Strike gold with El Dorado County wines

Although sprawling El Dorado County has quite a few craft breweries, it’s better known for its wine, apples and other fresh produce. The EDC Wine Trail features more than a dozen wineries on both sides of Highway 50 that welcome dogs and provide scenic rural vistas in the process.  Read more.

Fort fun!

DogTrekker.com reader Karen N. sent in a few photos of her dogs at Fort Funston, San Francisco's off-leash dog haven. Karen writes, "In my opinion, the most beautiful place in San Francisco. Since the area is all off leash, your dog should be very well socialized and have excellent recall."  Read more.

Wine down with your dog by your side

Monterey wines rely on warm sun, cool fog and nurturing soils resulting in intense varietal flavor. Chardonnay, pinot blanc and riesling are notable varietals grown near the coast, while reds are more common in the warmer southern areas. You can sample them all while your dog waits patiently (we hope!) by your side at dozens of pet-friendly tasting rooms from Cannery Row to Carmel to the Santa Luc  Read more.

Lots to do on dog-friendly Cannery Row

“Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.” So wrote John Steinbeck in his famous 1945 novel. “The Row” gets its name from a string of long-defunct sardine-canning factories, some of which have been converted into dog-friendly restaurants and hotels.  Read more.

Pleasant surprises in Pleasant Hill

Photo by @clearerphish.

This East Bay community of 35,000 is surrounded by hills that perfectly reflect its name. But while some may view its location (23 miles east of San Francisco and 73 miles west of Sacramento) as merely “close to" (as in “close to” the City by the Bay as well as Napa and Sonoma wine country), Pleasant Hill holds plenty of dog-friendly appeal on its own.  Read more.

Unplug and explore with Concord as a dog-friendly base

Photo by @thedoodriley.

This East Bay community of Concord has a vibe all its own, not to mention reasonably priced lodging and all manner of indoor and outdoor places to explore with your dog by your side. It might be discovering a new brew while exploring the thriving craft beer scene, trying poke for the first time or making an excursion into a nearby slice of wine country you never knew existed.  Read more.

Share a bite

Perfect weather for eating al fresco makes Greater Palm Springs an ideal locale to dine with your dog. In fact, countless eateries cater to pups with water bowls, treats, and plenty of social interaction—from casual cafés to fine dining under the stars. When happy hour rolls around, you’re likely to find a dog-friendly bar patio hosting yappy hour too. We’ve tracked down five top hotspots f  Read more.

Get a taste (and a sip) of the dog-friendly Delta

The San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta (often referred to as the California Delta) is a maze of navigable waterways winding from Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay.  Read more.

Eat, drink, be merry with your dog by your side

Outdoor dining is an integral part of Sacramento culture, and restaurants with dog-friendly patios are too numerous to count. For walkability and a huge diversity of offerings, the Midtown residential/retail/dining/entertainment district just east of downtown is the place to explore. It’s where the see-and-be-seen action is for young people—and for DogTrekkers of all ages.  Read more.

Wags n wine holiday party, Huntington Beach

Wags N Wine Holiday Party, Huntington Beach – Dec. 13  Read more.

Dogs welcome at Yountville tasting rooms

Photo by Jetsetting Fashionista.

If you’re up for a special-occasion getaway centered on food and wine and can’t leave your four-legged other behind, consider the oh-so-chic Napa Valley town of Yountville.  Read more.

It’s a dog’s life in santa cruz wine country

Oh, the carefree life of a winery dog. It ranks high on our list of reincarnation fantasies. Yet in Santa Cruz County, which is home to over a dozen dog-friendly wineries, you needn't wait until the next go-round to enjoy a breezy life of leisure.  Read more.

Lake county hideaway

“Agritourism”—an agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch—is as old as winemaking in California, yet there aren’t many places where visitors with dogs can spend the night on the premises. Bed & Barrel at Stonehouse Cellars, a winery/tasting room/B&B in Clearlake Oaks, Lake County, is an exception.  Read more.

Gold country treasure hunt

Are you one of those folks who enjoys taking selfies with your dog wherever you roam? Add some fun to your quest by participating in the Placer Wine Trail Photo Hunt, a contest taking place through December. The deal: Visit a member winery, find the “treasure” (it might be an artwork, an artifact or a physical feature of the property), take a selfie, post it on Instagram and be entered  Read more.

Where to chow down with your pup in vacaville

When it’s mealtime in Vacaville, you’ll find many casual, dog-friendly options, from pizza and barbecue to Mexican, Italian and sandwich shops.  Read more.

