East Bay Area
Alameda,
Contra Costa and
Solano Counties are collectively referred to as the East Bay. We add to that Tri-Valley and the cities of
Concord, Pleasant Hill and
Vacaville. Recreational opportunities with dogs find high expression in the
East Bay Regional Park District, which includes 1,200 miles of trails in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
Dog-loving residents of Oakland have it all: tons of bars and restaurants with dog-friendly outdoor seating, an overall welcoming attitude toward canines, and a wealth of open-space trails.
Solano County is filled with farms, wineries, wildlife areas and coastal trails, all dog-friendly and ready for you and your dog to explore together. The city of
Vacaville has a pack of dog-friendly restaurants and lodging properties and the historic town of Benicia has been named one of the nation’s most accommodating dog-friendly towns.
The Concord Taco Trail is a directory of nearly 40 authentic, locally owned restaurants and taquerias, and it’s all you need to explore some the city’s best hidden culinary gems. Most of the taquerias and restaurants offer cuisine made from authentic family recipes specific to different regions in Mexico.
The taco fan with the most check-ins at the end of the promotion will be crowned the new Taco Trail Champion and awarded the official Taco Trophy. more »
Dogs love to stay in Vacaville wine country
Maybe you know Vacaville in Solano County as a place you see exit signs for as you zoom past on Interstate 80. But if you and your four-legged companion have never checked it out, you can’t know what you’re missing! Vacaville is an affordable base camp for DogTrekkers keen on visiting Northern California wine country. And, it's very dog-friendly! more »
Courtesy of the East Bay Regional Park District
The very dog-friendly East Bay Regional Park District is partnering with Outdoor Afro to commemorate Juneteenth by waiving park entry fees on Saturday, June 19, 2021. Juneteenth is an annual recognition of the 250,000 enslaved Black Americans in Texas who were notified of their freedom on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect.
“There is no better place than parks to reflect on Juneteenth, the end of slavery, and today’s ongoing social justice issues,” said Park District Board President Dee Rosario. “The District embraces diversity, inclusion and promotes equal access for all.” Learn more here. more »
Shop Benicia
The City of Benicia has long been a DogTrekker favorite for daytrips and the occasional overnight stay. This hidden gem of the San Francisco Bay Area, Benicia has it all: a quaint, historic downtown, wonderful "retail therapy" shopping and lots of dog-friendly fun.
The City has now launched Shop Benicia, an eGift Card program designed to reward people for supporting small local retailers in Benicia while providing the public with a safe and convenient holiday shopping experience. The gift cards can be redeemed at any participating business in the city.
Cards can be purchased online, used personally or sent to loved ones as gifts via email or text messages. In addition, the City has donated $10,000 of free bonus gift cards for gift cards purchased from Shop Benicia. Purchased cards never expire, City bonus cards expire February 28, 2021. more »
The Contra Costa County town of Concord calls itself a “Northern California Original,” and it’s easy to see why. With a booming craft brew scene, creative dining options and a thriving music scene (it’s the birthplace of jazz great Dave Brubeck and the Concord record label), quick access to thousands of acres of open space and massive Mount Diablo looming in its backyard, it’s an East Bay oasis for outdoorsy types. more »