Strike gold with El Dorado County wines

Collie and small dog in El Dorado County

Although sprawling El Dorado County has quite a few craft breweries, it’s better known for its wine, apples and other fresh produce. The EDC Wine Trail features more than a dozen wineries on both sides of Highway 50 that welcome dogs and provide scenic rural vistas in the process. Read more.

Strap on the snowshoes and get moving

If you haven’t tried snowshoeing, what are you waiting for? You don’t have to invest in your own equipment if you’re new to the activity. Snowshoes are available for rent from most ski shops; all you need are some warm snow boots. On designated trails with packed snow and flat terrain, walking in snowshoes is almost as easy as walking in street shoes. Read more.

Kick and glide with Fido at your side

a woman on skis next to a brown and white dog in the snow.

What, you’re a cross-country skier and your dog doesn’t have a season pass? Tahoe Donner Cross Country, consistently ranked as one of the best XC resorts in North America, Read more.

Plowed dog walking trails? we’ll bark for that!

Photo by Derek Sears.

Let’s say there’s been a recent snowstorm, your dog needs exercise and you want a place to walk without donning snowshoes or skis.

Gold country treasure hunt

Are you one of those folks who enjoys taking selfies with your dog wherever you roam? Add some fun to your quest by participating in the Placer Wine Trail Photo Hunt, a contest taking place through December. The deal: Visit a member winery, find the “treasure” (it might be an artwork, an artifact or a physical feature of the property), take a selfie, post it on Instagram and be entered to win a $100 gift card. Read more.