Gateway to farm and wine country

Taken aback by prices at Napa and Sonoma hotels? Stay in Vacaville at half the price and visit Napa, Sonoma or the nearby Suisun Valley Rustic Wine Country on a daytrip. At DogTrekker.com, we list nine dog-friendly lodging options, including the Hampton Inn & Suites Vacaville/Napa Valley, which doesn’t charge extra for pets, includes a hot breakfast in the rates and offers a “puppy  Read more.

Wine time! paws up for these mendo wineries

OK, nobody can visit four dozen dog-friendly wineries on one trip! Nevertheless, that’s how many await along the Highway 128 and Highway 101 corridors. Pick a region and let serendipity be your guide as you spend a leisurely day wine-tasting with your pup.  Read more.

Chow down with your pup within sight of the sea

Photo by @sunshinemylifeinthesunshine

Travel with your dog can be very rewarding, but there are always a few problems to solve—such as finding restaurants where your dog can join you beside or beneath your table. No worries: DogTrekker’s got you covered! Here are some of our favorite dog-friendly places to chow down on the Mendocino Coast.  Read more.

Amador county

Follow Highway 49 south through Amador County for yet another take on Gold Country. You’ll find lodging at historic, dog-friendly establishments like Hanford House in Sutter Creek, the Imperial Hotel in Amador City and the St. George Hotel in the historic hamlet of Volcano, as well as contemporary Days Inn and Best Western properties. You’ll want to make a weekend of it, as the No. 1 a  Read more.

Make apple hill a dog-friendly tradition

September and October in El Dorado County means apples and all the good things, from cider to pie, that go with them.   Read more.

Summer fun with your pup in folsom

Folsom Lake. Photo by Simon Hurry.

History, a vibrant dining scene and outdoor recreation options galore beckon in this gateway to California Gold Country.  Read more.

Up the hill in placerville with your furry sidekick

Photo by @tbutcherskitchen.

The El Dorado County seat was named for the alluvial deposits that drew prospectors here during the Gold Rush. It’s nickname, “Hangtown,” relates to the lawlessness of the times. Today, however, it’s one of the most picturesque, bustling and dog-friendly of Gold Country towns.  Read more.

All wine, no whine at these Lake County wineries

While water activities are of course a big attraction in Lake County, more than 30 wineries, most with dog-friendly picnic areas and tasting rooms, welcome visitors in what is one of the fastest growing wine regions in the country. While the region is best known for its sauvignon blancs, petit sirahs and big reds are gaining well deserved cachet. The Lake County wine-growing region blanketing the   Read more.

Hike-in breakfast with a view

If you live in the Bay Area, you owe it to yourself to experience this hike-in breakfast at least once. It’s only a 2-mile walk to West Point Inn on the slopes of Mount Tamalpais.  Read more.

Hiking ‘California’s Switzerland’

Frankie & Storm hiking in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Photo by Stephanie Clemens.

The Eastern Sierra is often referred to as “California’s Switzerland” for its jagged peaks and high-altitude attractions. The options for dog-friendly hikes in the region are limitless, and if you want to top off some exercise with a hearty meal, we have a couple of suggestions.  Read more.

Make it a family affair in Marin County

Photo by Marin Country Mart.

Marin County it’s been said, has a larger population of dogs than of children. Whether that’s urban legend or fact, residents are definitely known to dote on their four-legged family members.  Read more.

Swirl, sip and savor at Santa Cruz’s dog-friendly wineries

First-time visitors to Santa Cruz County usually have beaches in mind. But once they discover wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, one of the oldest in the state and known primarily for pinot noir and chardonnay, they’ll be herding their four-legged buddies into some of the dozens upon dozens of winery tasting rooms sprinkled throughout the county. DogTrekker.com has rounded many of th  Read more.

Yosemite is positively pawsome for dogs

Is Yosemite dog-friendly? Every DogTrekker headed in this direction wants to know. And the answer is…“Yes!”…with caveats.  Read more.

Raise a toast to Oaktown beer and wine

Paxton at Drake’s Dealership in Oakland. Photo by Rima Shahin.

Local flavor is what Oakland is all about, and the city’s urban wineries and craft breweries, many housed in renovated warehouse spaces, warmly welcome patrons with well behaved dogs.   Read more.

Lots to see and do in downtown Napa

Potential visitors to Napa Valley tend to think first of vine-covered hills dotted with wineries, wineries and more wineries. They’re all here, of course. But it would be a shame to bypass the city of Napa itself. A renaissance over the past two decades has transformed what once was the utilitarian center of wine country into a visitor destination packed with pizzazz.  Read more.

Waterfront Hotel
urban wine trail hotel package

Waterfront Hotel, Urban Wine Trail Hotel Package A trip to Oakland isn’t complete without tasting a little local flavor. Arrive to the Waterfront Hotel with this exclusive vacation package and enjoy a bottle of local Oakland wine for a sample of what’s to come. Then head out on Oakland’s Urban Wine Trail. Like everything else … Continued  Read more.

