Calling Calaveras County

Lou in Calaveras. Photo by DK (CC) Mark Twain slept here. So did Western adventure writer Bret Harte. You’ll see their names plastered on b usinesses, schools and street signs all over Calaveras County, where dog-friendly communities like Angels Camp and Murphys don’t hesitate to play up their Gold Rush-era legacies. Read more.

The gold country’s golden chain highway

Sure, you’ve visited parts of Gold Country. But have you ever driven the entire 330 miles of Highway 49, the historic “Golden Chain Highway?” Considering all the dog-friendly places to see, things to do and history to absorb along the way, we at DogTrekker consider it a Five-Bone route for a road trip. Read more.

Tails in Tuolumne County

Like other parts of Gold Country extending into the High Sierra, Tuolumne County is rich in rugged scenery. It’s also a great place to learn about the colorful and convoluted history of a region that today is cherished for its hiking, fishing, river-rafting, camping and sightseeing opportunities. Columbia State Historic Park and Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, a stone’s throw from each other in the neighboring towns of Columbia and Jamestown, should be at the top of the list for families—and that includes Fido, of course. Read more.

Tuolumne tell-all

Tuolumne County, bordering Yosemite National Park along the Highway 49 and Highway 120 corridors, played a pivotal roll in 19th-century stampede for gold and silver, and its rugged landscape is dotted with towns—Columbia, Jamestown, Twain Harte, Groveland—that still have a boomtown feel. Read more.

Toolin’ around tuolumne

Groveland Hotel. Photo by Groveland Hotel.

Dog-friendly Groveland Hotel You’ll need time and fair weather to explore the upper reaches of this diverse county, but we’ll get you started with dog-friendly suggestions in a couple of areas ripe for a fall visit. Sonora, the county seat, is a great jumping-off point for excursions to nearby Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, where Rover can join you as you ogle the displays and hop into an observation car for a trip on the “Movie Railroad.” Read more.