While winter means snowflakes elsewhere, California's warmer destinations make for quieter, dog-friendly trail days. Four best-in-show playgrounds to explore with your pup this season—from coastal Mendocino and Greater Ontario to Redding's Sacramento River trails and the fee-free East Bay Regional…
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Great news for Bay Area dog owners. The East Bay Regional Park District has dropped dog fees in 2025, giving pups free access to 73 parks with 1,250 miles of trails across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Pleasant Hill makes…
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Pleasant Hill in Contra Costa County offers dog-friendly wineries, off-leash parks, scenic trails and a welcoming downtown with patio dining. Nearby regional parks and nature preserves round out a perfect East Bay outing with your pup.
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Now celebrating its 90th anniversary, the impressive East Bay Regional Park District spans more than 125,000 acres in Alameda and
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Pleasant Hill makes a fantastic Bay Area base camp for dog owners. With off-leash trails winding through Briones Regional Park's 6,250 oak-studded acres and welcoming hotels and restaurants downtown, this Contra Costa County gem has everything pups and people need.
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DogTrekker's most popular 2023 destination stories span the Golden State, from Sacramento's walkable dog scene to Placer County's mountain trails and beyond. These paw-tested reader favorites are packed with ideas to inspire your next California road trip.
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Concord and Pleasant Hill sit at the base of Mount Diablo, where summit views stretch 200 miles on clear days. The 32-mile Iron Horse Trail, Todos Santos Plaza, craft breweries, and dog-friendly restaurants round out a great East Bay outing.
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Pleasant Hill in the East Bay offers affordable dog-friendly hotels, patio restaurants like Wence's Oyster Bar, and the 63-acre Paso Nogal Open Space with fenced dog parks. A solid base for exploring the Bay Area with your pup.
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Briones Regional Park near Pleasant Hill offers 6,255 acres of rolling green hills with panoramic views and off-leash trails. Nearby, the 32-mile Iron Horse Regional Trail follows an old rail corridor through charming East Bay towns.
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Concord and its neighboring communities sit among thousands of acres of protected open space, from the Contra Costa Canal Trail to Lime Ridge and Diablo Foothills Regional Park. Spring is prime time for green hills and wildflowers.
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Contra Costa Humane Society runs programs from low-cost spay-neuter assistance to AniMeals, which provides pet food to 450 families so they can keep their animals. CCHS also fosters shelter dogs and matches pets needing new homes with prospective adopters.
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