Fifth stop: Mammoth Lakes back to Sac via Yosemite

a brown and white dog laying in front of now covered mountains

Allow a full day—or more, if time permits—for the long but scenic drive back to Sacramento via Highway 120 over Tioga Pass Road through Yosemite National Park. Read more.

Second stop: Highway 50, Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe

Of the two primary ways to get to Lake Tahoe from Sacramento (Interstate 80 or Highway 50), 50 is by far the more scenic. Read more.

First stop: Start in Sacramento

The California capital makes a great jumping-off place for DogTrekkers poised for a trip to high country. Snuggle into a dog-friendly hotel, dine on a restaurant patio with your pup at your side, take a scenic hike on the American River Parkway, and you’ll be primed to head “up the hill” for your next stop on your high Sierra road trip. Read more.

Sacramento’s big gift

Almost every city and shelter in California sponsors a holiday adoption event, but few are as fortunate as Sacramento in having a benefactor like Kim Pacini-Hauch, a pet-loving real-estate agent who is picking up the cost of pet adoption through Dec. 31 as part of the Front Street Shelter’s “Home for the Pawlidays” event. Read more.

It’s “fleas navidad” in Sacramento

The Sacramento SPCA is among organizations working many angles this holiday season in an effort to raise funds and find loving homes for the animals in its temporary care. It’s “Fleas Navidad” adoption program, running Nov. 27-Dec. 23, offers half-price adoption fees on adult animals, and every pet adopted goes home with a goody bag that includes Advantage flea preventative from sponsor Bayer Animal Health and a gift from the Container Store, which opened a new retail outlet this month in Sacramento. Read more.