Make time for wine in Lake County

Lake County is dominated by – you got it – one of the largest bodies of water in the state. But Clear Lake, a popular vacation destination, is just one piece of a diverse county that is coming on strong as a fast-growing wine region with laid-back (and dog-friendly) appeal. The Lake County wine-growing region blanketing the eastern portion of the county is further divided into seven  Read more.

Sunny Tri-Valley wineries welcome dogs

The Tri-Valley region, an hour east of San Francisco, is nothing if not full of surprises, especially when it comes to wine. Production is centered in the rolling Livermore Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area), where the first grapes were planted in the 1840s. More than 50 wineries, two dozen of them proudly dog-friendly, have since sprung from the rich soil, and they’re all close enough   Read more.

A cluster of winery finds in Gold Country

Wine grapes were introduced to the Sierra Nevada foothills during the Gold Rush years, when miners were thirsty for refreshment and farmers eager to provide. Today, the Sierra Foothills AVA (American Viticultural Area) stretches from Yuba County in the north to Mariposa County in the south, with five smaller AVAs under the umbrella designation. Two of them, El Dorado and Fair Play, are in El Dorad  Read more.

Hop on over to Hopland

Photo by @suki_theshiba

Winery rich Mendocino County home to 10 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), a half-dozen of which are smaller regions lumped together under the over-arching Mendocino County label. While there are many dog-friendly tasting rooms scattered about, it makes sense for newbies to follow one of two designated “wine roads,” one tracing Highway 128 through the famed Anderson Valley, the other centered  Read more.

Rev up in Redding

Sundial Bridge. Photo by Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Redding (population about 100,000) is the Shasta Cascade region’s largest city, and it’s a great place to make base camp with your four-legged friend.  Read more.

Visit a family-friendly winery

Little humans as well as parents and four-legged family companions will enjoy an outing to a winery with things to do besides sample fruit of the vine. These three are in Sonoma County, but you’re sure to find others close to where you live.  Read more.

Make it a meal deal

Be sure to stash a few treats in your pocket so Spike won’t get jealous while the rest of you take your pick of food-truck fare and enjoy live music, kid zones and more at Off the Grid events in San Francisco and Sacramento.  Read more.

What’s cookin’ in Calaveras County

Any time’s a good time to head up Highway 4 to the hip and happening town of Murphys, but if you can be there in October, so much the better. That’s when the annual Grape Stomp Competition and Gold Rush Street Fair fills downtown streets with vendor booths and lots of people with bewildered dogs on the other end of the leash. It’s probably the first time Duke and Daisy (and   Read more.

Chow down in a Valley town

There’s no shortage of places in Tri-Valley to chow down at an outdoor table with your pup at your side. Enjoy the small town hospitality and laid-back vibe whether your choice is award-winning California cuisine, local farm-to-fork comfort food, rustic bistro classics or pubs featuring craft brews. Speaking of craft brews, nine out of the 14 dog-friendly breweries, tap rooms and restaurants  Read more.

Tri-Valley’s no-whine wineries

A laid-back atmosphere and dog-friendly vibe prevail at many Tri-Valley wineries where you can both make yourselves at home. Most establishments are located in the picturesque Livermore Valley, one of the country’s oldest winemaking regions. Wine-grape cultivation started here in the 1840s, and today, more than 50 wineries, 23 of them proudly dog-friendly, share an AVA whose terroir is chara  Read more.

Tri-Valley: Eat, drink & chill after the hike

If you plan to put on your hiking shoes and head out to enjoy the East Bay Regional Parks mentioned in this issue, we have just the place to refresh, relax and renew after the hike – the Tri-Valley region of California! Just a little over 30 miles from San Francisco on the sunny side of the bay, this area encompasses three valleys and four cities where dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, winer  Read more.

First stop: Start in Sacramento

The California capital makes a great jumping-off place for DogTrekkers poised for a trip to high country. Snuggle into a dog-friendly hotel, dine on a restaurant patio with your pup at your side, take a scenic hike on the American River Parkway, and you’ll be primed to head “up the hill” for your next stop on your high Sierra road trip.  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.

Gourmet chow-downs with your pup

The dog-friendly attitudes that prevail at Napa Valley wineries extend to many of the region’s famous restaurants, as well, meaning that as long as the weather is fair, you can dine at an outdoor table with Bodie at your side. Let’s start with the dog-friendly, Michelin-recognized places first.  Read more.

