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.
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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Choose Redding. Meet outside the meeting
This summer, choose Redding, where every gathering becomes a memory in the making. Set along the Sacramento River and framed by Northern California’s forests and lakes, Redding offers an unhurried place to connect. Here, the agenda is yours to…
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Effortless day trips and outdoor adventures
Sacramento sits within a short drive of some of California's most iconic activities, including many delightfully dog-friendly options. It’s easy to choose your own adventure here, whether you'd like to taste small-batch wines, hike ruggedly beautiful trails, survey the state's…
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Start your day the local way
In Sacramento, mornings move at an easy pace. Greet the day on the American River Parkway, where dog walkers can wander for miles, or play fetch in a neighborhood park. From there, swing by one of the city’s many coffee…
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California’s best coastal dog-friendly towns
From Mendocino's Victorian headlands to Laguna Beach's gallery-lined streets, California's best coastal towns have quietly reshaped themselves around four-legged visitors. Expect water bowls at storefronts, treats at hotel check-in and patios where dogs are the guests of honor.
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Gathering places for pups and people
Some of Sacramento's most dog-friendly spots double as social spaces that connect travelers with friendly locals. By striking up a conversation, you'll often get the inside scoop on the best parks, restaurants, shops and trails for pups. These paw-some playgrounds…
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Dog-friendly trails and outdoor adventures near Yosemite this spring
If your dog measures joy in miles, spring in Yosemite Mariposa County delivers. Dog-friendly trails inside the Valley and throughout nearby national forest lands offer space to roam beneath towering granite cliffs and whispering pines. Visit midweek for open trailheads…
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California hotels that don’t just tolerate dogs—they adore them
From Cypress Inn's Yappy Hours in Carmel to canine massages at Nick's Cove in Marin, these California hotels genuinely love dogs. Expect welcome treats, dedicated pet menus, adventure packages and luxury bedding designed for four-legged guests.
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The best dog-friendly hotels in Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe's clear blue water, miles of shoreline, and endless trails make it a top destination for dog owners. From the modern Basecamp Hotel to the luxury Landing Resort and the quiet Cedar Glen Lodge, these are the best dog-friendly…
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The best ultra dog-friendly hotels in Southern California
Southern California's best dog-friendly hotels go far beyond a simple pets-allowed policy. From Loews Coronado Bay's bayside paths to La Quinta Resort's 45 acres of gardens, these properties treat dogs like honored guests with dedicated amenities and genuine hospitality.
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2025 award-winning dog-friendly hotels
From Big Bear's lakefront boutique hotels to Huntington Beach's award-winning resort and West Hollywood's rooftop patios, these 2025 award-winning properties set the standard for dog-friendly hospitality across California. Pack treats and start planning.
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Fetch the perfect spring escape in Greater Palm Springs
Spring is the perfect time to explore Greater Palm Springs with your pup — mild temperatures, desert blooms, and dog-friendly trails, hotels, and patios. Our guide covers Mission Creek, Whitewater, La Quinta Resort, Boozehounds and more, plus how to time…
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Make Apple Hill a dog-friendly tradition
El Dorado County's Apple Hill region has over 50 family-owned farms, ranches and wineries that welcome leashed dogs. Visit in fall for fresh cider, pie and u-pick orchards, or anytime for wine tasting with scenic vineyard views.
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Just a few rooms left for Pup Palooza!
Little River Inn hosts Pup Palooza, a lively spring celebration benefiting the Mendocino Coast Humane Society. Dog painting, wine tasting, training workshops, and costume contests fill the day, and lodging packages make it easy to stay the full weekend.
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The Stanford Inn: Eco-minded, perfect for pups
The Stanford Inn by the Sea on the Mendocino coast is a dog-friendly gem run by a family of animal lovers. Gorgeous grounds, plant-based dining, and ocean views make it a top pick for pups.
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The whole team is welcome in Redding
Meetings look different in Redding, especially for small teams looking for destinations where dogs can be seamlessly integrated into the experience.
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