Kissing the Santa Cruz coast

Follow the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) along the Santa Cruz County coastline, and you’ll be tempted by 29 miles of beaches (15 of them dog-friendly) along the way. Only one, Mitchell’s Cove, is legally leash-free, and then only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. But no worries: there are plenty of other strands to explore provided you keep a tether stretched between you.  Read more.

Dog-friendly waterfall hikes in our national parks

Whiskeytown Falls.

We can’t gush enough about the dog-friendly waterfall hikes and photo opportunities waiting for you  Read more.

Tails from the archives

Last year’s Dog-friendly Surf City USA issue covered a lot of ground and sand in the story Every Walk in Surf City is Special, highlighting famous Huntington Dog Beach, Central Park and the Brightwater Trail that offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Chow for Your Chow provides an insider's look at dining options your pup will savor in the city and Pawesome Places to Spoil Your   Read more.

Surf City Usa, gateway to the OC

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Huntington Beach with your pooch, you might be inclined to get comfortable and not leave the city. After all, when it comes to pup-friendly restaurants, services and a dazzling Dog Beach, Surf City has you spoiled. But try not to get lulled into the local beach vibe too much. Orange County has plenty more for you and your four-legged friend to explore. H  Read more.

The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel

Love life by the beach with The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel’s new stylish oceanfront suites. The spacious suites feature a private furnished balcony overlooking the beach and ocean, and include an impressive amenities package unique to The Twin Dolphin Tower. The Huntington Beach suites in The Twin Dolphin Tower also include pet-friendly accommodations and a range of h  Read more.

Noyo Harbor Inn, Fort Bragg

Photo by Noyo Harbor Inn.

Fresh from a six-year, $1.6 million renovation, the Noyo Harbor Inn, a 15-room, craftsman-style B&B, accents its more than century-old heritage with refreshed décor complimenting its historic character. Set on a bluff above the Noyo River, it offers easy access to the river, harbor, off-leash beach, walking trails and gardens.  Read more.

Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach

Just steps from the beach and the famous pier in “Surf City USA,” the 250 room Paséa Hotel & Spa, part of the prestigious Meritage Collection, features bright coastal décor, dog-friendly outdoor tables for dining and quick access to all the places you want to visit with your pooch.  Read more.

New dog-friendly hotels in California

DogTrekker.com would like to thank all DogTrekkers who contributed to our 2018 reader survey. You let us know that one of the topics you’d most like us to address this year is “new dog-friendly hotels.” Our team has sniffed out the newest in just-opened and just-renovated lodging properties throughout California, both luxury and moderately priced. … Continued  Read more.

Baker Botts

From Chris Carr, Baker Botts, lead attorney in the fight to get the federal government to release documents under the Freedom of Information Act:  Read more.

San Francisco county’s GGNRA bounty

In San Francisco, GGNRA lands wrap the shoreline almost all the way from Fort Mason in the north to Fort Funston in the south, with a few breaks along the way. Dogs and their people can enjoy miles-long leashed walks with ocean views and, at a few places, unclip their canine companions to chase the surf and run free.  Read more.

Make it Marin for dog-friendly GGNRA trails/beaches

Julian Trail in the Marin Headlands. Photo by Jessica Bay.

More than 12,000 acres of the GGNRA are concentrated in the Marin Headlands, a hilly peninsula just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.  Read more.

GGNRA dog-walking saga: The backstory

With Bay Area populations growing and Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) lands being ever more heavily used, the National Park Service (NPS) in 2001, under the guise that dogs were harming wildlife and the environment, first moved to severely reduce the areas where four-legged companions would be allowed, both on-leash and off. Existing rules defining dog-friendly trails and beaches h  Read more.

Sip and stroll in Santa Barbara County

When the weather outside is frightful, the dog-friendly welcome in Santa Barbara County is still delightful. If it’s not a beach day, make it a wine day – and maybe an urban wine day, at that. Start, perhaps, in the Santa Ynez Valley enclave of Solvang, that one-of-a-kind village, founded as a Danish colony, that through architecture, bakeries, restaurants and merchants offers a taste   Read more.

Where to Cruz with your pup

If you don’t live in Santa Cruz County, you probably know this gorgeous stretch of the California coast for its beaches, its stellar university and the namesake town that proudly embraces its somewhat eccentric reputation. But Santa Cruz County is also known for its mountains, its redwood forests and its wines, particularly the pinot noir and chardonnay that thrive in the fog-kissed climate.  Read more.

Tails wag on Big Sur Coast

Big Sur. Photo by Lisha Riabinina.

Take a drive on the scenic California Coast to Big Sur, pulling over at beaches, redwood forests and fun dog-friendly stops that are sure to please both two and four-leggers.  Read more.

Take time to coast

Mendocino County is mostly rural, and its extensive patchwork of public lands encompasses everything from national forests and state parks to dog-friendly preserves administered by the Bureau of Land Management. If you and your well behaved, always-comes-when-called pup prefer to wander together without being tied by a leash, head to Stornetta Public Lands, a 1,665-acre coastal haven near Point Ar  Read more.

Paws for an overnight break in Mendocino County

The summer crowds are gone, cool weather has set in and Mendocino County lodging properties are tempting visitors with low-season specials.  Read more.

Dogcation adventures at the Stanford Inn and beyond

DogCation winner Jolene C. recently wrote in to let us know about her adventures in Mendocino County with her daughter and two pups at the Stanford Inn by the Sea and beyond.  Read more.

Go boho on the Bohemian Highway

It’s just 10 miles long, but oh, what a sweet 10 miles. The Bohemian Highway, named for the artists and other alternative-lifestyle folks who settled the area after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake (and kept coming, especially in the 1960s), is a scenic and pastoral two-lane byway anchored by artist-filled communities, organic farms and wineries, one-of-a-kind shops, innovative restaurants   Read more.

You can bet your Bodega on this

Something special rolls around every fall in Sonoma County: Dungeness crab season, which starts in November and continues through spring. What, you’ve never gone crabbing with your dog? Most crabs are caught from piers where canines are banned, but one place you can both enjoy stalking crustaceans is the breakwater jetty at dog-friendly (leash and license required) Doran Regional Park near B  Read more.

Redwoods, rivers, Rover and you

The redwood-hugged Russian River is the best-known stream rolling through Sonoma County, but it’s not the only one. Up north, the Gualala River, on the border with Mendocino County, enters the Pacific near the town of Gualala, which makes a peaceful, fresh-air base for a low-key getaway. Late fall through early spring is when gray whales and humpbacks migrate along the Sonoma coast, and wha  Read more.

Buoy at the beach

We love this gorgeous photo of Buoy hanging out along the Pacific Ocean in Half Moon Bay sent to us by Dr. Erin Troy of Muller Veterinary Hospital in Walnut Creek.  Read more.

Traveling with a dog in Huntington Beach California

By Lauren Lloyd Voted as one of California’s dog-friendliest cities, Surf City USA welcomes four-legged kids with open arms at restaurants, parks, and hotels, along its paved beach path, and even dedicates a stretch of beach to salty pups. We don’t want you to leave your best friend at home any more than you do, so here’s a helpful guide to exploring town with your canine comp  Read more.

Riding through the redwoods

After a recent move from Illinois to California, Diana and her pups set out to explore dog-friendly California. She shared one of their California adventures with us:  Read more.

Breed restrictions are the pits

It can be a challenge to find dog-friendly accommodations when traveling with large dogs. It is common to discover that so-called dog-friendly hotels have pet policies with size restrictions, allowing small to medium sized dogs only. To make matters worse for some dog owners, many hotels add breed restrictions to their pet policy; no pit … Continued  Read more.

Ocean day for Riggs

DogTrekker.com reader Michelle M. wrote in to tell us about her dog-friendly adventures along the Mendocino Coast:  Read more.