All paws welcome on the Napa Valley Vine Trail

Looking for ways to combine hiking with wine tasting and a really tasty lunch? A new opportunity for DogTrekkers awaits along the newly inaugurated Napa Valley Vine Trail, a paved, multiuse path that eventually will stretch 47 miles from the Vallejo ferry terminal to Calistoga. For now, a 12.5-mile segment from Napa’s Kennedy Park to the tony enclave of Yountville is ready for feet, paws and  Read more.

Weatherproof wine tasting with your dog

Wineries in the Napa Valley number in the hundreds, and it’s a rare facility open to the public that turns away imbibers with leashes in hand. While some facilities relegate four-legged guests to their picnic grounds, others invite furry friends to belly up to the bar with their people (yes, Lucy, that’s a jar of treats on the counter…). Here are some weatherproof suggestions fo  Read more.

Mammoth opportunities

Three hours south of Tahoe and five hours northeast from Los Angeles, Mammoth Lakes beckons not just downhill skiers, but DogTrekkers vacationing with their best four-legged friends.  Read more.

White wine on a winter’s day

Photo by @goldens_flutie_ferris.

Mendocino County’s wineries produce many reds, of course, but crisp viogniers and other whites are also specialties of the region, even on a winter's day.  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.

The healing powers of Healdsburg

Wine tasting at Portalupi. Photo by Lark Coryell.

What’s your pleasure? Cozy inns and memorable meals? Pre-holiday shopping? Wine tasting? You’ll find them all in Healdsburg, a charming and walkable town built around a plaza at the heart of the Russian River Valley. Scores of wineries are within easy striking distance of Healdsburg, but there are so many dog-friendly restaurants and tasting rooms in town (we’re partial to canine-welcoming T  Read more.

Your trip to the wine country begins in Vacaville

Ready for some wine tasting? The verdant Suisun Valley, about 20 minutes from downtown Vacaville, is home to numerous wineries that welcome canine guests in their picnic areas.  Read more.

Vine and dine in Sonoma

Sonoma County is one of California’s largest and most diverse regions—and one that can seem very close or very far away, depending on your time, destination and inclinations. For a day trip or quick weekend escape from Sacramento or San Francisco, the town of Sonoma charms with its historic square (no dogs on the grass, please), intriguing shops, dog-friendly sidewalk cafes and close-i  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.

North Coast winery ramble

If your dog is like most, she doesn’t give a sniff about how “approachable” the wine you’re sipping might be. She cares about how approachable the winery’s visitor facility is to canine guests. And in Mendocino County and elsewhere on the North Coast, you can pull up to any of scores of tasting rooms and be assured of a warm welcome.  Read more.

Doggedly exploring Amador County

Photo by @konabear_wolfdog

If there’s one part of California wine country getting an exceptional amount of buzz this past year, it’s Amador County—and specifically the Shenandoah Valley AVA, best known for its robust zinfandels. Most of the 20-plus wineries in this relatively compact area welcome dogs in their picnic areas if not their tasting rooms, but you’ll want to get settled into the night’s lodging before s  Read more.

From wine to bristlecone pines

Eastern Sierra dogs. Photo by Visit Mammoth Lakes.

There are many ways to get to the High Sierra, all of them scenic, some a little more leisurely and winding than others. If time permits and you like lots of diversion on a road trip, follow the Golden Chain Highway (aka Highway 49) south through Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties before cutting east through Yosemite National Park and taking Highway 20 (the Tioga Road) up and over 9  Read more.

Chow down

When it comes to dining in Greater Palm Springs, you’ll rarely have to wonder whether Kayla is welcome or not. After all, it’s nearly impossible to find a restaurant that doesn’t allow dogs on the patio. Dogs are welcomed like any other guest, with plenty of water bowls and treats to go around. Expect guests and staff alike to lavish your dog with love and attention. Ready to dig  Read more.

Dogs at Yosemite national park

Photo by Mick Haupt.

Yes, you can and should have your dog tag along on your next visit to Yosemite National Park, even though park rules restrict canine companions almost exclusively to campgrounds and paved roads and trails. There’s enough to see (and sniff) for both of you to stay engaged for least a couple of days—and this winter’s heavy precipitation brings the added advantage of budding gr  Read more.

Beer or wine, rain or shine

Northern California’s love affair with craft beer and local wines just keeps getting stronger, with new breweries and wineries springing up all over Oakland and the Tri-Valley region.  Read more.

Sip and stroll

Like wine tasting but don’t have the time or inclination to visit area wineries by car? With a growing number of tasting rooms in town, almost all of them dog-friendly, the two of you can stroll and sip at your own pace.  Read more.

