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.
El Dorado County’s adventure loop
The El Dorado County Adventure Loop packs 45 miles of Gold Country exploration into one weekend, with dog-friendly hiking at Cronan Ranch, wine tasting at Jose Wine Caves and Gold Rush history in Coloma.
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Kayla puttin’ on the Ritz
DogTrekker's Kayla put on the Ritz at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, where dogs get cozy beds, gourmet treats, and weekend Yappy Hours on the Backyard Terrace featuring canine cocktails and locally made dog bones. The pampering starts the moment you…
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Meandering the Mendo Coast with your dog
Mendocino County's 102 miles of winding coastline reward slow travelers with leash-free beaches, Glass Beach, botanical gardens, scenic trails through MacKerricher State Park and cozy seaside lodgings from Fort Bragg to Gualala.
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Traveling the SLO lane with your dog
San Luis Obispo County's 70 miles of Highway 1 coastline offer dog-friendly beaches, off-leash coves, patio dining and charming inns from San Simeon to Pismo Beach. Your pup will love every sandy, sun-soaked mile of this Central Coast road trip.
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Exploring Napa’s ‘ghost wineries’
Napa Valley's "ghost wineries" are historic facilities built between 1860 and 1900 that have been beautifully restored. Dog-friendly Regusci and Flora Springs welcome four-legged visitors to their grounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails for a quieter side of wine country.
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Napa Valley leg-stretchers
After wine tasting in Napa Valley, burn off those calories with your dog at Canine Commons in Alston Park, where off-leash play awaits. Westwood Hills Park and the downtown River Walk offer more leashed options with vineyard and city views.
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Discover the ‘Lost Sierra’
The Lost Sierra region in Plumas County, an hour north of Lake Tahoe, offers a refreshing alternative to crowded mountain resorts. Dog-friendly lodges like Chalet View and Gray Eagle pair with over a million acres of Plumas National Forest trails.
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Giacomo and Gelsomina’s mountain paradise
Jill M. and her dogs Giacomo and Gelsomina share their favorite hiking spot: the Mount Laguna Recreation Area inside Cleveland National Forest, where dogs are allowed off-leash on trails winding through pine forests and mountain meadows near San Diego.
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Lots to wag about in Tri-Valley
The Tri-Valley communities of Pleasanton, Danville, Livermore, and Dublin are loaded with dog-friendly restaurants, pet boutiques, wine bars, and street fairs. Four adjacent valleys offer a refreshing weekend escape for San Francisco and Sacramento day-trippers with dogs.
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Mariposa County (west/Arch Rock) entrance
Mariposa County's Highway 140 corridor to Yosemite's west entrance offers dog-friendly wineries, charming cafes and a range of lodging from the rustic Yosemite Bug resort to riverside rooms at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal.
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Tuolumne County (north/Big Oak Flat) entrance
The Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite runs through rugged Tuolumne County, where dog-friendly lodging, dining and hikes line the route. Stop in historic Coulterville at the Hotel Jeffery or take the scenic John Muir Highway through Gold Country.
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Humane Society of Tuolumne County
The Humane Society of Tuolumne County saved Abbott, a young Dane mix who needed two surgeries after swallowing a corncob. This no-kill shelter in Jamestown also provides low-cost spay and neuter services and humane education for the community.
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Up the hill in Placerville with your furry sidekick
Placerville, once known as Hangtown, is now one of Gold Country's most dog-friendly towns. Check into the historic Cary House Hotel, dine on Main Street patios, hike along the American River and explore nearby Apple Hill with your pup.
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Summer fun with your pup in Folsom
Folsom blends Gold Rush history with modern outdoor fun. Stroll dog-friendly Old Town, hike 50-plus miles of paved trails including the Johnny Cash Trail, cool off at Lake Natoma and let your pup run free at Fido Field dog park.
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Wine time! Paws up for these Mendo wineries
Mendocino County has nearly four dozen dog-friendly wineries along the Highway 128 and Highway 101 corridors. From laid-back Navarro Vineyards in the Anderson Valley to family-owned tasting rooms in Hopland, wine touring with your pup is easy here.
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Mendocino County ‘hole in one’
The Madrones in Philo, Mendocino County, bundles a tasting room, wood-fired restaurant, wellness spa, and five pet-friendly guest quarters into one Italian-style compound. Next door, The Brambles offers quirky Victorian cabins in the redwoods.
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Gold Country wine trail
The Placer Wine Trail features 20 boutique wineries in the Sierra Foothills near Auburn. Most are family owned and dog-friendly, including Vina Castellano, where pups are welcome in the tasting room, on the patio, and out by the pond.
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Lake County hideaway
Bed and Barrel at Stonehouse Cellars in Lake County Clearlake Oaks is a winery, tasting room, and B&B where dogs roam free. Nearby, Clear Lake and Blue Lakes offer swimming, fishing, and boat rentals for the whole family.
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Pumpkin patches and wine, oh my!
October is the perfect time to visit the Suisun Valley between Vacaville and Davis. Vineyards blaze with fall color, pumpkin patches are in full swing, and dog-friendly wineries welcome you and your pup for tastings and bocce.
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Silicon Valley through a DogTrekker lens
Silicon Valley hides a wine region in plain sight. The Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail links 34 family-owned wineries near Gilroy, many welcoming dogs. At Kirigin Cellars, bring a tennis ball for fetch between tastings.
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Can you Suisun? If you haven’t, go soon!
Solano County's Suisun Valley is a wine country hidden gem just off Interstate 80 near Vacaville. With vineyards dating to the 1880s and a growing roster of dog-friendly tasting rooms, it's well worth pulling off the highway to explore.
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Greater Ontario, gateway to the SoCal experience
Greater Ontario is a pet-friendly gateway to Southern California adventure. With affordable hotels, free parking and easy access to lakes, deserts, vineyards and the Pacific Ocean, it's the perfect base for exploring SoCal with your dog in any direction.
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Go stroll (safely)
Beat the GOCAL summer heat by walking your dog during cooler morning and evening hours. Ontario Town Square, the Claremont colleges, San Antonio Creek Trail and Haven City Market offer shaded, scenic routes for safe warm-weather strolls.
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The simple phone script that bypasses hotel pet restrictions
A simple phone call and a "canine resume" can help your large dog get past strict hotel weight limits. By proactively marketing your pup's good behavior, training credentials and calm temperament, you can open doors that online booking cannot.
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