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 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.
Nut Tree - Photo Credit: @tankjanssen
When it’s mealtime in Vacaville, you’ll find many casual, dog-friendly options, from pizza and barbecue to Mexican, Italian and sandwich shops. Your most engaging option, however, might be the Nut Tree, a 72-acre, mixed-use development with retail space and 26 food and craft-beer options, many with dog-friendly outdoor seating. more »
Alamo Creek Bike Trail - Photo Credit: @makinusmile
Yes it’s primarily a bike path, but dog walkers will find much to enjoy along the shaded, 4.4-mile Alamo Creek Bikeway, which meanders through southern Vacaville and connects several municipal parks, including Nelson, Patwin and Beelard. Want to keep going? The trail intersects the Southside Bikeway connecting downtown Vacaville to the north and Al Patch Park (sports fields and restrooms!) to the south. more »
Coco at BackRoad Vines
Photo Credit: @coco.bean.frenchie
Taken aback by prices at Napa and Sonoma hotels? Stay in Vacaville at half the price and visit Napa, Sonoma or the nearby Suisun Valley Rustic Wine Country on a daytrip. At DogTrekker.com, we list nine dog-friendly lodging options, including the Hampton Inn & Suites Vacaville/Napa Valley, which doesn’t charge extra for pets, includes a hot breakfast in the rates and offers a “puppy love” package, as well. more »
Lagoon Valley/Peña Adobe Regional Park
Photo Credit: @itskalinotcali
Don’t you love it when you stumble upon something great that you never knew about before? That’s the feeling that takes over upon entering Lagoon Valley/Peña Adobe Regional Park, a 470-acre preserve just off Interstate 80 between Vacaville and Fairfield. more »
Sycamore Valley Open Space Preserve
Photo Credit: @mr_wigglebutt
The story behind why the Tri-Valley region has more open space than urban sprawl is long and complex, but there’s no arguing with the results! All four towns in the region are situated in close proximity to parcels within the vast East Bay Regional Park system, where dogs can hike with their people off-leash in many open-space and undeveloped areas, provided they are under strict voice control at all times. more »