Monterey County parks

Carmel Beach. Photo by Jaime Perez (CC).

Dog-lovers from around the world know leash-free Carmel Beach as a primo place to visit with dogs. But that’s hardly the only place in Monterey County where your untethered dog can have as much fun and freedom as you do. A number of county parks, as well as several within the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, allow dogs to accompany you off-leash away from developed areas so long as  Read more.

Urban rambles in San Francisco

Photo by jefffielding (CC).

An abundance of open space available to canines makes the City by the Bay especially enticing to four-legged visitors with humans on the other end of the leash.  Read more.

The new CA Coastal Region debuts

There’s nothing like the sight and sound of the sea to perk up a dog’s ears and set her tail to wagging—and California’s 840 miles of coastline offer plenty of fun for pups and their people. Don’t know where to go? DogTrekker.com has identified almost 200 dog-friendly beaches between Del Norte County in the north and San Diego County in the south.  Read more.

If everybody had a surf dog…

You’re sure to have a Beach Boys sound track playing in your head as you and your pup cavort on aptly named Dog Beach, the leash-free segment of 3.5-mile-long Huntington Beach, centerpiece of the city of the same name (also known as Surf City USA). Surf culture rules in this SoCal mecca for more than 8 million annual visitors—and sometimes, especially during the annual Surf City Surf D  Read more.

Sensory overload in Sonoma County

You’ll forget all about work, worries and traffic woes once you get within sight and sound of the sea. And in Sonoma County, there are dozens of places where you and your pup can splash to your hearts’ content and then bed down to the ceaseless whooshing of the restless Pacific.  Read more.

Hugging the coast in Santa Cruz County

You’re never far from the water when following the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) through Santa Cruz County. The curvy coastline is studded with 29 miles of beaches providing lots of options for DogTrekkers. Fifteen strands are dog-friendly, and one, Mitchell’s Cove, is legally leash-free during daylight hours before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.  Read more.

Beach it in Mendocino County

Photo by www.blakefloydgardner.com

Whether you drive all or just some of the 102 intoxicating miles of Highway 1 hugging the Mendocino County shore, you’re sure to find many places to pull over and get some sand between Bella’s toes. Take it at a snail’s pace, but be sure to check out these highlights.  Read more.

Second stop: Highway 50, Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe

Of the two primary ways to get to Lake Tahoe from Sacramento (Interstate 80 or Highway 50), 50 is by far the more scenic.  Read more.

Third stop: South Lake Tahoe to Truckee

Tallac Historic Site. Photo by Chris Mansker.

Highway 89 along Tahoe’s West Shore is a treat for the senses on many levels. It takes about an hour in non-traffic conditions to drive straight through, but why would you want to do that? Your first worthwhile diversion, especially if you’re a Tahoe first-timer, is Tallac Historic Site, a collection of late 19th-century estate homes and outbuildings.  Read more.

Surf City USA with your dog

Photo by Kojirou Sasaki.

Voted one of California's dog-friendliest cities, Huntington Beach welcomes four-legged children with open arms at restaurants, parks, and hotels; along its paved beach path; and even dedicates a stretch of beach to salty pups.  Read more.

Make tracks to Tahoe

Tallac Historic Site. Photo by Chris Mansker.

For on-water fun, try renting a large cockpit kayak from Tahoe City Kayak and taking a paddle with your pup along the North Shore.  Read more.

Down a lazy river with rover

Ever skipped an otherwise great outing because your dog couldn’t come along? We all have—and sometimes, it’s because we just didn’t know our options. Here’s one that should be on every DogTrekker’s bucket list: floating with your pup on the Russian River in an inflatable canoe specifically designed to accommodate canines. Russian River Adventures outfits this a  Read more.

Best beds for heads and paws

More than 50 pet-friendly lodgings—something for every style and budget—are sprinkled across the Santa Cruz County landscape. They run the gamut from camping cabins to luxury inns to vacation rentals where you can spread out like at home. If you’re up for a splurge, the AAA Four-Diamond Chaminade Resort & Spa, a woodsy, 156-room boutique retreat fresh from a $7.9 million make  Read more.

Catch a wave

Whatever your motivation for coming to Santa Cruz County, sooner or later you and your pup will want to chase some waves and get some sand between your toes. With 29 miles of coastline, there are lots of places to go, including 15 strands that welcome leashed dogs and one, Mitchell’s Cove, that is legally leash-free before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.  Read more.

Sniff out some new places

Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Photo by Jeremy Bishop.

Every time we visit, Santa Cruz County gets more and more dog-friendly. And this year there are several new opportunities to bark about.  Read more.

Big Sur alert

Last fall’s fires, combined with harsh winter storms, were not kind to the popular state parks along Highway 1 in the Big Sur region. Much of this scenic slice of coastline remains inaccessible due to unstable hillsides and destruction of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge (about half a mile south of Big Sur Station), which has been demolished and is being rebuilt. It won’t reopen until fall a  Read more.

Exceptions to California State Parks rules

MacKerricher State Park. Photo by Don Kawahigashi.

Most California State Parks restrict canine companions to campgrounds, day-use picnic areas and paved roads, but we’ve found a trio that allow four-paw venturing on dirt trails.  Read more.

Off-leash romp at Rodeo Beach

DogTrekker.com reader Linda Cox shared this picture with us of her dog Zeke enjoying some off leash time at Rodeo Beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Marin County.  Read more.

The lowdown on dog-friendly public lands

Dogs are welcome at 90 percent of California campgrounds—it’s the rare one indeed that doesn’t allow four-legged family members. But before you put your credit card down, you’ll want to find out where, outside of developed campsites, Bonnie and Bodie are allowed to hike and hang out.  Read more.

Bay area german shepherd rescue 2017

Meet the lovely Rex, the perfect companion for your DogTreks and family outings. He's a big, happy guy, who gets along great with people, dogs…and cats too! He's your guy for fetch, hikes, beach trips, and beyond. When it's time to chill at home, his house manners are excellent, and he sleeps all night in his crate. This three-year-old German shepherd dog is currently enjoying   Read more.

Pawesome places to spoil your pup

Huntington Beach has incredible pet-friendly hotels, scenic places to take your pooch and a host of great restaurants for you and your beloved four-legged friends to eat. But what about spoiling your pup even more? Huntington Beach boasts many special places for treats, toys and grooming — everything your dog deserves, especially on vacation. These are four of Marilyn’s favorite places  Read more.

Waggin’ trails 2017

Landing in a shelter is rarely a good thing if you're a dog. If you're in an overcrowded California rural shelter with no resources and less foot traffic, your prospects are pretty bleak. Luckily, though, there's help on the way from Waggin' Trails Rescue, which works with many partner rescues to get these overlooked dogs safely into foster care and address any medical issues that  Read more.

Every walk in Surf City is special

Photo by Visit Huntington Beach.

The Dog Beach here in Surf City has become famous throughout Southern California. More than a mile of undeveloped beach along one of the prettiest stretches of the coast  Read more.

Chow for your chow chow (or any other breed)

Living in Huntington Beach, we’re spoiled with beautiful scenery and often perfect weather. Our canine friends are also spoiled, especially when it comes to dining options. Me and my girl Marilyn have enjoyed more than a few doggy dates around town.  Read more.

Hb collection: Dog-passionate hotels

Where to stay? Is it really possible to find a beautiful place near the beach for you and your pooch? In Surf City USA, absolutely. For years, many hotels in Huntington Beach have been on the leading edge of dog-friendly accommodations. Though Marilyn and I have not opted for a staycation yet, I can’t say we're not tempted. And the good news is, in most cases, we’d be staying right  Read more.

