Santa Clara County

15 communities comprise Santa Clara County and the Silicon Valley. A must-visit for DogTrekkers is San Jose’s Santana Row, or the park-like, and dog-friendly Stanford Shopping Center.

Santa Clara County is also blessed with tens of thousands of acres of dog-friendly parklands, including those within the Midpeninsula Open Space District. On top of that, virtually every community has a fenced dog park.
 

Explore the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail

Now here’s a wine region that’s hiding in plain sight. The Santa Clara Valley (also known as Silicon Valley) is one of California’s oldest wine-growing regions and home to some 34 family-owned wineries and tasting rooms, many of them dog-friendly.

The city of Gilroy, known for its famous garlic festival, is your home base for exploring the region; just follow the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail signage to craft your own tour. more »

Spring Rambles in the South Bay

Chasing waterfalls at Uvas Canyon County Park
Photo Credit: @adventuresofbearstorch

South of San Francisco, you and your frisky pup have more velvety-green hills to wander in spring. Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve in the hills above San Carlos and Redwood City is one option that really sets tails a-waggin'. Off-leash play is allowed in a 17-acre parcel of this 366-acre San Mateo County preserve that was once the site of a tuberculosis sanitarium. All five miles of trails are dog-friendly, and on clear days you'll get a good view of the Santa Cruz Mountains. more »

Four Falls On One Outing!

Swanson Creek, Uvas Canyon Park

In the wake of a good spring drenching, the Uvas Canyon Waterfall Loop Trail near Morgan Hill in the South Bay’s Santa Cruz Mountains rewards with easy footing and sights to put a smile on your face and a wag on Scout’s tail. more »

Put These Hiking Havens On Your Radar

Regional park districts in the Bay Area and beyond offer myriad venues for hiking with your dog. Check out the possibilities and put paws to path this fall! more »

Fields of Fun in Gilroy

Lots of California wineries welcome dogs, but Kirigin Cellars near Gilroy goes above and beyond. "One of our goals is to be the world's most dog-friendly winery," says Maria Bruhns, who oversees the 94-year-old establishment's tasting room. more »