak, California 95953
Phone: (530) 574-1660
Animal Medical Center
3765 East Yosemite
Merced, California 95340
Phone: (209) 383-0434
Mueller Pet Medical Center
6420 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, California 95822
Phone: (916) 428-9202
Humane Societies/Shelters
Sacramento SPCA
6201 Florin Perkibs Road
Sacramento, California
Phone: (916) 383-7387
Town and Country Humane Society
4111 County Road 99W
Orland, California
Phone: (530) 865-3661
City of Sacramento Animal Care Services
2127 Front Street
Sacramento, California 95818
Phone: (916) 808-7387
Veterinarians
Banfield Pet Hospital
2375 Iron Point Rd
Folsom, California 95630
Phone: (916) 817-2538
Blue Ravine Animal Hospital
1770 Prairie City Road
Folsom, California 95630
Phone: (916) 984-0990
Folsom Veterinary Hospital
803 Reading St.
Folsom, California 95630
Phone: (916) 985-4700