Central coasting in winter

The California coast is nothing if not moody in late winter and early spring. Calm, crystal-clear days are interspersed with blustery gray ones, so it’s best to prepare for all possibilities. DogTrekkers who prefer cabin or cottage accommodations to standard hotels and motels will find a staggering selection of dog-friendly options along the Central Coast.  Read more.

Beach day for Wilbur and Walter

Photo Credit: Gwen Khoury Wilbur and Walter recently visited Cayucos State Beach, known for its fishing pier, beautiful beach and historical buildings.  Read more.

Little River with my little buddy

Photo by Kristina B.

Kristina B. remembers a wonderful stay at the Cottages at Little River Cove with her best buddy.  Read more.

Dog-friendly lodging for you and yours

Photo by Beachcomber Motel.

Mendocino County is big and diverse, but there’s something extra-soothing about making base camp within sight or sound of the sea. Settle into a king pet suite at the Beachcomber Motel & Spa in Fort Bragg, and both you and your four-legged loved one will enjoy direct access to the fenced, off-leash dog park right outside. Two suites have doggie doors opening onto gated outdoor kennels, and a  Read more.

Bruno’s first trip to Carmel Beach

Bruno at Carmel Beach. Photo Credit: Paula B. DogTrekker.com reader Paula B. sent in this great photo of her dog Bruno enjoying his first trip to Carmel Beach.  Read more.

Pet sounds of the OC

Even in November and December, you’ll find yourself humming a Beach Boys tune as you stroll the sands of aptly named Dog Beach, a leash-free segment of a longer strand in Huntington Beach, aka “Surf City USA.” You’ll find a flip-flop casual welcome almost anywhere you go in this quintessential Orange County beach town just 35 miles south of Los Angeles on the Pacific C  Read more.

San Diego bound

Lily Pond at Balboa Park, San Diego.

In San Diego County, it’s a dog life when it comes to hiking, beaching, dining and sharing a hotel room with your pup.  Read more.

Set the scene in Santa Cruz County

Wilder keeping it super cool in Santa Cruz. Photo by Celeste Cesena.

Just a short hop south of the Bay Area, Santa Cruz County is diverse and exceedingly dog-friendly.  Read more.

Fall trekking in the SLO lane

Photo by bennilover.

San Luis Obispo County encompasses just about everything California is known for, from mountains to ocean to wine country to laid-back vibe. Luis Obispo County encompasses just about everything California is known for, from mountains to ocean to wine country to laid-back vibe. Sure, you can shoot down from the Bay Area on Interstate 5 and Highway 46, but it’s much more rewarding to take the slo  Read more.

Whiskeytown calls

Haven’t figured out how to use those unused vacation days? We have just the perfect destination. Redding, the last major city on Interstate 5 as you near Mt. Shasta, is the undisputed Trail Capital of California with over 225 miles of trails within 15 miles of its city center. Redding is also the gateway to the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Few areas managed by the National Park Ser  Read more.

The National Forest/BLM advantage

State parks and national parks are notoriously unaccommodating when it comes to dogs. With few exceptions, four-paw visitors aren’t allowed outside developed campgrounds or off of paved roads and paths. But on public lands administered by the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, as well as some tracts overseen by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, your pup is welco  Read more.

Leash-free sand and sea

The hands-down, No. 1 place to play in waves and sand in California is Carmel Beach, a powder-white, city-managed, mile-long strand on the outskirts of Carmel-by-the Sea, the chic vacation village on the Monterey Peninsula. DogTrekkers come from around the country to share their good fortune here. A trio of tips:  Read more.

Hideaways by the sea

There’s nothing like the non-stop sigh of the sea to instill a meditative state of mind. And in Sonoma County, there are dozens of places where you and your pup can bed down to the sound and sight of the restless Pacific. Closest to the Bay Area is Bodega Bay, just an hour and a half north of San Francisco.  Read more.

Hiking hills and headlands

Tolay Lake Regional Park. Photo by Harminder Dhesi.

Every good bird deserves watching at Bodega Bay, and the 1.2-mile Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail is a great venue for walking your dog while sharpening your identification skills.  Read more.

Cruise control in Santa Cruz wine country

The Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, known primarily for producing pinot noir and chardonnay, is one of the oldest in the state. Close to 100 wineries and tasting rooms are sprinkled in nooks and crannies throughout Santa Cruz County, and dogs are welcome at many of them. DogTrekker.com has created a designated wine trail as you drive in on Highway 1 from the north.  Read more.

Paws to the Redding paths

Whether you go all out for a strenuous hike or prefer a walk on the mild side, there’s no shortage of DogTrekking options in a region blanketed by national forests and other public lands.  Read more.

Paradise for water dogs

DogTrekker.com reader Jan N. alerted us to a secluded public dog-friendly beach that she and her dog Angel discovered on the way home from a camping trip to Lake Tahoe.  Read more.

Leash up for a fall trip to Mendocino

Photo Credit: Berklee Akutagawa.

If peace, quiet and scenery are your vacation priorities, you’ll find plenty of all three in big, diverse Mendocino County—especially in September and October, when you’re likely to experience the best weather conditions of the year. For the ultimate in privacy, try a vacation rental like Redwood Majic, a two-bedroom home with fenced yard tucked deep into the forest just a mile from Mendocin  Read more.

Ah, September: Tahoe without the crowds

Tahoma Meadows Cottages.

After Labor Day, tourist crowds vanish from Lake Tahoe and locals take a breather. DogTrekking visitors can take a deep breath, too, with easy-to-get reservations at pet-friendly properties.  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.

Gotta lake it

Summertime and the livin’ is easy…as long as you’re on a lake. Heading up to Gold Country, you’ll find lots of places to dip your paws no matter which road you take. Here are some of our favorite splash spots in the Sierra foothills.  Read more.

Take a walk on the wave side

DogTrekkers who live inland know they’re never far from Sweatshirt Land. So when the mercury climbs, those in the know leash up their pups and head for the coast, making base camp in unhurried towns like Benicia, Pacifica, Point Reyes Station (gateway to the national seashore) or Half Moon Bay, all of which are well appointed with hiking trails. Our most recent weekend away was to   Read more.

Dogs ride and hike free at Palisades Tahoe

Photo by Ciel.

Lake Tahoe is at its glorious best in summer, but you have to be a very early riser to get a parking spot at a dog-friendly beach on weekends. Our advice: Sleep in, then head for High Camp, the high-altitude recreation complex at Palisades Tahoe, where a pool, hot tub, roller rink, limitless hiking options and plenty of free parking await.  Read more.

Kayla, Director of Barketing Emeritus

DogTrekker.com wouldn’t be here without Kayla, our “research Lab,” director of barketing and chief operating dog since the website was launched in 2011. But yes, our primary inspiration has left us and is now at the Rainbow Bridge with all the four-legged buddies who left before her. Kayla and Lola at Lake Lagunitas, Marin County Kayla is no longer in pain and can once again r  Read more.

More wet ways to play

Photo by @thatstokedgolden

Stand-Up Paddleboarding, SUP for short, is an emerging sport with Hawaiian heritage that’s caught on big all up and down California. The newest craze: teaching dogs to hitch a ride. A great way for both of you to learn is with SUP PUPS, operating out of Waterman’s Landing Beach Café at Lake Tahoe.  Read more.

Tahoe under paws: Lake Tahoe dog beaches

Lake Tahoe —aka “Big Blue—is Northern California’s favorite summer playground, but to enjoy it to the fullest with your B4LF (best four-legged friend), you’ll need to do your homework before heading up the hill.  Read more.

Off-leash beaches for chasing waves

For water-loving canines, nothing beats fetching a bright yellow tennis ball from the surf and romping full speed ahead on a sandy beach. But while there’s plenty of sand to share with your leashed pup along California’s 840 miles of coastline, you should know before you go where dogs are and aren’t allowed to run off-leash. Here are a few of our favorite off-leash beaches.  Read more.

