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!

The splashy side of Placer County

Placer County is full of dog-friendly water fun, from rafting the American River and fishing at French Meadows Reservoir to kayaking on Lake Tahoe. Folsom Lake and Sugar Pine Reservoir also welcome leashed pups for swimming, hiking, and boating.

At Tahoe: The ultimate doggie meetup

Camp Winnaribbun turns a 33-acre Tahoe property into doggie paradise each summer, with off-leash beach play, dock diving, agility training, nose work, and daily hikes. Evening campfires and shared meals give owners a chance to swap stories and training tips.

Cooper loved to travel

Cooper the Lab mix lived ten adventure-packed years as an avid DogTrekker, from winery visits at Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma to Shirley Canyon hikes at Palisades Tahoe and beach romps at Fort Funston. His owner Niki shares how DogTrekker shaped…

Dog hike in the lake tahoe woods in fall --ar 169

Lake Tahoe fall fun

Fall in Tahoe means golden aspens, glassy lake mornings, and thinning crowds. Base yourself in Truckee for the best leaf color and trail access, chase reflections at Spooner Lake, and enjoy shoulder-season dining before the short window of peak color…

Spring forward at Lake Tahoe

Spring is Tahoe's overlooked shoulder season, and that's exactly why it works so well with a dog. Snow melts off the lower trails, crowds vanish, and the lake shifts through shades of blue while meltwater-fed rivers run fast through pine…

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Lake Tahoe: Winter fun with your dog

Winter in North Lake Tahoe brings fewer crowds, deep snow, and a landscape made for long walks with your dog. From Truckee's gritty main street to Kings Beach's quiet shoreline and Tahoe City's groomed Nordic trails, each community offers its…

Tails in Tahoe

Fall at Lake Tahoe means golden aspens, cooler trails, and thinner crowds. From easy lakeshore strolls at Kiva Beach and the Rainbow Trail at Taylor Creek to backcountry routes into Desolation Wilderness, the hiking options with your dog are practically…

Cartoon map of california humor. points of doggie

California’s top tail-wagging destinations: Adventure awaits

A south-to-north road trip through California's best dog-friendly destinations, from Ocean Beach in San Diego and Runyon Canyon in LA to Big Bear Lake, Carmel Beach and beyond. Each stop pairs off-leash fun with pet-welcoming hotels and cafes.

Got some dog-gone good photos? You could win $500!

DogTrekker's Go California Photo Contest offers 12 prizes, including two $500 grand prizes. Snap your dog enjoying California's beaches, lakes, parks, and trails, then submit your best shots by September 30 and vote for your favorites to help them win.

Wild Blue canine camp is calling!

Wild Blue Dogs hosts weeklong sleepaway camps on the shores of Lake Tahoe for you and your pup. The all-inclusive experience features hikes, swims, campfires and training, and every dollar raised goes toward canine cancer treatment and research.

Dog-friendly California destination, photo courtesy of Tahoe Keys Resort

Dog-friendly Tahoe Keys Resort

Tahoe Keys Resort offers dog-friendly cabins, condos, and homes in a 740-acre private marina community with easy lake access. The dog-passionate staff greets canine guests with treats and insider tips on the best hikes and restaurants around South Lake Tahoe.

Dogs, costumes, kids and fun at DogFest Northwest, Jack London Square, Oakland.

You’ll fall for this season’s dog-friendly events

Fall in California brings a wave of dog-friendly events, from the Pismo Beach Corgi Getaway and Berkeley Humane's adopt-a-thon to DogFest Northwest in Oakland, Bark in the Park in San Jose, and Halloween costume contests in Big Bear Village.

Tahoe splash spots

Finding dog-friendly beaches at Lake Tahoe takes a little planning, but the payoff is worth it. Kiva Beach on the South Shore, Coon Street in Kings Beach, and Patton Landing in Carnelian Bay all welcome pups for swimming and shoreline…

Big dogs love the Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash.

Welcome to spring – and the 2024 event season!

Spring kicks off a packed calendar of dog-friendly events across California, from the Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash and SF Giants Dog Days at Oracle Park to adoption fundraisers, costume contests, and brewery tasting tours. Here are our top picks through…

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Lake Tahoe is a winter wonderland

South Lake Tahoe in winter means cross-country skiing, lakeside walks, and cozy fireplaces shared with your dog. Pet-friendly properties like the Beach Retreat, Fireside Lodge, and Desolation Hotel make the south shore an ideal cold-weather base for snow-season adventures.

Lake Tahoe’s best-in-show dog camp

Wild Blue Dogs hosts an all-inclusive dog camp on Lake Tahoe's Nevada shore, featuring agility classes, nose work, kayaking, and more led by certified trainers. Proceeds support canine cancer research, making this a vacation with real purpose.

hiking at Mammoth California in the fall

10 dog-friendly hiking trails in California

California's varied terrain offers incredible hiking for dogs and their people. This roundup covers 10 standout trails, from the rugged Black Butte summit in Shasta-Trinity to the wildflower-lined Mount Judah Loop near Truckee and waterfall hikes along the McCloud River.

Majestic, dog-friendly California mountain towns

California's mountain towns offer breathtaking trails, crystal-clear lakes, and welcoming communities for dogs and their people. From Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes and Big Bear, these high-altitude getaways promise year-round adventure.