An easy California dog trip for seniors
California suits seniors traveling with dogs when the trip is built around short drives, easy walks, cooler weather and stops with clear pet rules.
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California’s best dog-friendly resorts
Resorts are different from hotels. A hotel is somewhere you sleep between activities. A resort is the activity — grounds you can walk for an hour, restaurants and bars on the property, water access, real space for a dog to…
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Secret mountain hikes with dogs in California
California's best dog-friendly mountain hikes hide in national forests and regional parks, far from the famous national parks that ban pets on trails. Dawn in the Sierra Nevada is a quiet, pink-tinted secret. My dog, Scout, knows it before I…
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California’s top tail-wagging destinations: Adventure awaits
A south-to-north road trip through California's best dog-friendly destinations, from Ocean Beach in San Diego and Runyon Canyon in LA to Big Bear Lake, Carmel Beach and beyond. Each stop pairs off-leash fun with pet-welcoming hotels and cafes.
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Local tips from the top (human) dog
DogTrekker's co-founder shares insider tips for visiting Monterey County with your dog, from boarding options near the aquarium to indoor dog-friendly restaurants perfect for cooler days along the Central Coast.
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Wine down with your dog by your side
Monterey County's wine scene is wonderfully dog-friendly, from the intimate tasting rooms along the River Road Wine Trail to Carmel Valley's laid-back vineyards and the strollable Wine Walk by the Sea in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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Soak up some coastal scenery in Monterey County
The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail stretches 18 miles of paved, scenic coastline perfect for walking with your dog. Pair it with an inland hike at Garland Ranch Regional Park for off-leash trails through redwoods and open savannahs.
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Monterey County parks
Beyond famous Carmel Beach, Monterey County offers miles of off-leash hiking at Garland Ranch Regional Park, scenic views at Jacks Peak, and 20-plus miles of trails at Toro County Park. Well-behaved dogs can roam free on many of these paths.
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The National Forest/BLM advantage
National forests and BLM lands offer dog owners freedom that state and national parks rarely do. From Hope Valley's golden aspens to Garland Ranch's swimming holes and Mendocino's coastal bluffs, these public lands welcome off-leash hiking under voice control.
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Inland bounty in Monterey County
Beyond Carmel's famous off-leash beach, Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley offers miles of off-leash trails, swimming holes in the Carmel River and dog-friendly water fountains. Hikes range from a flat 1.4-mile loop to a strenuous ridge climb.
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Put these hiking havens on your radar
Bay Area regional park districts offer incredible hiking with your dog. East Bay Regional Parks has 1,200 miles of trails, Marin County Parks manages 34 preserves, and Monterey County welcomes off-leash dogs at Garland Ranch in Carmel Valley.
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Coastal cool-off in Monterey County
Monterey County pairs coastal and inland hiking for dogs and their people. Stroll the 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, then head to Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley, where dogs can roam off-leash through redwood forests and oak savannas.
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