DogTrekker applause!

Photo Credit: Melanie B. Melanie B. wrote in to let us know that she discovered dog-friendly Chimney Beach while on a trip to Tahoe thanks to DogTrekker. She and her four-legged best friend had a pawsome time!  Read more.

Have dog, will travel to santa cruz

Have dog, will travel. And you know a great place that you and your four-legged friend will love? Santa Cruz! From dog-friendly beaches and redwood hikes to restaurants and resorts, Santa Cruz County has a ton to offer for people and their pets. Find out more about the best places to visit in Santa Cruz County with your pooch!  Read more.

Waggin’ trails rescue foundation

Location, location, location. If you're a shelter dog, it can make the difference between life and death. Especially in overcrowded, underfunded shelters in remote areas, conditions are often poor (like no protection from the elements) and your prospects of getting out safely even worse, because would-be adopters never go there. Enter Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation and its volunteers de  Read more.

Top paw-tested campgrounds

We don’t claim to be personally familiar with every campground in California, but our experiences at these dog-friendly sites have been pawsitive enough to keep us coming back again and again.  Read more.

Rules and regs regarding rover

Camp life can be very exciting for a dog, so long as she doesn’t eat too many marshmallows. Dogs are welcome at 90 percent of California campgrounds—it’s the rare one indeed that doesn’t allow pooches. But before you put your credit card down, you’ll want to find out where, outside of developed campsites, Daisy is allowed to accompany you.  Read more.

No tent or rv? no problem…

Don’t run out to buy a tent if you don’t know that you’ll enjoy camping and take it up as a regular pastime. Novices who don’t own a full kit of gear can still treat their gang (dog included) to a “soft camping” family adventure. Here are five suggestions for easing your way—sans tent—into America’s favorite summer pastime:  Read more.

Running the russian river with rover

Russian River Adventures has kicked off its 2016 season of dog-friendly float trips out of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. With plenty of water this year to navigate the secluded, 9-mile stretch from town to Wohler Bridge, the entire family can enjoy the Russian River with your pup serving as first mate.  Read more.

Inland bounty in Monterey County

Anyone who’s visited Monterey County with a dog knows about that glorious off-leash beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea. But that's not the only place you can unclip Spot and Sassy and let them run free so long as they stay within sight and under voice control. Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley has miles of trails to roam, a river and tributary creek with swimming holes to splash in, a  Read more.

Slo trekking with your dog

San Luis Obispo coast. Photo by Visit California.

San Luis Obispo, the Central Coast college town about 12 miles inland from the Pacific shore, is a great jumping-off place for DogTrekkers.  Read more.

A fine find in gold country

Photo by Jessica Bay.

The Sierra Nevada foothills, with their quaint, Gold Rush-era towns and growing portfolio of wineries, are a joy to explore with a four-legged companion.  Read more.

Impact: Marin County

The most troubling impacts of the ill-conceived Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s dog management plan will be felt in Marin County, where historic access to trails and beaches will be drastically reduced or cut off completely for thousands of pet owners. Residents of several communities in Marin will no longer be able to walk their dogs on trails in their own neighborhoods and will ins  Read more.

Fetching fun along the coast

Matilda at Pismo Beach, CA. Photo Credit: Steve Fargie Steve F. sent in this fantastic action shot of Matilda the mini Aussie making a great catch while enjoying a game of fetch along the coast of Pismo Beach.  Read more.

Impact: San Francisco county

If the National Park Service’s proposed dog rule goes through, it will constitute the largest single reduction in recreational access for people in the history of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  Read more.

Join the mighty mutt march!

Join dog and recreation lovers from throughout the Bay Area on April 23 for a march and rally to save dog walking in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. At this 11th hour, we need to show up in force to protect our access to the places we love: Crissy Field, Fort Funston, Marin Headlands, Rancho Corral de Tierra, Ocean Beach, Muir Beach and others.  Read more.

Diesel & oliver’s seaside adventure

Diesel and Oliver's parents, Ashley and Chris P. were the lucky winners of our Nick's Cove 2015 DogCation. The whole family got to enjoy a wonderful seaside adventure along Tomales Bay.  Read more.

Beach bliss at South Lake Tahoe

Looking to spend some quality beach time with your four-legged pal at Lake Tahoe's South Shore? We've scouted out the spots where Sparky is welcome to romp in the sand and dip his paws in the Big Blue.  Read more.

Share your local dog-friendly places

Did you know that you can share your on-the-go experiences with DogTrekker.com? Our Paw-Tested section has dozens of stories and photos of things to do in your area and beyond. Whether it’s a new dog park, dog-friendly restaurant, craft brewery, beach, hike or event, DogTrekkers are always on the lookout for new fun tips on where to go and what to do with their dogs. Inspire all of us with y  Read more.

Cut loose in del mar

If Southern California is on your travel schedule and you’re up for a seaside splurge, look no farther than L’Auberge Del Mar, a AAA Four Diamond property where every detail for both you and your dog is impeccably handled from the moment you check in.  Read more.

Winter coasting

Dixie and Lili at Limantour Beach. Photo Credit: Chelsie Lesinski Something about salt air is both invigorating and intoxicating, especially to those who don’t visit the coast very often. Hibernate in a waterfront cabin at Nick’s Cove on Tomales Bay, and you may only emerge to go for a walk or pause at a patio restaurant table to fill up on an order of oysters with a side of crab  Read more.

Free to run

Coastal run. Photo Credit: Marcella W. Marcella W. wrote in to tell us about a good day spent with her dogs in the Marin Headlands: "We love finding great beach spots where our pups can run free! Loved making new friends at Marin Headlands. It was a bit cold for our little cocker spaniel but the flat-coated retriever loved it!"  Read more.

Scenic drive

The view Yes, Seventeen-Mile-Drive is a tourist attraction, but if you make a day of it, you’ll find the $10 entry fee a small price to pay for soaking up some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.  Read more.

Run and play

Dogs on Carmel Beach. Photo Credit: Jen For probably nine out of 10 DogTrekkers, the No. 1 attraction in Carmel is mile-long, leash-free, powder-white Carmel Beach, where you and yours can run, play and splash to your hearts’ content right below the ninth hole of the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links.  Read more.

Kayla at the Little River Inn

Kayla at the Little River Inn Kayla loves the Little River Inn for so many reasons. The staff is always so welcoming, she can take a short path from the property to play and swim at the Van Damme State Park beach, she can dine with her best friends in the Little River Inn Restaurant's 'Parlor', she can get up on the comfortable beds using the protective sheets that are provided and so  Read more.

Paw-tested: rip van winkle open space

Photo Credit: Anu S. Anu S. wrote in to tell us about her wonderful experience with her dogs at Rip Van Winkle Open Space, a small open space dog area bordering Pebble Beach in Monterey County:  Read more.

Chill out in Fort Bragg

Dog on Glass Beach, Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg is the “big city” on the Mendocino Coast with 7,500 full-time human residents, many of whose households also count our-legged family members.  Read more.

Minimize driving, maximize scenery

It’s just 17 miles along scenic Highway 1 from the coastal village of Albion to the more muscular city of Fort Bragg, but considering how much lies in between, you could take an entire, leisurely week to go the distance.  Read more.

It takes a (dog-friendly) village

Rio at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse station. Photo by Sueanne.

Just north of Little River, picturesque Mendocino village, with its wealth of lacy Victorians and colorful saltbox cottages, has more places than you can shake a tennis ball at to enjoy with your four-legged friend.  Read more.

