Placer county

Hundreds of square miles of national forests and other public lands make Placer County a DogTrekker hotspot. Highway 49 runs south from Auburn, the county seat, to access 35,000-acre Auburn State Recreation Area hugging two forks of the American River. Hidden Falls Regional Park is delightful in fall even if the falls aren’t running, while at Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park, you can hike to the river and watch the whitewater rafters go by. Read more.

Up the hill in placerville with your furry sidekick

Dog walking towards hamburger and beer in Placerville

Photo by @tbutcherskitchen.

The El Dorado County seat was named for the alluvial deposits that drew prospectors here during the Gold Rush. It’s nickname, “Hangtown,” relates to the lawlessness of the times. Today, however, it’s one of the most picturesque, bustling and dog-friendly of Gold Country towns. Read more.

A Tahoe classic that rewards with a splash

Tahoe is at its glorious best in summer, and the hike up Shirley Canyon to the High Camp recreation complex at 8,200 feet is a classic. Read more.

Bark early to reserve these primo camping spots

Two beagles in tent looking out at trees

Photo by Jessica Bay.

OK, let’s face it: the early bird gets the worm—or in some cases, the campsite. Mark your calendar six months in advance and either go Read more.

A cluster of winery finds in Gold Country

Wine grapes were introduced to the Sierra Nevada foothills during the Gold Rush years, when miners were thirsty for refreshment and farmers eager to provide. Today, the Sierra Foothills AVA (American Viticultural Area) stretches from Yuba County in the north to Mariposa County in the south, with five smaller AVAs under the umbrella designation. Two of them, El Dorado and Fair Play, are in El Dorado County, within easy striking distance of Sacramento, gateway to the Gold Country wine country. Read more.