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Beaches

Beaches Blog

Here are our favorite stories about the best dog-friendly beaches in California! Whether you’re a local or visiting from afar, we’ve got you covered with the most paw-some spots for your furry friends to enjoy some sand and surf. Check out our list below and get ready for some tail-wagging adventures!

Beachcomber Motel balcony chairs facing ocean

A family story 50 years in the making

Every great dog-friendly hotel has a story, but the Beachcomber Hotel Group’s might be the most charming one on the Mendocino Coast.

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Dogs at Beachcomber Motel dog park

The Beachcomber Hotel Group dog-friendly hotel line-up

The flagship, perched directly on the bluff above MacKerricher State Park, the Beachcomber puts 10 miles of dog-walkable beach and the Coastal Trail right out the back door.

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Maya near the bluffs in Fort Bragg. Dave Kendrick photo.

Top 10 dog-friendly activities in and around Fort Bragg

The city of Fort Bragg released its top 10 dog-friendly activities list, and it's a great starting point for planning a coastal trip with your dog. Ten picks from Glass Beach and MacKerricher State Park to Pomo Bluffs, the Skunk…

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Beachcomber Collection

The Beachcomber family welcomes you and your dog

A family-run hospitality group we’ve long admired recently expanded their Fort Bragg pawprint. Siblings Bob Hunt and Pam Amante—the team behind the dog-friendly Beachcomber Motel, Surf & Sand Lodge, and Beach House Inn—added The Wharf Restaurant and Anchor Lodge to…

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Dogs surfing

Fetch sun and sea on the San Francisco Peninsula

Home to 60+ miles of Pacific coastline and 30 miles of San Francisco Bay shores, The San Francisco Peninsula puts beach adventures in easy reach. Conveniently located between Silicon Valley and the City by the Bay, this pup-focused destination features…

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Kayla and her big ball. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

Splash hits: Summer delights for water-loving dogs

The dog days of summer are here! Got a pup who loves the water? California's rivers, lakes and coastal landscapes welcome four-legged family members with paw-some adventures.

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Catch A Canoe dog on outrigger

Rove the rivers and coastline of magical Mendocino

Few places cater to water-loving canines like Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too. A perennial DogTrekker favorite, this Mendocino coast mainstay runs guided tours and rents dog-friendly watersports equipment on the Stanford Inn grounds. Innkeepers Joan and Jeff Stanford have…

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Dog in water at Big Bear Lake

Dive into summer at Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake boasts 300 days of sunshine and dark nights perfect for stargazing, but that's just the start. This mountain jewel in the San Bernardino National Forest also has great fishing, boating and water activities, hiking and biking trails…

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SFP May header

Explore The San Francisco Peninsula – paws welcome!

Welcome to the San Francisco Peninsula — where family-friendly travel includes your four-legged companions. From scenic hiking trails and dog-friendly beaches to charming, walkable downtowns, The Peninsula makes it easy to create memorable experiences with your pet by your side.

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Sweenery Ridge With Dogs

Enjoy the outdoors – parks, trails, beaches and more

Exercise and social time are important for you and your pet to stay happy and healthy — The Peninsula makes it easy! With everything from off-leash parks to scenic coastal trails, there’s no shortage of great places to explore together…

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Image from Little jo's Yosemite adventure on DogTrekker

Little jo’s Yosemite adventure

It was one of those "Yahoo" moments that I found out the way to bring my little Jo to Yosemite. It was rewarding being in Yosemite with my fur baby overlooking Half Dome.

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Convict Lake, a dog-friendly hiking trail in Mammoth Lakes, California

The ultimate doggie treat: A Mammoth Lakes adventure

Mammoth Lakes is pure dog paradise, from the sandy shores of Horseshoe Lake to scenic trails through lodgepole pine forests. Pack up the dog bowl and treat your pup to the ultimate Eastern Sierra adventure.

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Cascade Falls, Lake Tahoe. Previous context entry by Mike Fontenot .