Pet expo la: all about animals to love

Leave it to Los Angeles to do everything in a big way. That’s what’s promised at Winter Wonderland Pet Expo, Dec. 12-13 at the LA Convention Center. The event's dozens of exhibitors include rescue groups sponsoring mega-adopathons, plus vendors showcasing the latest and greatest pet products.  Read more.

San diego’s gaslamp holiday pet parade

Photo courtesy: Gaslamp Quarter Bring your own best friend or get a grin out of others unleashing their creativity in a Dec. 13 pet parade through the streets of San Diego’s picturesque Gaslamp district.  Read more.

Los osos christmas parade

When it comes to holiday spectacles, the Dec. 12 Los Osos Christmas Parade in San Luis Obispo County is one not to miss. This year’s theme: Christmas Safari. Participants are encouraged to decorate and costume their cars, floats and dogs to creatively reflect the theme. Awards include Best of Animal honors.  Read more.

Dreyfus discovers Tahoe

Hope and Dreyfus at Emerald Bay Hope S. and her dog Dreyfus take a mini vacation to Lake Tahoe and write in to tell us all about their dog-friendly adventures.  Read more.

Feast your eyes on something wet

Photo Credit: lostintheredwoods (CC) As the drought continues (come on, El Niño!), the mere sight of a sizeable body of water becomes ever more revered. And while Shasta Lake, the state’s largest reservoir, has shrunk to a shadow of its former self, nearby Whiskeytown Lake, centerpiece of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, is kept full almost to the brim. Boaters, kayakers and hik  Read more.

Soaking up scenery in San Diego

Mission Trails Regional Park. Photo by Christopher Lorenzo.

San Diego epitomizes the laid-back SoCal lifestyle—and it just happens to be one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country, to boot.  Read more.

Sonoma county regional parks with your pup

Hillside view in Santa Rosa. Photo by Megan O’Hanlon.

Sonoma County’s diverse network of regional parks is laced by more than 140 miles of trails leading to beaches, mountains, forests, lakes and meadows.  Read more.

Sniffing out dog-friendly trails in la

Eaton Canyon Natural Area. Photo by Ivan Mercado.

Los Angeles is lots more than jammed freeways, as anyone who’s taken time to explore its hilly terrain and beautiful beaches knows.  Read more.

Santa cruz: as much about wine as beaches

Photo credit: Richard Masoner/Cyclelicious (CC) For many visitors, Santa Cruz County is as much about wine as it is about beaches. The Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, known for a cool climate that produces superior pinot noir, is one of the oldest in the state. More than 70 wineries and tasting rooms are sprinkled through the county’s hills and towns, and dogs are welcome at dozens of them.   Read more.

Dog-passionate Santa Cruz County

DogTrekker.com would like to welcome Santa Cruz County Visitors Council as our latest Paw of Approval partner. As this issue makes clear, one of our favorite California beach towns is also a wine, waves, wilderness and woof™ paradise.  Read more.

Dogtrekkers go santa cruzin’

Wilder keeping it super cool in Santa Cruz. Photo by Celeste Cesena.

Santa Cruz County, located on California's Central Coast, 65 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles north of Monterey, is known for its sun-soaked beaches, famous Beach Boardwalk amusement park, redwoods, and eclectic community.  Read more.

Chasing surf with your dog in Santa Cruz County

Photo credit: lostintheredwoods (CC) Santa Cruz County’s curvy coastline is studded with some 29 miles of beaches providing lots of options for DogTrekkers. Fifteen strands are dog-friendly, and one, Mitchell’s Cove, is legally leash-free during daylight hours before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.  Read more.

Things to do with your dog in Santa Cruz County

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

When it comes to things to do with your dog in Santa Cruz County, there’s the obvious (beaches, wineries), and the not-so-obvious—like Byrne-Milliron Forest, a 400-acre Land Trust of Santa Cruz County property managed as a working forest and laced with dog-friendly trails (off-leash hiking for dogs with reliable recall is allowed).   Read more.

Hang your hat—and leash

Rio Del Mar State Beach. Photo Credit: Phil King (CC) Variety is the name of the game when it comes to dog-friendly lodging in Santa Cruz County. Many DogTrekkers appreciate the spread-out comfort and conveniences (including a kitchen) that come with a vacation rental home, dozens of which can be found in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos and other coastal communities. Those who’d rather be pampe  Read more.

Cuddle up with your pup

Photo Credit: smerikal (CC) Sonoma County has plenty of gorgeous scenery to share with your best friend, and plenty of places to make base camp if you’re able to spend the night or make a weekend of it.  Read more.

Make a splash on the sonoma shore

There’s something about fresh ocean air that makes a day at the coast restorative as well as memorable. Every good bird deserves watching at Bodega Bay, an hour and a half north of San Francisco. Photo: Steve Shupe.  Read more.

Canine influenza

Photo Credit: Yoel Ben-Avraham (CC) By Dr. Angela Gaeto, DVM, of the Helen Woodward Animal Center community in San Diego County. More than 1,000 dogs in the Chicago area have been diagnosed with a new strain of canine flu. While there are currently no California cases, the flu is very contagious and we may see cases across the country. The recent Chicago strain is new to the United States.   Read more.

Catalina adventure

One dog per passenger is permitted on the Catalina Express, provided they are crated or muzzled. Photo by Catalina Express.

Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California is a favorite day-trip and weekend destination, and many travelers are surprised to discover that the Catalina Express, serving the island from Long Beach, Dana Point and San Pedro, does allow dogs.  Read more.

Wilderness hiking in whiskeytown nra

If your travel plans have you traveling north this year (or if you haven’t figured out how to use those unused vacay days), we have just the perfect destination. Redding, the last major city on Interstate 5 as you near Mt. Shasta, is the undisputed Trail Capital of California with over 225 miles of trails within 15 miles of its city center.  Read more.

Diggin’ San Diego with your dog

In San Diego, it’s a dog’s life when it comes to hiking. Daisy can let loose on the beach or enjoy a quick, natural escape at nearby preserves like Mission Trails Regional Park, where 60 miles of canine-friendly trails spread over 6,800 acres beckon.   Read more.

Coastal cool-off in Monterey County

If it's coastal hiking that you are interested in, start in Monterey, where you can join the throngs of people and pups out for a stroll on the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, a paved, multi-use path that stretches 18 scenic miles from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south, hugging a route once used by the Southern Pacific Railway. The Pacific Grove section is a particular DogTrek  Read more.

Helen woodward animal center

Cabo DogTrekkers in the know already have San Diego's famous Dog Beach on their destination list. Now, if you time it right, you can add a new dimension to your water adventures with your best friend, because the SoCal Surf Dog Club is offering surfing and paddleboarding classes for dogs for five weekend days this summer.   Read more.

River running with rover

Lakes are great and beaches are peachy, but there’s something special about splashing in a river. DogTrekker.com has explored quite a few with our furry best friends and want to share our favorites as part of our sand bucket list.  Read more.

Hunting fun in Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach dog. Photo: Matty Sides (CC) If every dog had a surfboard, they’d all be hanging 20 in the Surf City Surf Dog contest set this year for Sept. 25-27 on Huntington Beach’s famous Dog Beach, where four-legged family members are allowed to run free all day, every day, chasing balls, sticks and each other into the surf.  Read more.

Keep santa cruz woofy

Dog on Santa Cruz Beach. Photo: Don DeBold (CC) The bumper stickers read “Keep Santa Cruz Weird,” but DogTrekkers visiting this diverse coastal county might prefer to just keep it tail-waggingly wonderful. And with 29 miles of beaches studding its crenelated shoreline, Santa Cruz County has plenty of room for dogs and people to spread out. Fifteen coastal beaches are dog-fri  Read more.

Traveling the slo lane with your dog

From Ragged Point in the north to Pismo Beach in the south, the San Luis Obispo County coast is a dog-friendly wonderland at the beach.  Read more.

