It’s easy for dogs and their people to fall in love with Carmel-by-the-Sea, which landed the No. 2 spot on the Dog Fancy list. Top attraction is mile-long, powder-white Carmel Beach, one of few legally leash-free strands in California and a glorious place for Rover to romp. But what makes this charming-yet-quirky resort community “heaven for dogs” is that canines aren’t just tolerated; they’re embraced. Many Carmel shop and gallery owners beckon pooches and their people inside with water bowls and treats. Dogs are allowed to bed down in 17 of Carmel’s 62 lodging establishments, (including the famous Cypress Inn), and to lounge tableside on the patios at PortaBella and more than a dozen other restaurants. Dog-loving Mayor Sue McCloud has even been known to bring Rob, her dandie dinmont terrier, to city council meetings. Meet you at the Fountain of Woof!

Yelp, we thought that seeing this Solano County town in the No. 4 slot on the Dog Fancy list would elicit yowls of surprise. Yet behind all those happily wagging tails in Benicia is a community of dog lovers who worked hard to create amenities such as Phenix Community Dog Park, and a pair of leash-free beaches on the Carquinez Strait at the edge of downtown. Many shops and restaurants along First Street, the main drag, welcome wet noses at their sidewalk tables. “You can get anything from pizza to filet mignon with your dog by your side,” says Canine Coalition founder Gretchen Burgess. Favorite meet-up spots include the dog-friendly Union Hotel and the eclectic First Street Café. Work up a pant by hiking the San Francisco Bay Trail along the coast, or trek from the dog park up to city-owned Lake Herman.

What can you say about a town that has its own dog park mayor, an ice cream parlor that provides free licks for Fido, and a 47-acre botanical garden, known for its rhododendrons and dahlias, that not only welcomes dogs, but loans out mobility scooters to the physically impaired? "We're all dog-crazy here, and our weather is perfect for dogs year-round," says Johanna Jensen, co-founder of the Mendocino Coast Dog Owners Group (otherwise known as McDog), which helped put attractions such as cherished, leash-free Noyo Beach and the stunning Pudding Creek Trestle on dog-lover maps. It's safe to say that every Fort Bragg restaurant with outdoor tables welcomes dogs and their people, as do the canine-centric Beachcomber Motel on the Beach and more than a dozen other places to stay.

So, the verdict is in—California has gone to the dogs! And each week, DogTrekker will sniff out the very best destinations, attractions, activities, hotels, restaurants and adventures throughout Northern California for you and your dog. Each issue also will feature either a humane society or breed-specific dog rescue group and the great work they are doing to provide loving homes for the dogs in their care. We hope you enjoy DogTrekker and will pass it along to your friends and family and encourage them to sign up for a free subscription . If you have comments or suggestions about what you see, please email them to comments@dogtrekker.com.

Thanks for your support,
~ DogTrekker staff

Photo Credits:

"Canines by the Sea", Woof Fountain - CarmelCalifornia.com
"Bark for Benicia", Dog Shops - Gretchen Burgess
"Lots to Bragg About", Hairy by the Sea - hairysblog.com

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If there's one destination in Northern California that really rolls out the red carpet for your pooch, it's Mendocino County. You'll find dozens of hotels, motels, inns, B&B's and cottages that will welcome you and your pup with open arms, treats and amenities. For more on accommodations, check out the Visit Mendocino lodging page and search "Pet Friendly." In addition to great places to stay, many winery tasting rooms welcome canine companions with water, treats and a place to curl up by the bar.

Stop by Husch Vineyards, where dogs are allowed in both the tasting room and picnic area. Looking for ways to enjoy some exercise with your pooch? Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens or go paddling in a kayak rented from Catch a Canoe.

Restaurants, bakeries, cafes, retail establishments and gorgeous beaches compliment the dog-friendly lodging scene to make Mendocino a true paradise for people traveling with their four-legged companions. For a look at Mendocino from a dog's point of view, check out Hairy Putter's blog; Hairy is the "Official Canine Ambassador" of Mendocino County and does get around!

Golden State Greyhound Adoption is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that places retired racing greyhounds in adoptive homes in the San Francisco Bay Area, the greater Sacramento area and beyond. Greyhound racing is legal in 15 states and Mexico, and for every dog who makes it at the track, dozens are produced who do not. When racing greyhounds are deemed no longer profitable, either because they aren't winners or have sustained an injury, kennels often try to find new owners who will adopt them as pets. Sadly, many are destroyed, often before age four or five.

That's where rescue organizations like Golden State Greyhound Adoption come in. Established in 2002, GSGA is one of the largest rescue groups in Northern California. Most of its adoptable dogs are flown in from racing kennels in Colorado and fostered by volunteers until permanent homes can be found. Greyhounds are sweet, gentle animals that adapt well to home life and make great companions and loving pets. Read more about greyhound rescue or call 925.946.0426 for more information.