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
Oakland, 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.
Photo: Instagram @thecharliebean
Yes, Oakland is a vibrant urban place to visit, but it’s not all about dog-friendly ale and wine trails, waterfront dining and hotels (more about that below). As dog-centric locals know, one of the pleasures of living here is proximity to many open-space preserves where you can flee the big-city hustle-bustle and revel with your pup in the shade of redwoods or atop grassy ridges with panoramic views. more »
Wooden Valley Winery - Photo Credit: @egoldswo
When it comes to dog-friendly wineries, Suisun Valley wineries in Solano County are just a hop-skip away from Vacaville, San Francisco and Sacramento. This unpretentious “Rustic Wine Country” is one of California’s best-kept secrets and holds many surprises, including regional parks, a half-dozen dog-friendly tasting rooms and lots of farm-stands selling fresh regional produce. more »
Head on over to Jack London Square in Oakland on July 28 from 10 am to 2 pm for the East Bay SPCA’s Adopt-a-thon 2019! The shelter hosts almost 30 local animal shelters and rescues. The goal: to raise awareness about the homeless animals in the community.
While you’re there, you can find vouchers for discounted microchips, giveaways from the Oakland A’s and a button-making station. You can also take home a cat, bird, dog, rat and more to grow your family! more »
Get your tails to Centennial Park in Vacaville to attend its dog park leash-cutting ceremony! The ceremony is on June 29 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. There will be two parks: one for smaller dogs, and one for bigger dogs.
Be one of the first 50 park-goers and take home a free gift for showing up. And make sure to use the hashtag #dogsofvacaville on your socials - you might be featured in Visit Vacaville’s galleries! more »
Happy dogs at Point Isabel. Photo Credit: @theemmanation
The Bay Area wouldn’t be what it is without its tawny, oak-studded hills, and we have the East Bay Regional Parks District to thank for keeping many of them accessible to the public. The district manages 65 parks spanning 114,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, offering between them some 1,200 miles of dog-friendly trails. Away from developed areas, four-legged friends trained to come when called can trek with you leash free. more »