Meandering the mendo coast with your dog

While you can drive from one end of Mendocino County to the other in a morning or afternoon (it’s 102 winding miles from Leggett to Gualala on scenic Highway 1) this intoxicating stretch of coastline is best savored at a snail’s pace. Our advice: Hang your hat (and leash) for at least a night in one of the many dog-friendly lodgings situated within sight and sound of the sea.   Read more.

Making dog-friendly magic in marin

Caspian at the beach. Photo: Georgio (CC) If you’re a dog, you can thank your lucky stars for the opportunity to visit Marin County, where dog-friendly open space abounds. In the beach department, leash-optional Muir Beach and Rodeo Beach, both part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, are favorite romp spots. A bit to the north, Bolinas Beach and Dillon Beach are tai  Read more.

Kayla in Surf City

Photo by Visit Huntington Beach.

DogTrekker.com's Chief Operating Dog, Director of Barketing and Research Lab, Kayla, recently visited Huntington Beach (aka Surf City, USA) and is still barking about it. Surf City is roughly 35 miles south of Los Angeles in beautiful Orange County and is one of the most dog-friendly towns in California.  Read more.

Ferndale: a charming village to bark about

Photo by Shaw House Inn.

Photo: Chris P. Registered Veterinary Technician, Chris P., recently wrote in to tell us about her visit to Ferndale, a charming, dog-friendly destination in Humboldt County. Here's what she had to say: Ferndale is a wonderful, self-billed Victorian village located in Humboldt County. I love that all the businesses are locally owned, and it has a little of everything.  Read more.

Safe coastal travels for your dog

By Dr. Jennifer Tavares, Broadway Animal Hospital, Eureka. California’s North Coast is beautiful and very dog-friendly. Dogs face more hazards when they're traveling than when they're at home. Here are a few precautions to take to keep your dog healthy on summer road trips.  Read more.

Dog adventures in russian river

Russian River Adventures has kicked off its 2015 season of dog-friendly float trips out of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. With plenty of water to navigate the secluded, 8.5-mile stretch from town to Wohler Bridge, the entire family can enjoy the Russian River with Fido serving as first mate. The company’s full-day trip has it all: gentle current, clean swimming holes, a great rope swing   Read more.

You call this camping? we say four paws up

Go in style. Camping doesn’t necessarily mean sleeping on the ground or getting up close and personal with dirt. These privately operated spots have tons of amenities for you and your four-legged kids. • San Francisco/Petaluma North KOA: Bring your RV or rent a dog-friendly cabin and find out why this campground, with 312 sites on 70 acres, is rated one of the best in the West. Canine  Read more.

Five woofy waterfront campgrounds

Dogs like being around water as much as people do, whether or not they’re required to be leashed. A few of our favorite places to camp and splash, from north to south...  Read more.

Water fun

When we asked our readers about their favorite places to share with their senior dogs, The Beach was at the top of the list, and luckily we have quite a few in California. A tide table is your friend here — depending on your preferred activity, conditions may be better at high or low tide. Especially if your four-legged geezer is not one for crowd scenes and blazing sunshine, plan your outin  Read more.

Sun, sand, santa cruz

Jennifer M. sent in this fabulous picture of her best friend, Harley, playing on the beach in Santa Cruz. Thanks for sharing Jennifer!  Read more.

Martin resorts supports Woods Humane

Martin Resorts’ collection of premier hotels on the Central Coast includes four hotels that are dog-friendly: Pismo Lighthouse Suites, Best Western PLUS Shore Cliff Lodge and The Inn at the Cove in Pismo Beach; and the Paso Robles Inn in the heart of downtown Paso Robles.  Read more.

Dining with daisy in slo

Bella dining out in Paso Robles. (CC) Diane Main So long as the weather is good, which is 90 percent of the time on the Central Coast, visitors with dogs will have no problem finding a place to chow down at an outdoor table where Daisy can relax, too.  In downtown SLO, head for Luna Red, across from the mission, which offers fine dining with outdoor seating for dogs and their families. The m  Read more.

Dog-friendly beaches of san luis obispo

Let's go to the beach! CC E.Haug Dog-friendly beaches abound in SLO County, including several strands where you can cut the cord and let your best friend run free. You can always visit a dog-friendly beach on your own, of course, but for occasions worthy of a splurge, call the Beach Butlerz. This innovative service staffed by local college students promises to change a typical day at a dog-friendl  Read more.

Towns of slo county

Ready for a trip to town. (CC) E. Haug San Luis Obispo, home to California Polytechnic State University, is a quintessential college town nestled in a sea of hills just 10 miles from the Pacific coast. It has just about everything going for it so far as DogTrekkers are concerned, from dog-friendly hotels and restaurants to dog parks and historic sites including a Spanish mission dating to 1772 an  Read more.

Sit, stay and snore in dog-friendly San Francisco

Photo by SF Travel.

If there’s a more dog-friendly city than San Francisco when it comes to lodging, we don’t know about it. The City by the Bay boasts dozens of hotels, motels and B&Bs that welcome pets.  Read more.

Chasing waves on ocean beach with your dog

Traveling in Style at Ocean Beach. (CC) torbakhopper If your dog has a reliable recall and can be trusted not to jump on people, bring her to Ocean Beach, a four-mile strip of sand at the foot of Golden Gate Park. The section between stairwells 1 and 21 is off-leash territory, and dogs go wild chasing waves, fetching balls and dodging the throngs of humans who congregate here on weekends.   Read more.

Adventure awaits on the north coast

California’s North Coast is a magical place made more magical still with the 2014 incorporation of Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands, a 1,132-acre coastal preserve in Mendocino County that you and your leashed dog are welcome to explore at your scenic-overload leisure.  Read more.

Winter wanderings in Lake Tahoe

Whether there’s lots of snow or not a flake at lake level, your pup will appreciate a winter break at Northern California’s favorite playground as much as you will.  Read more.

Golden gate national recreation area

For more than three years, DogTrekker.com has been proud to champion the ongoing advocacy efforts of dog lovers opposed to provisions in a proposed management plan that would prohibit or restrict access to portions of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area that have long been available for on- or off-leash dog walking and exercise. Our most recent story, Enjoy These GGNRA Beaches While You Ca  Read more.

Waves & woof on the Mendocino coast

©2018 California State Parks. Photo by Brian Baer.

A mere glimpse of Mendocino’s gorgeously sculpted coastline is all it takes to turn urban angst into rural revelation. The scenery is so intoxicating you can yappily spend a week along the Highway 1 corridor without venturing beyond sight or sound of the sea. Visitors on a short leash, time-wise, will find plenty to occupy themselves and their pups along the 13 miles of coastline between diminut  Read more.

Coastal cabins and cottages

Coastal cottages in Mendocino. Photo by Lee Coursey (cc).

The California coast is nothing if not moody in late fall and early winter. Calm, crystal-clear days are interspersed with blustery gray ones, so it’s best to prepare for all possibilities. DogTrekkers who prefer cabin or cottage accommodations to standard hotels and motels will find a staggering selection of dog-friendly options along the coast.  Read more.

Santa barbara dreamin’

Kayla at the top of 7 Falls Trail Almost everything in Santa Barbara, from the beautiful buildings to the beautiful people, the beautiful seashore and the beautiful dogs, qualifies as eye candy. The “American Riviera” is the kind of place where you can ditch your car, leash up your dog and wander, perhaps finding yourself admiring Spanish colonial architecture on the podcast-guided&nb  Read more.

San francisco is for dog lovers

Addie headed for fun at Fort Funston. Photo by Heather. If there’s a more dog-friendly big city than San Francisco, we at DogTrekker.com certainly don’t know about it. An abundance of open space available to the canine set is one of the City by the Bay’s main attractions for dog lovers. Well behaved pooches are allowed to exercise and socialize off-leash in two dozen places within city limit  Read more.