Strut your stuff at yappy hour

Kayla on the patio at Cypress Inn Part of the fun of visiting Carmel with your four-legged BFF is sharing the village with other people holding a leash. You’ll meet plenty of kindred spirits of both the two- and four-legged varieties at the dog-centric Cypress Inn, which hosts daily “yappy hours” that include soft jazz entertainment around the Living Room fireplace on weekends.  Read more.

Take a walk on the wine side

Kristy and Sasha at Foursight Winery in Philo. Photo by Roger Coryell.

Photo courtesy: Foursight Wines Many Mendocino County visitors stay glued to the gorgeously sculpted coastline, but to do so is to miss out on star attractions such as the Anderson Valley wine region, bisected by Highway 128 and encompassing the Boonville, Philo, Yorkville Highlands and Navarro appellations.  Read more.

Howl-i-day winery party

Photo Credit: Brian Brooks (CC) If a visit to Sonoma Wine Country is on your December agenda, time your trip to take part in the Dec. 11 Ugly Sweater Howl-I-Day Party at Mutt Lynch Winery in Windsor. The sweater bit isn’t just for people; there’s an ugly sweater contest for pooches, too!  Read more.

Wags and wine

Ruka enjoying the scenery at Clos Du Val Winery. Photo Credit: Meg S. Meg S. sent in a great photo of her dog Ruka at Clos Du Val Winery in Napa Valley. Dogs are allowed in the tasting room! Thank you Meg for sharing your dog-friendly adventure with us!  Read more.

Take a Yolo County detour

Photo by Jesus Trevizo.

In Yolo County, Interstate 80 runs right past the UC Davis campus and within ball-throwing distance of Sudwerk, one of the state’s pioneering craft breweries.  Read more.

Vacaville, gateway to the wine country

Photo Credit: Liz Anderson Ready for some wine tasting? The verdant Suisun Valley, about 20 minutes from downtown Vacaville, is home to numerous wineries that welcome canine guests in their picnic areas. Wooden Valley Winery’s courtyard patio is an especially pleasant place to sit and sip with your pooch.  Read more.

Giacomo and gelsomina’s mountain paradise

Photo by Jamie Street.

Although Mount Laguna is about 50 miles from central San Diego, the spectacular scenery and climate are well worth the drive. This 6,000-foot altitude alpine area is an evergreen tree mountain paradise, nothing like the desert climate of San Diego. Expect significantly cooler temperatures. It actually receives snow in the winter.  Read more.

Sip ‘n’ sightsee with your dog

Photo Credit: JJ (CC) The Napa Valley wine region boasts about 120 wineries that welcome dogs on their grounds and/or their tasting rooms.  Read more.

Calistoga with your pup

Lupo at Castello di Amarosa. Photo by Castello di Amorosa.

Photo credit: eLjeProks (CC) Famous for its hot springs and namesake bottled water, dog-friendly Calistoga is a relaxing but lively destination at the north end of the Napa Valley, also reached by a short drive from nearby Santa Rosa. DogTrekkers will be happy to discover a wealth of wineries whose staffs won’t blink when four-legged guests walk in the door.  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.

Yolo county’s dog-friendly wineries

Yolo County, best known as the home of UC Davis, is also an emerging wine region bursting with dog-friendly surprises.   Read more.

Apple hill is wine country, too

Photo credit: Miss Chien (CC) California Gold Country has it all: rugged scenery, historic towns—and a booming wine industry that offers myriad opportunities for DogTrekkers. September and October, when after-harvest vines blaze orange and gold, are ideal months for venturing into the Apple Hill growing region of El Dorado County. You’ll find lots of fruit for sale at member farms and  Read more.

Enjoy farm-to-glass bounty in Sacramento

Norman visiting the CA State Capitol. Photo by Julie Christensen.

Norman visiting the CA State Capitol. Photo credit: Julie Christensen With more than 200 hundred wineries situated within a 75-mile radius of the state Capitol, Sacramento can lay claim to being a “farm-to-glass” capital as well as a capital of farm-to-fork cuisine.  Read more.

Fall into fall in sonoma wine country

Photo credit: Linda Rose If you and your fur buddy have only a day or two to spend in large and diverse Sonoma County, it’s wise to pick a region (such as the Alexander, Dry Creek or Russian River valleys) and stick to it. But you won’t have to spend all your time driving country roads. Sonoma’s urban areas also offer ample opportunities to taste, often within walking distance o  Read more.

Exploring napa’s ‘ghost wineries’

Photo credit: lizzie1326 (CC) Visit Napa Valley midweek or in fall/winter, and you’ll have an experience much different than on high-season weekends. And there’s no shortage of wineries that welcome four-legged visitors. With Halloween coming up, why not theme a day to the valley’s “ghost wineries,” a term given to a handful of resurrected facilities built between 1860 and 1900, before   Read more.

