Santa Cruz County is as much about wine as beaches. The Santa Cruz Mountains appellation is known for cool-climate pinot noir, and many dog-friendly tasting rooms dot the hills from Soquel to Davenport, including Poetic Cellars and Bonny Doon Vineyard.
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Santa Cruz County's 29 miles of coastline include 15 dog-friendly beaches. Mitchell's Cove allows off-leash play before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., while Seacliff State Beach features a curious concrete freighter hull that has stirred imaginations since 1929.
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Beyond the beaches, Santa Cruz County offers dog-friendly hiking at Byrne-Milliron Forest and Pogonip, steam train rides at Roaring Camp Railroads, and leashed strolls down boutique-lined Pacific Avenue. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park even allows dogs on select trails.
Read moreSanta Cruz County's 29 miles of coastline include 15 dog-friendly beaches, from leash-free Mitchell's Cove to the sandy stretch at Seabright State Beach. Off-leash dog parks and the quirky concrete freighter at Seacliff Beach round out the fun.
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Five favorite waterfront campgrounds where dogs can splash and play, from Big Lagoon in Humboldt County to Pismo State Beach on the Central Coast, with stops at Lake Tahoe, Santa Cruz and Big Sur along the way.
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From gentle beach outings and pond-side cottage stays to houseboat adventures on Lake Shasta, California offers plenty of water-friendly activities suited to senior dogs who still love a good splash.
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Santa Clara County and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District offer tens of thousands of acres of dog-friendly parkland. Pulgas Ridge stands out with 16 acres of off-leash play and six miles of trails.
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Highway 1 between Pacifica and Carmel packs 122 miles of dog-friendly beaches, coastal trails, and charming towns. Walk the Devil's Slide Trail, lunch seaside in Santa Cruz, and let your pup run off-leash on Carmel Beach before exploring the village.
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Mount Madonna County Park near Gilroy packs ocean views, redwood forests, and 14 miles of dog-friendly trails into one Santa Cruz Mountains preserve. Spring wildflowers make it especially beautiful, and nearby Kirigin Cellars offers off-leash wine tasting grounds.
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Pacifica offers six miles of coastline just over the hills from San Francisco, with leash-free beach romps, a spectacular hike to Mori Point, and thousands of acres of public parkland.
Read moreSanta Cruz County's 29 miles of coastline offer beaches, off-leash dog parks with ocean views, and dog-friendly restaurants for a coastal getaway. Mitchell's Cove provides leash-free sand time, while Seacliff State Beach features a quirky concrete freighter from 1910.
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Santa Cruz lifted its longtime ban on dogs downtown, and the new policy is now permanent. Leashed pups are welcome from sunrise to sunset, opening up cafes, pizza joints, and seafood spots along the way.
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