Food and wine Blog

Looking for some food and wine? DogTrekker has sussed out the stories of many dog-friendly restaurants, wineries, breweries and more for you here. Whether you want to take a tour of the vineyards, sip some ciders in a cozy spot, or just enjoy a dog-friendly patio dining experience—we have it all! So whether you’re looking for something close by or somewhere new and exciting, DogTrekker’s got you covered.

Woof it up in wine-country luxury

For a romantic wine country getaway with your dog, Carneros Resort offers luxury cottages with private fenced patios and fire pits. Calistoga Ranch provides 127 acres to explore and a dog concierge for your pup.

Image from Tuolumne tell-all on DogTrekker

Dog-friendly Gold Country: Exploring Tuolumne County

Tuolumne County near Yosemite is rich in Gold Rush history and dog-friendly adventures. Ride a stagecoach in Columbia, hop an old locomotive in Jamestown, and hike national forest trails near Groveland.

Fall foliage and dog-friendly lodging in Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra deliver dog-friendly lodging from historic Tamarack Lodge to pet-pampering Westin Monache, plus leash-free national forest trails and fall color that peaks at Convict Lake, McGee Creek Canyon, and Devil's Postpile.

Calistoga on a leash

Calistoga at the north end of Napa Valley charms visitors with castle-like wineries, bocce courts, Michelin-starred patio dining and a walkable downtown. Dogs are welcome at tasting rooms, restaurants and lodgings throughout town.

Dog-friendly Stanford Inn, Mendocino

Mendocino's Stanford Inn by the Sea has welcomed dogs for decades, greeting them with treats, food bowls, and furniture covers. Next door, Catch A Canoe rents stable canoes for exploring the Big River with your pup.

Bike or hike to the beach

The Bob Jones Bike Trail in Avila Beach is a 2.5-mile paved path from Highway 101 to the ocean, passing apple orchards and a golf course. At trail's end, off-leash Olde Port Beach rewards you and your dog.

Dog-friendly wineries in Sonoma County

Sonoma County's wine country pairs world-class vintages with a warm welcome for dogs. From the canine-celebrating Mutt Lynch Winery to Kunde Family's guided dog hikes through the vineyards, tasting has never been more fun.

Halfway to heaven

Hike 270-acre St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve above Los Gatos, soak your paws at Lexington Reservoir, then wind down with wine and cheese on the dog-friendly patio at Testarossa, the Bay Area's oldest continuously operating winery.

Views galore in Santa Clara County

Mount Madonna County Park near Gilroy packs ocean views, redwood forests, and 14 miles of dog-friendly trails into one Santa Cruz Mountains preserve. Spring wildflowers make it especially beautiful, and nearby Kirigin Cellars offers off-leash wine tasting grounds.

Maya climbing Bishop Peak, SLO. Phoo by Dave Kendrick.

Beaching it in South SLO County

SLO County's south coast stretches from Pismo Beach to Avila, offering dog-friendly sand, oceanfront dining, and scenic trails. Pismo's Dinosaur Caves Park has blufftop views, while Avila's Olde Port Beach lets dogs play off-leash in the surf beside evening bonfires.

Chow down in Sacramento

Sacramento's farm-to-fork dining scene is a treat for dogs and their people, with patio-friendly restaurants lining Old Sacramento, the R Street corridor, Midtown's J Street and beyond. Happy hours here are especially competitive.

Stake a claim in Sacramento

Sacramento makes a great home base for dog-friendly day trips, but you may never leave town. Fall foliage lights up the parks, R Street buzzes with patio dining, and craft breweries like Track 7 welcome your four-legged friend.

Rio at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse station.

It takes a (dog-friendly) village

Mendocino village and its surrounding headlands are a dog lover's dream. Hike bluff-top trails to Big River State Beach, explore Point Cabrillo Light Station, and dine with your pup at Ravens restaurant inside the Stanford Inn.

Cute photo of two dogs in love --ar 169 --v 7

A weekend for romance

Plan a romantic, dog-friendly Valentine's weekend along the California coast. Pacific Grove's Andril Fireplace Cottages, Bodega Bay's rugged shoreline, and Mendocino's Stanford Inn all offer fireplaces, ocean views, and warm welcomes for your four-legged companion.

Have dog, will travel to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz County is a dog lover's playground. Walk the coastal path along West Cliff Drive, let your pup run off-leash at Mitchell's Cove Beach, hike through redwoods at Henry Cowell, or ride a steam train at Roaring Camp.

Dog-friendly San Simeon Cove

San Simeon Cove offers off-leash beach time just steps from Hearst Memorial State Beach. Hunt for sea glass and jade, watch otters and pelicans, hike the bluff-top trail, then head to Cambria for patio dining.

Let’s go coasting: Pacifica to Carmel

Highway 1 between Pacifica and Carmel packs 122 miles of dog-friendly beaches, coastal trails, and charming towns. Walk the Devil's Slide Trail, lunch seaside in Santa Cruz, and let your pup run off-leash on Carmel Beach before exploring the village.

Enter a doggie paradise at dusk in the stunningly lush, flower-filled gardens surrounding the multi-story Stanford Inn. The vibrant blossoms create a delightful visual spectacle, providing an exciting adventure for both you and your four-legged friend to discover.

The Stanford Inn – authentically eco-minded

The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino has practiced sustainability since the 1980s, with organic gardens, vegan dining at Ravens Restaurant, biodiesel trucks, and green cleaning. Dogs are welcome at this eco-minded resort overlooking Mendocino Bay.