Wine, waves & woof in Mendocino county

Mendocino wine country can be broadly divided into two areas: the Highway 101 corridor encompassing Hopland, Willits and Ukiah; and the Yorkville Highlands/Anderson Valley growing areas along Highway 128. You’ll seldom be turned away for having a dog in your party.   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.

No-whine wine tasting in Sonoma County

Photo Credit: Jon Clegg (CC) Why take your dog on a wine-tasting excursion? Dogs like a change of scenery as much as their people do, and they’re welcome at almost every facility in winery-rich Sonoma County. Three major north-county appellations are represented by Wine Road, an association of wineries and lodgings in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys. Fido’s tail wi  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.

Wind up and wine down in Oakland

Jack London Square Summer days are great for long, lingering meals on the tail end of an outing with your pet. Lake Merritt, the large tidal lagoon in the center of town, is one of Oakland’s most popular jogging and dog-walking venues and a great place to go for a leg-stretch. Linger over an upscale lunch or dinner at Lake Chalet Seafood Bar, a special-occasion venue; or indulge in Italian   Read more.

Tri-valley chow-down

Pleasanton, a community of 75,000, is the wealthiest middle-size city in the country according to the 2010 national census, and it’s as pleasant as its name suggests when it comes to the Fido factor. Unlike other communities that block off streets and ban canines at farmers’ markets and street fairs, Pleasanton welcomes patrons with four-legged companions at its 1st Wednesday Street Pa  Read more.

Sacramento’s dog-friendly craft breweries

Photo by Track 7.

(CC) Sephiroty To say the craft-brewery scene has exploded in Sacramento is an understatement: the California capital just might lead the nation in number of craft breweries per capita, with 14 and counting establishments brewing their own beer within the city limits and more than two dozen others making suds elsewhere in Sacramento County.  Read more.

Woods humane society 2015

Holly is all smiles. We've talked before about SLO's own Woods Humane Society. Especially how their determination, creativity, and innovative community partnerships have made a life-saving difference to dogs, cats, and other creatures who find themselves needing homes and TLC.  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 paso robles wine country

DogTrekkers touring the Central Coast wine country will leave with happy tails after stopping by any one of the area’s dog-friendly wineries. We’ve paw-tested quite a few that are sure to please, but before we get started with winery suggestions, we have a couple of suggestions for wine-tasting visitors who’d prefer not to drive.  Read more.

Hidden gems in santa cruz

Enjoying the beautiful view. Photo by Susan Dog-friendly (and off-leash) hiking can be hard to come by in Santa Cruz, so Susan and her best friend Roobin were thrilled to discover Byrne-Milliron Forest. Miles of off-leash hiking trails, awesome giant redwoods, eye-popping vista points complete with rustic lounge chairs, picnic tables, water stations for dogs and humans and other amusing  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.

Mendocino’s inland empire

Skunk Train. Photo by Brendan McGuigan.

Many Mendocino County visitors stay glued to the scenic stretch of coastline between Little River and Fort Bragg, but to do so is to miss out on redwoods, wineries, off-the-beaten-path seaside preserves and small, inland towns that extend a warm welcome to travelers with pets.  Read more.

Sounds like sonoma wine country

Overlooking Sonoma County. Angie Bartholomew (CC) Rural but sophisticated? Away from it all but not far from home? Sounds like Sonoma County, where cabin and cottage retreats are as much a part of the landscape as towering redwoods and vineyard-covered hills.  Read more.

Farm-to-glass delights

With more than 200 wineries situated within a 75-mile radius of the state Capitol, Sacramento can lay claim to being a “farm-to-glass” capital as well as a capital of farm-to-fork cuisine.   Read more.

Chow down in Sacramento

I'll have the chicken salad... Photo:Kennejima Several years ago, Sacramento branded itself “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital.” And no wonder: virtually every independently-owned restaurant in town prides itself on fresh ingredients sourced from Central Valley farms within just a few miles of town. With 2014 passage of a statewide law giving formal permission for dogs to join their people at o  Read more.

Dog-friendly wineries in Placer County

Pescadore Vineyard. (CC) Howard Koons 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 a few of our favorites in Placer County.  Read more.

Dog-friendly wineries in Amador County

Amador County, best known for its robust zinfandels, is home to more than 40 tasting rooms in the Shenandoah Valley, Fiddletown, Sutter Creek, Willow Creek and Ione areas.  Read more.

Exploring greater Sacramento’s wine regions

Sacramento's self-proclaimed title as "America's Farm-to-Fork Capital," and regional wineries are a big part of the picture.  Read more.

Dog-friendly wineries in El Dorado County

Madrona Winery (CC) Stephen Curtin. 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 El Dorado County.  Read more.

