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.
Paws and patios: Where to eat in GOCAL
GOCAL — Greater Ontario, California — has built a reputation for year-round, dog-friendly patio dining. Three favorite spots to eat on a patio with your dog: Popping Yolk Café for brunch, Lazy Dog for dinner with an actual dog menu…
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Best dog-friendly places to eat in San Mateo County
San Mateo County serves up some of California's best dog-friendly dining, from beachside lobster rolls at Sam's Chowder House to craft beer at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. Expect water bowls, friendly servers and pups lounging under every patio table.
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Mendocino’s inland empire
Mendocino County's inland treasures include the Anderson Valley wine road with dog-friendly tasting rooms, the drive-through Chandelier Tree in Leggett and farm-to-table dining in Boonville. Wine, redwoods and warm welcomes abound.
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Exploring dog-friendly Lake Tahoe: An adventurer’s guide
Lake Tahoe welcomes dogs at sandy beaches like Kiva and Lake Forest, on forested trails from easy loops to summit hikes, and at patio restaurants with treats at the ready. This guide covers everything you need for a Tahoe trip…
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Sample fresh flavors in Sacramento
Sacramento, America's Farm-to-Fork Capital, is a standout dog-friendly destination with miles of trails, dozens of parks, and patio restaurants serving field-fresh cuisine. Follow Highway 50 east to the Apple Hill wine trail, where many family wineries welcome pups on their…
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Farm-to-glass delights
Sacramento's farm-to-glass wine scene includes two urban wineries with dog-friendly patios downtown, Revolution Wines and Cabana Winery, plus a growing cluster of boutique wineries in the nearby Clarksburg region along the scenic Sacramento River corridor.
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2024 Go California Photo Contest winners
Hundreds of entries poured in for DogTrekker's 2024 Go California Photo Contest, and thousands voted for their favorites. Meet the winning pups, including two Pomeranians waving from Glacier Point and a sidecar-riding dog cruising through Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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Breaking news from the Bay Area
Great news for Bay Area dog owners. The East Bay Regional Park District has dropped dog fees in 2025, giving pups free access to 73 parks with 1,250 miles of trails across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Pleasant Hill makes…
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Gourmet chow-downs with your pup
Napa Valley's dog-friendly dining scene goes well beyond picnic tables. Michelin-starred Bouchon, farm-to-fork Farmstead, and acclaimed Morimoto all welcome diners with leashed companions on their outdoor patios, alongside local favorites like Gott's Roadside and Napa General Store.
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Sacramento DIY tasting tours with an artsy twist
Sacramento's thriving craft beer scene and easy access to top wine producers make it a tasting tour hotspot, with dog-friendly taprooms and Instagram-worthy murals along the way. Start at the Hyatt Centric Downtown and explore patio breweries within walking distance.
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Four-paw fun, from harvest into the holidays
Fall on California's North Coast shines at the Stanford Inn and throughout Mendocino County, with Harvest Mendocino events from late October through mid-November. Sample regional bounty, ride the Mushroom Train through redwoods, and stay for holiday sparkle into the new…
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A dreamy setting for romantic retreats
Couples choose the Stanford Inn by the Sea for weddings, anniversaries, and romantic reconnections, drawn by its coastal beauty, garden setting, and dog-friendly hospitality in Mendocino. Wake to ocean views, unwind with spa treatments, and stroll the bluffs with your…
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Bark and Meow Around the Block
Berkeley Humane's Bark and Meow Around the Block street fair returns August 23 at 2700 Ninth Street in Berkeley. Hundreds of adoptable dogs from more than two dozen Bay Area shelters will be on hand, alongside live music, food trucks…
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Mindful hospitality with a pet-centric pedigree
The Stanford Inn practices mindful, personal hospitality in an era of screens and contactless check-ins, putting people, pups, and the planet first. This family-run Mendocino resort has spent forty-five years curating genuine guest experiences rooted in warmth and environmental care.
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On the go in pup-centric Sacramento
Sacramento's parks and multi-use trails are a dog lover's paradise, from the 32-mile American River Parkway to the tree-lined paths around Capitol Park. The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel welcomes dogs with no pet fees, no size limits, and evening wine receptions.
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The ulti-mutt in farm-fresh dining in Sacramento
Sacramento earns its title as America's Farm-to-Fork Capital with 1.5 million acres of farmland and incredible local chefs serving fresh, seasonal ingredients. The dog-friendly Citizen Hotel puts you two blocks from Capitol Park and steps from Michelin-recommended dining.
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Dog-friendly dining on a riverfront patio
Noyo Harbor Inn's HarborView Bistro and Bar in Fort Bragg serves fresh seafood and California wines on a riverfront patio where dogs are welcome. Watch fishing boats drift by over brunch, happy hour, or a locally sourced dinner with sunset…
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Sit, stay and splash in Siskiyou County
Siskiyou County raises the bar for dog-friendly travel with swimming holes, brewery patios, waterfall hikes, and cozy lodging near Mount Shasta. Follow the McCloud River past three waterfalls, explore old-growth forests, and unwind with a pint at a dog-welcoming alehouse.
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Local pints, with your pup by your side
Mendocino County's beer trail winds from coastal Fort Bragg taprooms to inland gems like Anderson Valley Brewing Company's 30-acre beer park. Pet-friendly patios, fresh pub fare, and creative craft beers make this a tail-wagging tasting tour for dogs and their…
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Dog-friendly Bishop, California: Small town, big adventures
Bishop sits at 4,000 feet in the Eastern Sierra, offering dog-friendly trails, alpine lakes, budget-friendly hotels, and outdoor dining patios. From Bishop Creek Canyon hikes to peaceful Owens River walks, this small town delivers big adventures for dogs and their…
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Wags and wine in Lake County
Lake County boasts the most dog-friendly wine country in the U.S., with over 30 wineries welcoming pups. Explore private trails at Six Sigma Ranch, paddle spring-fed Blue Lakes, and linger over alfresco dining at patio restaurants throughout the county.
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Tails from Tahoe: The Tunnel Creek Cafe
DogTrekker Laura M. shares her experience at the Tunnel Creek Cafe near Lake Tahoe, where the staff welcomed her two dogs like family. After hiking up the hill, they enjoyed lunch at this genuinely dog-loving spot.
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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…
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Paw your way to High Camp
Palisades Tahoe's dog-friendly aerial tram whisks you and your pup 2,000 feet up to High Camp, where hiking trails wind through wildflower meadows and down Shirley Canyon. Four-legged hikers ride free, and food awaits at both ends.
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