Enter the DogTrekker California photo contest and capture stunning shots of your dog

DogTrekker's California Photo Contest invites you to photograph your dog at the state's most scenic spots. From Big Sur cliffs and Yosemite trails to San Francisco landmarks, here are top locations for stunning pup portraits. Are you a proud dog…

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Pup enjoying Tenaya Lodge.

A guide to pet-friendly Autumn lodging in Yosemite Mariposa

Yosemite Mariposa County is packed with pet-friendly lodging, from luxury tents at AutoCamp to rustic cabins near the park. Leashed dogs can enjoy paved trails, campgrounds and the B.A.R.K. Ranger program.

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Pismo Cr trail — Google Places photo

Your dog-friendly guide to California’s Central Coast this spring

California’s Central Coast is one of those places that seems tailor-made for a dog-friendly getaway — and spring might be the best time to go. The crowds thin out between winter storms and summer vacation season, wildflowers blanket the coastal…

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Two women with dogs sit at a patio table with wine glasses; PawSport Napa Valley logo appears on an orange background to the left.

New for you: DogTrekker’s ulti-mutt spring event guide

Spring brings a packed calendar of dog-friendly events across California, from fun runs and beach festivals to wine tastings and costume parades. Many raise funds for animal welfare organizations, so you and your pup can play while making a positive…

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Image from What happens when you plan a California coast trip around your dog on DogTrekker

Planning a California coast trip around your dog

Planning a California coast trip around your dog isn't a compromise. From off-leash sand at Huntington Dog Beach to boutique inns in Mendocino, the Golden State's shoreline rewards travelers who bring their four-legged companions along for the ride.

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Ollie and Heidi at Lake Tahoe.

Ruffin’ it in snowy Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe rolls out the red carpet for dogs in winter, with plowed walking trails along the lakeshore, cross-country ski centers that welcome pups, pet-friendly hotels and restaurants, and wide-open wilderness to explore on snowshoes or on foot.

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Sacha enjoying the water in Folsom Lake.

Have a dog-gone good time at Folsom Lake

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area welcomes dogs on trails and in most of its waters, just 25 miles from Sacramento. With 75 miles of shoreline, hiking paths, picnic areas, and campgrounds, it's a top day-trip destination.

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San francisco painted lady victorian with dogs all

San Francisco: The ultimate dog-friendly destination

San Francisco is basically Disneyland for dogs. With a rich canine history, off-leash beaches, dog-friendly bars, and famous four-legged residents past and present, the city by the bay has earned its reputation as the ultimate dog town.

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Image from Seven best dog beaches on the Northern California coast on DogTrekker

Seven best dog beaches on the Northern California coast

Northern California's coastline is packed with dog-friendly beaches worth visiting. From Baker Beach with its Golden Gate Bridge views to off-leash Carmel Beach and the sandy cliffs of Fort Funston, these spots are unforgettable.

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Image from Fort Bragg: affordable and uniquely dog-friendly on DogTrekker

Fort Bragg: Affordable and uniquely dog-friendly

Fort Bragg on the Mendocino coast is an affordable, standout destination for dog travelers. The Beachcomber Hotel Group's three properties offer welcome kits for pups, play areas, and easy access to Glass Beach, the Skunk Train, and coastal trails.

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Snow dog at Kiva Beach, Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe’s tail-waggin’ winter highlights 

Lake Tahoe in winter means plowed trails, snowshoeing with your dog, and even skijoring across snowy landscapes. With over 20 miles of cleared paths and pet-friendly lodges from Truckee to South Lake Tahoe, cold-weather fun comes easy here.

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Image from Tahoe snow play and stay: dog-friendly hotels in Lake Tahoe on DogTrekker

Tahoe snow play and stay: dog-friendly hotels

Lake Tahoe has dog-friendly lodging for every budget, from the Ritz-Carlton to cozy B&B cottages on the West Shore. In winter, enjoy plowed walking trails, cross-country skiing, and heated patio dining in Truckee before cozying up by a fireplace.

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