Dog-friendly wineries in the gold country

Gold Country - Somerset wine dog California Gold Country hugs the western slope of the Sierra Nevada and is home to hundreds of wineries. Many offer free tastings, intimate access to the winemaking process and personal welcomes from the winemakers.  Read more.

Dog-friendly wineries in napa valley

QQ in Napa 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 Napa Valley.   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.

Dog-friendly wineries in Mendocino county

Wine dog at Toulouse Winery. (CC) Mk30 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 Mendocino County.  Read more.

Dog-friendly wineries in Sonoma County

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 a few of our favorites in Sonoma County.  Read more.

Lead me to lodi

Photo by Viaggio Winery.

Lodi is a San Joaquin County town and wine region 35 miles south of Sacramento. It is an up-and-coming visitor destination that boasts some 90 wineries, many with dog-friendly grounds and tasting rooms that are sure to impress.  Read more.

Yearning for yolo

Photo by Alison Pang.

You can’t know what you’re missing if you don’t pull off the highway, and for DogTrekkers speeding through Yolo County on Interstate 80, there are myriad reasons to put on the brakes and clip on the leash.  Read more.

Calistoga on a leash

I Love Calistoga art. Photo by Tim Carl.

A welcoming destination with a rich history, the charming town of Calistoga caps the far north end of the Napa alley like a cork in a bottle. Recently named one of the ten best small towns in America by Fodors Travel, Calistoga encourages visitors to stay a little longer, with small-town ambience, dog-friendly dining and lodging options, the walkability factor and the many wineries that roll out t  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.

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.

Sunday in sonoma wine country

The old proverb 'Let Sleeping Dogs Lie' doesn't apply at family and dog-friendly Larson Family Winery, located in the heart of of the Carneros region of Sonoma. Both Bubba and Petey are up for a nice belly rub or back scratch from visitors to the tasting room. DogTrekker.com Paw-Tester, Danielle Kendrick, found these two hanging out in the tasting room during a recent visit to Larson  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.

Vroom over to vacaville

Lagoon Valley Park, Vacaville.

Sometimes the places in our own backyard are the least explored. And for many Northern Californians, Vacaville, a familiar name on Interstate 80, is one of them.  Read more.

Romantic retreats worth woofing about

It's February, and Cupid is calling. Time to sniff out an alpine love nest, just for the three of you. Don’t worry about the weather, as romantic splurges are as much about cuddling as exploring the destination.  Read more.

Trekking in temecula

Southern California’s high-desert wine country is centered around the town of Temecula, 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 60 miles north of San Diego.  Read more.

Dog-friendly wine itineraries

Since the launch of DogTrekker.com, interest in dog-friendly wineries has soared, making them the most sought-after attractions on DogTrekker.com. In an effort to provide you and your four-legged friends with the most complete and accurate guide to California wine regions, we have launched an Itineraries section, accessible from the navigation bar on all pages of the site.  Read more.

Just tri it

Dog at Concannon Winery The Tri-Valley region is sometimes wrongly dismissed by those who don’t live there as a drive-by destination on the way to somewhere else. That’s their loss and your gain. The  intrepid DogTrekkers who take time to explore this East Bay region encompassing three adjacent valleys and five dog-friendly communities are amply rewarded.  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.

Sniff and smell the apples

September in El Dorado County means apples—lots and lots of apples and all thegood things, from cider to pie, that go with them. More than 50 family-owned ranches on the north side of Highway 50 between Placerville and Pollock Pines count themselves as Apple Hill Growers, and it’s a rare property indeed that doesn’t welcome visitors with dogs during the   Read more.

Explore the countryside

Photo by Jetsetting Fashionista.

The words “wine” and “Sacramento” may not seem to go together—until you realize more than 200 wineries and tasting rooms are situated within 75 miles of the state capital.  Read more.

Explore Sacramento and folsom

Buddy jumped 26 feet at Splash Dogs in Folsom No, gold wasn’t found in Sacramento or Folsom. But both cities played huge roles in the Gold Rush as supply centers, and both celebrate that legacy today. Old Sacramento and the Folsom Historic District are great places to explore with your pooch. Browse the shops, soak up some history and enjoy a meal at a patio café before heading out for a stroll  Read more.

Paw-tested wineries

Concannon Winery dogs With 40-plus wineries tucked into a landscape of rolling hills and sun-dappled valleys, the Livermore Valley Wine Country shares a landscape very similar to the more famous valley with a name beginning with the letter “N.”  Read more.

Chow time in marin

Sunny days are made for Fish. That’s “Fish.” with a period, which is what this dressed-up New England seafood shack in Sausalito is all about. Order your chowder, barbecued oysters or daily special at the counter, then retreat to a table on the big, dog-friendly deck perched above a harbor where sailboats bob and the views are smile-inspiring.  Read more.

