Maximo, Hotel Rex Ambassador When it comes to dog-friendly hotels in the City by the Bay, two trustworthy brands and many individual stars stand out. Joie de Vivre, largest operator of boutique hotels in California, has seven dog-friendly properties in San Francisco, none of which impose breed or weight restrictions or charge extra for canine guests. Policies vary a bit from hotel to hotel, but in general, you can expect Fido to be welcomed with a soft bed, food and water bowls, tasty treats and clean-up bags. We at DogTrekker.com are such JDV fans that we’ve teamed up with the brand’s Hotel Rex, a Union Square property that takes its inspiration from literary salons of the 1920s and ‘30s, to offer a two-night “DogCation” for one (or two!) lucky dogs and their humans. Sign up here for a chance to win! Read more.

The America’s Cup sailing showdown comes to San Francisco this summer and fall, and there’s no reason you and your four-legged friend can’t share the excitement sure to be generated by those high-tech yachts hydroplaning around the bay. They’ll be visible from many vantage points; if you can see the bay, you can watch the races live (although you’ll get better interpretation on TV). Crissy Field, one of San Francisco’s most cherished dog-friendly places, may be inundated by crowds for a few hours on race days, but the rest of the time, Fido can romp off-leash along designated areas of the shoreline. Read more.