Santa Clara County

The 15 communities that comprise Santa Clara County and the Silicon Valley have an all-work, no play reputation, but their four-legged residents have a way of convincing human companions otherwise. Just check out the pooches strutting their stuff on San Jose’s Santana Row, soaking up the atmosphere at the park-like (and utterly dog-friendly) Stanford Shopping Center or lounging under sidewalk tables at posh Palo Alto restaurants.

But Santa Clara County is hardly an all-urban enclave. The county is blessed with tens of thousands of acres of paw-friendly parklands, including those within the 90,000-acre Midpeninsula Open Space District. On top of that, there’s hardly a community in the region without a fenced dog park. The climate for eight months a year is reliably divine, but even in weather-iffy winter, this world center of all things techie offers dog-friendly diversions worth yapping about.
 

Walk 'n Wag in Silicon Valley

The Humane Society of Silicon Valley is holding its annual Walk 'n Wag fundraiser this Saturday, October 15th, to support its important mission of helping homeless animals and providing affordable pet-care services. more »

July 16: French Toast

San Jose's upscale Santana Row shopping, dining and entertainment district is always a prime place for people- and pooch-watching—especially around Bastille Day (July 14), when many establishments stage French-flavored events. French dogs are the focus on Sunday . . . more »

July 14: Wag and Wine

Palo Alto's Garden Court Hotel boasts one of the loveliest open-air courtyards in the region, and tomorrow between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. it's going to the dogs. The first annual Wagging Tails & Wine event features pourings from dog-friendly Mutt Lynch winery, hors d'ouevres from the hotel and services of a dog photographer, a trainer, an animal communicator and a pet boutique. Raffle prizes include a two-night stay at the hotel. Suggested donation is $15, all of which benefits the Humane Society Silicon Valley.  more »

Fields of Fun in Gilroy

Lots of California wineries welcome dogs, but Kirigin Cellars near Gilroy goes above and beyond. "One of our goals is to be the world's most dog-friendly winery," says Maria Bruhns, who oversees the 94-year-old establishment's tasting room more »