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!
Favorite California campgrounds for dog lovers
From Woods Lake Campground near Carson Pass to Nevada Beach on Lake Tahoe's shore, California has paw-tested campgrounds worth returning to year after year. Pfeiffer Big Sur offers magical redwood settings, while Bothe-Napa Valley puts you minutes from wine country.
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Dog-friendly campsites in northern California
A roundup of exceptional dog-friendly campgrounds across Northern California, from spacious Gerle Creek Reservoir sites to wildflower-rich Woods Lake near Carson Pass, secluded Kidd Lake, coastal MacKerricher State Park, and the redwood groves of Pfeiffer Big Sur.
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Top paw-tested campgrounds
From MacKerricher State Park on the Mendocino coast to Pfeiffer Big Sur in the redwoods and Pismo State Beach on the Central Coast, these paw-tested California campgrounds keep dogs and their people coming back year after year.
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Bark for some of our favorite dog-friendly campgrounds
From Mammoth Lakes to Lake Tahoe to the Highway 88 corridor, California offers incredible dog-friendly campgrounds in diverse settings. Here are some of our favorite spots to pitch a tent, park an RV, or rent a cabin with your pup.
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Mendocino’s inland empire
Mendocino County's inland treasures include the Anderson Valley wine road with dog-friendly tasting rooms, the drive-through Chandelier Tree in Leggett and farm-to-table dining in Boonville. Wine, redwoods and warm welcomes abound.
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Special adventures for furry friends in Mendocino
Mendocino County is packed with dog-friendly adventures, from the classic Skunk Train to kayaking sea caves with the Little River Inn's Water Dog package. Add uncrowded beaches, botanical gardens, and Glass Beach to fill out a memorable visit.
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Exploring dog-friendly Lake Tahoe: An adventurer’s guide
Lake Tahoe welcomes dogs at sandy beaches like Kiva and Lake Forest, on forested trails from easy loops to summit hikes, and at patio restaurants with treats at the ready. This guide covers everything you need for a Tahoe trip…
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Lake Tahoe summer fun
Summer at North Lake Tahoe means long days on dog-friendly beaches like Kiva and Kings Beach, cool dips in the Truckee River, and alpine hikes with sweeping views. Patio meals in walkable mountain towns round out the perfect warm-weather getaway…
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Shell Beach coastal access trail
The Shell Beach Coastal Access Trail at Sea Ranch in Sonoma County offers a scenic walk through pine forests and meadows to a sandy beach with tide pools. Dogs are welcome on leash, and parking is free with trail access…
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2024 Go California Photo Contest winners
Hundreds of entries poured in for DogTrekker's 2024 Go California Photo Contest, and thousands voted for their favorites. Meet the winning pups, including two Pomeranians waving from Glacier Point and a sidecar-riding dog cruising through Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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Field & stream: Explore Bishop’s big backyard
Surrounded by 98 percent public land, Bishop serves up incredible outdoor adventures for dogs and their humans. Hike Bishop Creek Canyon past cascading waterfalls, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, or paddle the serene alpine waters of Lake Sabrina in the…
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Breaking news from the Bay Area
Great news for Bay Area dog owners. The East Bay Regional Park District has dropped dog fees in 2025, giving pups free access to 73 parks with 1,250 miles of trails across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Pleasant Hill makes…
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Best Southern California doggie swim spots
Southern California is loaded with places where dogs can cool off, from the famous off-leash waves at Huntington Dog Beach to calm inland lakes and hidden creeks. This guide covers the best swim spots and what to know before you…
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Family fun with a pup-friendly pedigree
The Stanford Inn is a family-friendly retreat with four state parks within two miles, a heated saltwater pool, scavenger hunts, and canine cruiser canoes on Big River. Dogs perch on a stable middle deck while families paddle miles of estuary…
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Borrow a buddy at the Beachcomber Properties, Fort Bragg
The Borrow a Buddy program at Fort Bragg's Beachcomber Hotel Group lets guests without dogs spend time with adoptable pups from the Mendocino Coast Humane Society. Take a deserving shelter dog to a local beach, winery, or state park for…
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Huntington Beach: Surf City, sunsets and sandy paws
Huntington Beach is pure coastal joy for dogs, with the legendary off-leash Dog Beach, ocean-view patios, and a laid-back surf town vibe that welcomes four-legged visitors. Start early for calm waters and cooler sand, then reward your pup with a…
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Happy New Year from DogTrekker!
DogTrekker kicks off 2026 with a look ahead at the coastal walks, mountain trails, and welcoming patios waiting for you and your dog across California. More hotels, trails, and restaurants are rolling out the red carpet for pups than ever…
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Splashy pet packages and plenty to explore
Little River Inn's Water Dog Package bundles a two-night coastal stay with a dog-friendly canoe or kayak outing, a generous dinner voucher, and a pet welcome bag. Explore Big River by outrigger or paddle through sea caves off Van Damme…
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Dog-friendly dining on a riverfront patio
Noyo Harbor Inn's HarborView Bistro and Bar in Fort Bragg serves fresh seafood and California wines on a riverfront patio where dogs are welcome. Watch fishing boats drift by over brunch, happy hour, or a locally sourced dinner with sunset…
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Explore the San Mateo coast like a pro
The San Mateo Coast packs 60 miles of rugged Pacific shoreline into one compact region, and much of it welcomes dogs. Expect off-leash beaches, tide pools, wild surf, and foggy coastal magic just an hour from San Francisco and Silicon…
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Must-attend events this summer and fall
California summers are packed with dog-friendly celebrations, from Sacramento River Cats Wet Nose Wednesdays and the Puptopia Festival in Big Bear to the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon in San Diego and brewery fundraisers across the Bay Area. Here are our top…
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The National Forest/BLM advantage
National forests and BLM lands offer dog owners freedom that state and national parks rarely do. From Hope Valley's golden aspens to Garland Ranch's swimming holes and Mendocino's coastal bluffs, these public lands welcome off-leash hiking under voice control.
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More wet ways to play
Stand-up paddleboarding with your dog is catching on across California. From SUP PUPS clinics at Lake Tahoe to Dog-Paddle Saturdays in San Rafael, there are plenty of ways for you and your pup to ride a board together.
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Wandering El Dorado County
El Dorado County offers everything from Echo Lake hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail to five sparkling lakes in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area. With over 700 dog-friendly campsites and trails into Desolation Wilderness, summer adventures abound.
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