Central Coast
Head out on The Original Road Trip and explore California’s Central Coast—350 miles of the world's most dramatic coastline. This incomparable region stretches from
Santa Cruz County, south of the San Francisco Bay Area, to Ventura County just north of Los Angeles. Along the way, you'll pass through Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.
Storrs Winery - Photo Credit: @ltkphotography
If you appreciate all things organic, mark your calendar for Saturdays and Sundays in September, when the Organic Wine Trail of the Santa Cruz Mountains showcases certified organic vineyards and practices. Of eight member wineries, four have tasting rooms (three of them dog-friendly) with regular weekend hours, while the others are appointment-only. more »
Queen of Asilomar Beach - Photo Credit: Tandra Wright
Whew! Summer’s over, the crowds are gone, fall weather is on the way—and with it (usually) crystal-clear skies and views to go with. There’s no better time for a trip con canine along California’s gorgeous Central Coast. Start in Santa Cruz County, where the cottage-and-cabin options include the family-favorite Santa Cruz/Monterey KOA in Watsonville, just a few miles from the coast. more »
Monterey Bay Aquarium - Photo Credit: Håkan Dahlström (CC)
by Dave Kendrick, Co-founder DogTrekker.com
A reader recently mentioned that as part of our in-depth coverage of destinations around the state, we should provide tips that locals use to have fun with their dogs in their home towns or regions. Since Cannery Row and Monterey County are DogTrekker.com’s backyard playground, we thought this would be a good time to begin sniffing out how to navigate the local scene.
Tip 1: The Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row is a top attraction for many visitors. Dogs aren’t allowed inside, but that shouldn’t stop you from bringing your pup on a visit to the area. Here are some ways to do that:
• Short-term boarding: a seven-minute walk from the aquarium is Casa de Amigos Animal Hotel, where you can leave you pup (as long as she’s up to date on her vaccines) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a flat fee of $25. Other sitting services are listed here.
• Maya, DogTrekker.com’s Director of Barketing, loves to be pampered while her parents are checking out the latest aquarium exhibits. Close by is a full-service Petco groomer. Others can be found on DogTrekker.com and on the DogTrekker mobile app. more »
Lovers Point, Pacific Grove - Photo Credit: @desiferguson
The most abiding joy to be had on the Monterey Peninsula is simply enjoying the rugged coastal scenery, and there’s no better way to soak it up than on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. This paved, multi-use path stretches 18 miles from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south. To get started, we suggest strolling the segment between Cannery Row and Asilomar State Beach, which will take about an hour at a moderate walking pace. more »
This Friday will be the last day to enter the "Let's Cruz" Vacation Getaway for a chance to win a two-night stay at the renovated AAA four-diamond
Chaminade Resort & Spa located on a spectacular 300-acre Santa Cruz mountaintop.
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