Follow Highway 49 south through Amador County for yet another take on Gold Country. You’ll find lodging at historic, dog-friendly establishments like Hanford House in Sutter Creek, the Imperial Hotel in Amador City and the St. George Hotel in the historic hamlet of Volcano, as well as contemporary Days Inn and Best Western properties. You’ll want to make a weekend of it, as the No. 1 attractions, wine and food, demand lingering.
Best known for its robust zinfandels and barberas, Amador County celebrates big reds with its annual Barbera Festival, an outdoor sip-and-stroll event set this year for Sept. 15 at Known Terra d’Oro/Montevina Winery in the Highway 49 town of Plymouth. More than 80 wineries from around the state will be pouring, while top restaurants will offer samples of their fare. Artists, musicians and vendors are of course part of the scene. If your dog is reliably well behaved in crowded situations, bring her along (but be sure to keep her leashed, provide water and pick up after her immediately should the need arise).
If you can’t make it to the festival, visit some of the county’s 20-plus tasting rooms and wineries that welcome pets. Through September, Baiocchi Wines offers an additional lure with a bi-weekly music series on Sunday afternoons at its dog-friendly Sutter Creek tasting room.
Of course, sometimes you just need a vacation from your pet—and your pet needs a vacation from you. Find satisfaction all the way around at Gold Country Pet Resort & Training Center in Ione, where you can board your dog for a day or three and/or get instruction in canine sports including dock diving, barn hunt and nose work.
Photo Credit: @jeffersonthedood