Tails in Tahoe

Fallen Leaf Lake.

Most hikes around Lake Tahoe—and there are hundreds—can be enjoyed with your best friend. But if your goal is to bask in fall color  Read more.

Moseying through Mendocino county

Photo by Pt. Arena Lighthouse.

Happy dog in Gualala If you haven’t been to Mendocino County in a while, consider following coastal Highway 1 through a scenic wonderland touched by many trails where you and your dog can sniff out your own discoveries.   Read more.

Dog-friendly wineries in San Luis Obispo County

Paso Robles Wine Dog Here at DogTrekker.com, we’ve made dog-friendly wineries easier to find through a new, interactive map on our California Wine Country landing page. Clicking on the map of the county or region you’d like to visit will help you explore the wine regions throughout the state. Here are some of our favorites in San Luis Obispo County.   Read more.

Water and more in Lake County

Field of vines in Lake County. (CC) SP8254 The map of Lake County is dominated by Clear Lake, a popular vacation spot with many dog-friendly places to cuddle up for a night or two with your best friend. Water activities are of course a big attraction, but a wine industry has flourished here since the 1850s, and the region that calls itself California’s Undiscovered Wine Country encourages   Read more.

Dog-friendly wineries: just a click away

Here at DogTrekker.com, we’ve made dog-friendly wineries easier to find through a new, interactive map on our California Wine Country landing page. Clicking on the map of the county or region you’d like to visit will help you explore the wine regions throughout the state.  Read more.

Mendocino’s beachcomber motel offers pet suites and dog park

Photo by Beachcomber Motel & Spa.

The Beachcomber Motel & Spa in Fort Bragg has officially gone to the dogs with their latest addition of Pet Suites and a new, leash-free Dog Park.  Read more.

Go California! dogtrekker photo contest

Have a great photo of your best friend frolicking on a California beach, hightailing it up a trail through the redwoods, or maybe strolling among the vines of your favorite winery? Submit it to our Go California! DogTrekker Photo Contest and you could win one of two GoPro® HERO3 Cameras.  Read more.

Bet on bodega bay

Follow the Pacific coast through Sonoma County and you’ll find plenty of gorgeous scenery to share with your best friend. Bodega Bay makes an ideal hub for discovering the region’s many attributes. Bed down at a dog-friendly property such as Bodega Coast Inn & Suites, Sonoma Coast Villa & Spa, Bay Hill Mansion B&B or Bodega Bay RV Park and prepare to get sandy, as you&rsquo  Read more.

Dog-friendly Lake Tahoe beaches

Photo by Jeremy Perkins.

Summer is in full swing and Lake Tahoe is one of the top DogTrekker destinations. So we want to share some of the places to take your dog for a dip on your next trip to this gem of a lake.  Read more.

Koa welcomes dogtrekkers

Camping in California is surging in popularity with DogTrekkers, in part because privately owned campgrounds such as the award-winning San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA have diversified to offer not just RV camping, but tent sites, camping cabins, dog-friendly full service lodges and resort amenities that appeal to a wide variety of vacationers.  Read more.

Sacramento and folsom: gold country getaways

Dog party in downtown Sacramento. Photo: Kelly Huston Sacramento and Folsom are the dog-friendly gateways to California Gold Country. And there’s no denying it: temperatures here can get very hot here in the summer. The upside is that Sacramento is blessed with a marine phenomenon known as the “Delta breeze” that puffs up most evenings, cooling temperatures by as much as 30 degrees. The secr  Read more.

Corgi nation beach day

Corgis take over Huntington Dog Beach DogTrekker, Bonnie H., from Canoga Park wrote to us recently to tell us about a great dog-friendly event at Huntington Beach: SoCal Corgi Nation Beach Day. On June 28, over 375 corgis brought their people out to play on the beach. There was a costume contest, a corgi limbo, group photos and much more.  Read more.

Does my dog really need heartworm protection?

By Rhonda Stallings, DVM, Arroyo Veterinary Hospital, Sonoma, CA Heartworm disease now exists throughout the United States though some areas pose more risk than others. In California, there are so many microclimates that we just cannot say any one area is safer than another. And, since we travel with our dogs, even just from a park to the beach, our pets are exposed to mosquitoes that carry thi  Read more.

Russian river adventures

Have a dog who loves water? Why not let her serve as first mate in a dog-friendly canoe?  Russian River Adventures, Sonoma County's premiere dog-passionate eco-adventure outfitter, welcomes four-paw passengers in its SOAR inflatable canoes. Since 2003, thousands of dogs and their owners have enjoyed awesome days dog-paddling down the Russian River in these tough and stable crafts.  Read more.

Dogtrekker’s best river adventures

Catch a Canoe & Bicycles, Too! in Mendocino.

Among our favorite go-to spots is the languidly flowing stretch of the Russian River around Healdsburg. Russian River Adventures rents dog-friendly inflatable canoes for full-day trips where you can enjoy clear, clean swimming holes and a picnic lunch before catching the shuttle back to town.  Read more.

Enjoy these ggnra beaches while you can

Dog running on Muir Beach: Photo by Carolyn (CC) For dog lovers, few sights bring more joy than watching man’s best friend run free and unfettered on a beach. In the Bay Area, one of the top places to enjoy the privilege has always been Muir Beach, a gorgeous strand in Marin County bounded by high bluffs, habitat-sensitive wetlands and a lagoon. Dogs have always been allowed on leash or un  Read more.

Make a splash at North Lake Tahoe

Photo by Karsten Winegeart.

Time to take your dog swimming at Lake Tahoe's North Shore! Four-pawed visitors aren't welcome everywhere, but the DogTrekker crew has scouted some of the best dog-friendly beaches along the shores of Big Blue.  Read more.

Surf dogs

  Surf’s up in Southern California—and now, during the summer vacation season, you and your pup can get your smiles on watching surf dogs ride the waves all along the coast, including competitions in Huntington Beach, Imperial Beach and Del Mar. If seeing other dogs shred the waves makes you think, “Hey, my dog could do that,” it’s easy to find out, just treat   Read more.

Dogs love Tahoe

Lake Tahoe. Photo by Tahoe Keys Resort.

As DogTrekker.com readers already know, Lake Tahoe is a paradise for dogs. They also tell us that  Tahoe Keys Resort is the most dog-friendly place to stay.  Read more.

Clearly clear lake

There it sits, a big blue puddle on the map about 75 miles due north of Santa Rosa. When’s the last time you and your furry sidekick visited Clear Lake, in Lake County?  Read more.

Let’s go coasting: pacifica to carmel

Dogs playing on Carmel Beach. Photo - Janet Fullwood There’s nothing like the sight and sound of the sea to soothe the soul, vanquish boredom and revive the spirit. If your pup has been seeing far too much of the back yard lately, maybe it’s time for both of you to sniff out new horizons along the highly scenic, 122-mile stretch of Highway 1 between Pacifica and Carmel.  Read more.

It’s happening in Huntington Beach

Murphy Playing at Dog Beach (CC) Doug Carlson Huntington Beach, (aka Surf City, USA) is located at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and the Pacific Coast Highway, 35 miles south of Los Angeles, and is known for its almost 10 mile stretch of pristine beach, Huntington Beach Pier, world-class surfing, miles of biking and jogging trails, endless sunshine and laid-back beach culture.  Read more.

Prettiest dog-friendly place in Lake Tahoe

Zephyr Cove. Photo by Ingrid Salmanca.

Debbie J., our latest Paw Tester wrote in to tell us about, The Pine Cone Resort at Lake Tahoe, 'the most fun place' she has ever stayed with her dogs, Boomer and Molly.  Read more.