Woof it up in wine-country luxury

Dog at Carneros Resort. Photo by Carneros Resort.

If you truly want to impress your Valentine, and your dog, look no farther than Carneros Inn, a bucolic, luxury retreat surrounded by vineyards in the wine-growing region at the southernmost end of the  Napa and Sonoma valleys.  Read more.

Dog-friendly folsom

Johnny Cash may have put Folsom on America's mental map. but visitors don't sing the blues once they experience the vitality of this historic little city at the western gateway to California Gold Country.  Read more.

The grape side of Mendocino

Mendocino wine country can be broadly divided into two areas: the Highway 101 corridor encompassing Hopland, Willits and Ukiah; and the Yorkville Highlands/Anderson Valley growing areas along Highway 128.  Read more.

Downtown dogs in santa cruz

As we reported last year, the City of Santa Cruz had a longstanding ban on dogs, even the leashed, licensed and well-behaved, from its downtown area, causing painful surprise to many visitors. We're pleased to report that in response not only to the local dog community but merchants who complained that they were tired of losing tourist business to more dog-friendly towns like Carmel, the city  Read more.

Sniffing out tasty wine

If your dog is like most dogs, he doesn’t give a woof about the raspberry and leather notes that distinguish a 2009 pinot from its 2011 counterpart. What matters to Max is a comfortable place to curl at your feet while you imbibe. There’s no shortage of wineries that fit the bill in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley, an area bisected by Highway 128 and encompassin  Read more.

Dog-friendly Stanford Inn, Mendocino

Photo by Stanford Inn.

One of Mendocino's favorite dog-friendly inns is the Stanford Inn by the Sea. Featured in Oprah Magazine and more than 139 other publications, as well as on TV, this hillside resort overlooking the rugged Mendocino coast was one of the first inns in North America to adopt sustainable practices. On top of that, the “pets welcome” sign has been out for decades!    Read more.

Pet-friendly monterey wine country

A visit to Carmel Valley takes you right to the center of Monterey Wine Country, where a community of family-owned wineries welcome you and your four-legged friends.  Read more.

Dining in Mendocino county with your dog

Charming Mendocino village and the nearby community of Little River are at the center of the culinary action in this part of Mendocino County.  Read more.

Let’s talk turkey

Photo by Mart Production.

We all have our favorite family recipes for Thanksgiving. Here's a healthy pet meal, provided by Linda McGlothen of Sacramento,   Read more.

Grape connection

Photo by Mutt Lynch Winery.

A gift of wine is always appreciated, and your dog-loving recipient is sure to howl with joy  Read more.

Pooches in paraiso

They used to call it Steinbeck Wine Country, and the views celebrated in "East of Eden" are just as bucolic as in the famous author's time. Nowadays, 12 wineries hugging the hills above Steinbeck's old haunts in the Salinas Valley market themselves as the River Road Wine Trail, and word about their great wines and unpretentious tasting rooms is getting out. Travelers who explore   Read more.

Bark for bocce

Gold Rush entrepreneur Sam Brannan founded Calistoga with the intent of harnessing its hot springs and making it the "Saratoga of California." In one of California history's most oft-quoted slips of the tongue, he famously uttered the words "Calistoga of Sarifornia" instead. People still come here for the hot springs and mud baths, but we bet your pooch can find plenty of mud on his own. Might we   Read more.

South bay ramble

Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, situated in the hills above San Carlos and Redwood City in San Mateo County, is a cherished spot for dog owners seeking off-leash play areas for their furry companions. Spanning over 300 acres, the preserve offers a unique blend of natural beauty and dog-friendly amenities, providing a space where both … Continued  Read more.

Bark for benicia

Photo by Cristina Glebova.

Yelp, we thought that seeing this Solano County town in the No. 4 slot on the Dog Fancy list would elicit yowls of surprise. Yet behind all those happily wagging tails in Benicia is a community of dog lovers who worked hard to create amenities such as Phenix Community Dog Park, and a pair of leash-free beaches on the Carquinez Strait at the edge of downtown.  Read more.

Wine with spirits

Tis the season for all things haunted, so why not evoke some ghostly spirits with your Cabernet? Delightfully secluded at the end of a long, win  Read more.

The Stanford Inn – authentically eco-minded

Photo by Stanford Inn.

Since the early 1980s, the dog-passionate Stanford Inn owners Joan and Jeff Stanford have been guided by a purpose-driven, light-on-the-land mindset. That ethic influences everything at the resort, including room amenities, menu items, guest programs, conservation practices and even cleaning products.  Read more.