Climb (or drive) every mountain

Two adventurous pooches rest on an intriguing shoreline peppered with rocks, their loyal water bottle companion at their side. Behind them, a serene lake seamlessly merges with the cloudy summer sky, creating a breathtaking backdrop for this canine-friendly spot. This picture-perfect setting offers not only natural beauty but an array of exciting activities for your furry friends to enjoy. - Dogtrekker

Buddy and friend on Lake Shasta. Photo by Michael Brown.

On a clear day, 14,179-foot-high Mount Shasta comes into view just north of Sacramento as you make the trip up Interstate 5. Read more.

Where to float away

Northern California has more houseboating opportunities than any other state in the Union, but a little homework is always in order. For comprehensive information and comparisons, check in with Forever Resorts, biggest player in the state, and with web-based booking agencies houseboating.org and houseboats.com, each of which represents multiple operators. Meanwhile, from north to south, here are some premier places to float your boat. Read more.

Avila Beach

Lisa and her dog, Penny love Avila Beach! Here's what Lisa had to say about their Avila Beach adventures. Read more.

Doggedly exploring Amador County

Photo by @konabear_wolfdog

If there’s one part of California wine country getting an exceptional amount of buzz this past year, it’s Amador County—and specifically the Shenandoah Valley AVA, best known for its robust zinfandels. Most of the 20-plus wineries in this relatively compact area welcome dogs in their picnic areas if not their tasting rooms, but you’ll want to get settled into the night’s lodging before setting out to sip and swirl.

Get your Buttes in gear

two beagles in rowboat with Sierra Buttes behind

Cricket and Splash boating on Sardine Lake. Photo by Jessica Bay, @littlehounddog.

The Lakes Basin Recreation Area straddles Plumas and Sierra counties about 70 miles north of Lake Tahoe. It's truly a land of lakes, with more than four dozen pools Read more.