High sierra hideaways

Boat dog in Mono County. Photo - Colleen Greene Late spring, when roads are clear but the mountains are still frosted with snow, is a gorgeous time to enjoy the majesty of the High Sierra. Off-season rates make it more affordable and vacancies at high-demand properties are more available than at the height of summer.  Read more.

Lake Tahoe’s South Shore and more

Photo by Tahoe Keys Resort.

Summer is prime time at South Lake Tahoe, for hotel stays and vacation rentals alike. A vacation rental can be your ticket to dog-friendly togetherness and flexibility; plus the lake and miles of dog-friendly hiking trails are right outside your door.  Read more.

Martin resorts gives back

Dog-friendly Pismo Lighthouse Suites Planning a vacation in beautiful San Luis Obispo County with your favorite four-legged travel companion? We suggest checking out Martin Resorts. Martin Resorts’ collection of premier hotels and restaurants on the Central Coast includes four hotels that offer dog-friendly lodging: the oceanfront Pismo Lighthouse Suites, Best Western Plus Shore C  Read more.

Cozy canines in Cayucos

Cayucos beach. Photo by Wikimedia.

Strolling the beach at Cayucos If miles of dog-friendly beaches, delicious local cuisine and comfortable accommodations sound like your idea of fun, look no farther than the quaint little town of Cayucos. Located on an often-sunny south-facing beach, Cayucos hosts a variety of events throughout the year, many of which are dog-friendly. For outdoor fun, Cayucos offers up one of the longest stretch  Read more.

At play in morro bay

Emma and Abbey at play at the Elfin Forest Photo: Robyn O'Leary (CC) The Morro Bay estuary is famous for its temperate climate, scenic beauty and wide variety of seaside activities available for all your two- and four-footed family members. Majestic Morro Rock looms over the north end of the bay, while the southern end of the estuary splashes up against the quiet little town of Los Osos, wher  Read more.

Help us gain dog access to state parks

We Californians love our dogs-and our state parks. But we're often frustrated by regulations that restrict canine visitors to parking lots and campgrounds. Only a few parks allow dogs to accompany their people on trails and on beaches. DogTrekker.com wants to change that and needs your help. The state parks' new leadership wants to ensure that the parks are 'available to everyone'.  Read more.

Dog-friendly san simeon cove

Nestled under the watchful eye of William Randolph Hearst’s famous castle is San Simeon Cove, a jewel in San Luis Obispo’s crown of beaches. Emerald-green water, abundant wildlife and ample space to romp makes this dog-friendly beach a must-see for DogTrekkers.  Read more.

Grateful connection

Back in June, 2013 Anita M., was reading the latest DogTrekker Newsletter that included a photo of a pup that was available for adoption from Grateful Dogs Rescue. His name was Achilles, and she was smitten.  Read more.

See the sea

Otto at Tilden Park, Berkeley. Photo: Carol Kolb DeWilde (CC) In our last newsletter, Spring Delights in the East Bay, we profiled some favorite hikes in the green, rolling hills of the East Bay. This time around, short hikes with ocean views are the ticket. If you’re visiting the San Francisco area and have only a couple of hours available to get outside with your pet, give these options   Read more.

Point to point reyes

Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo courtesy National Park Service. One of the assets of Point Reyes National Seashore is that all those wild, surf-lapped landscapes are just a blink away from civilized comforts. There’s no need to pack in a trunk-load of groceries with so many good restaurants nearby. Then again, there’s something to be said for having a kitchen where you can mak  Read more.

Surf’s up!

Photo by Surf and Sand Lodge.

Win our latest DogCation™ at the Surf & Sand Lodge and you and your pup will get up close and personal with nature in her peak of splendor. The Surf & Sand has front row seats to the all the grandeur of the Mendocino coastline, with its miles of beaches, sweeping dunes and endless trails to tire the most intrepid DogTrekkers.  Read more.

Editorial: dogs in state parks

On the pier at Seacliff State Beach We want to thank the hundreds of DogTrekker readers who responded so positively to our May 15, 2013 newsletter featuring an open letter to Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the California Parks Foundation. The letter was complimentary about the work the foundation has done to raise awareness and funds to protect, maintain and enhance our parks.  Read more.

All the way in half moon bay

Dogs on the beach in Half Moon Bay - Photo Dave Kendrick Dog-friendly Half Moon Bay, at the heart of the region locals call “Coastside,” is part resort, part classic California surf town. Beaches and bluffs are what it’s all about for visitors with dogs, and while off-leash opportunities are few, there are many ways to engage with the scenery. In fact, it’s hard to know   Read more.

Pacified in Pacifica

Sprawled along the six miles of coastline just over the hills from San Francisco International Airport, the once working-class community of Pacifica has morphed into a haven for well heeled commuters. It’s also a haven for DogTrekkers who relish fresh air, wide-open scenery and thousands of acres of roam-worthy public lands.  Read more.

Take a bragg-adocious break

Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden. Photo by Pawparazzi Pet Photography, provided by MGBG.

With a whopping 7,500 full-time residents, Fort Bragg is the “big city” on the Mendocino coast. It’s also a very dog-friendly place, thanks largely to the tireless advocacy efforts of the Mendocino Coast Dog Owners Group (McDog).  Read more.

Groovin’ in gualala

Ocean stroll on the cliffs near Sea Ranch Lodge In southern Mendocino County, the village of Gualala makes a peaceful, fresh-air base for a low-key getaway. From high-end to budget, there’s someplace for every brand of DogTrekker to cozy up with four-legged family members.  Read more.

17 miles of magnificence

It’s just 17 miles along scenic Highway 1 from the coastal village of Albion to the more muscular city of Fort Bragg, but considering how much lies in between, you could take an entire, leisurely week to go the distance. In Little River, just north of Albion, the charming Little River Inn welcomes four-legged family members as well as their uprights, offering bed, breakfast and majestic views  Read more.

Editorial: ggnra aims to tighten leashes

DogTrekker Editorial Rohn at Crissy Field We have received many questions from readers about the recently revised and released dog management plan for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). We think it is appropriate to use this beach issue to put our paws down in the sand and take a stand. While we haven’t been able to absorb the entire scope of the document’s 1  Read more.

Scenic coasting in Monterey County

Carmel By The Sea. Photo by Susan Berman.

Monterey County boasts one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, from Watsonville in the north to the famous Big Sur in the south.   Read more.

Cruising with cosmo in Santa Cruz County

On the pier at Seacliff State Beach With 29 miles of beaches studding its extensive coastline,  Santa Cruz County has plenty of room for DogTrekkers. Not all strands are dog-friendly, and all but one of those that are require four-legged visitors to be leashed. But don’t let that turn you off or away: the scenery is stunning and the county is so dog-friendly in other ways tha  Read more.

Slo down already

Dogs on Pismo State Beach San Luis Obispo County on California’s Central Coast is as mellow for dogs as it is for humans. But while there are lots of off-leash dog parks and play areas in the vicinity of SLO town, there are just a couple of places in the sand-and-sea department where Dottie can frolic off-leash (provided, of course, she is socialized to the max, has an ultra-reliable recall and   Read more.

Make a splash in marin

Rodeo Beach. Photo by Jessica Bay.

Marin County is spring-loaded with dog-friendly places, but we at DogTrekker have some tail-wagger favorites. Beautiful Muir Beach permits dogs under voice control off-leash.  Read more.

Get your butte in gear

With more public lands than a DogTrekker could explore in a lifetime, Butte County is a great place for an outdoorsy getaway with your canine companion. The surprises start in the county seat of Chico, home to Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, a California State University campus and Bidwell Park, at 3,618 acres, one of the largest municipal parks in the country. While the developed Lower Park is   Read more.