Hiking, parks, gardens Blog

Hiking, Parks and Gardens – can you say happy dog? DogTrekker has you covered with some great stories about the best hikes, parks and gardens for you. Whether you are looking for a quiet stroll through the park or an adventurous hike to a remote location, we have something for everyone. From the great outdoors to urban adventures, we’ve got it all covered. So don’t forget your pup when planning your next adventure – DogTrekker is here to help! Happy trails!

Experience Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta City offers dog-friendly shops, cafes, and trails in the shadow of one of California's most awe-inspiring peaks. Hike the Lake Siskiyou Trail, drive the Everitt Memorial Highway to 8,000 feet, and walk to the snow even in summer.

East Bay getaways with your dog

The East Bay is rich with dog-friendly parks, from the volcanic trails at Sibley Reserve to off-leash romps at Point Isabel with Golden Gate views. Redwood Regional Park, Briones, and Shoreline Park round out the lineup.

Yearning for Yolo

Yolo County rewards those who pull off the highway with dog-friendly tasting rooms in Winters, farm tours in the Capay Valley, new wineries along the Sacramento River in Clarksburg and patio dining throughout.

Moseying through Mendocino County

A dog-friendly road trip up the Mendocino coast covers bluff trails in Gualala, the Stornetta National Monument near Point Arena, Victorian Mendocino village, and Fort Bragg, with cozy inns and vacation rentals along the way.

Dog-friendly beaches of San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo County's coastline is loaded with dog-friendly beaches, from leash-required state strands at Pismo and Cayucos to the off-leash fun at Olde Port Beach in Avila, where bonfires and ball-chasing await.

Dog-friendly Paso Robles wine country

Paso Robles wine country rolls out the welcome mat for dogs at dozens of wineries along the Highway 46 wine trails. Hop-on tour services and private guides make it easy to sip and explore without driving.

Huge fields of lupines blooming near Folsom Reservoir.

Gold Country flower power five favorite dog-friendly hikes

Spring wildflowers light up Gold Country trails from February through May. Here are five favorite dog-friendly hikes, including Hite Cove near Yosemite, Hidden Falls in Placer County and Buttermilk Bend along the South Yuba River.

Lola and Leroy on an adventure in Gold Country.

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.

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…

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.

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.

Make a splash on the Sonoma shore

The Sonoma County coast offers dog-friendly beaches, bluff-top trails, and river adventures. Walk the Bird Walk trail at Bodega Bay, hike six coastal access trails near the Mendocino County border, or float the Russian River in a dog-friendly inflatable canoe.

Halloween theme: dog in ghost costume with pumpkins on dark background.Generative Ai

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.

John Muir’s legacy in Contra Costa County

The John Muir Land Trust manages over 2,000 acres of open space in Contra Costa County where dogs with reliable recall can hike off-leash. Properties range from compact Acalanes Ridge in Lafayette to the sprawling Franklin Canyon-Fernandez Ranch complex.

Sonoma County regional parks with your pup

Sonoma County's regional parks feature more than 140 miles of trails through beaches, forests, lakes, and meadows. Highlights include rugged Hood Mountain near Santa Rosa, the Bird Walk trail at Bodega Bay, and the stunning Pinnacle Gulch coastal loop.

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.

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.

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.

Shasta County gushers near Redding

Spring is prime time to hike to the four major waterfalls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area near Redding. This is one of the rare National Park Service sites that allows leashed dogs on dirt trails.

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.

Bright Red Golden Retriever Dog by the River — Adobe Images

East Bay hikes for fresh-air fiends

The East Bay and Tri-Valley offer outstanding hiking for you and your dog, from the compact Acalanes Ridge to the 5,000-acre Del Valle Regional Park. East Bay Regional Park District properties welcome off-leash dogs with reliable recall.

Tiptoe through the tulips in Davis

The UC Davis Arboretum offers a peaceful, dog-friendly stroll through 100 acres of botanical gardens along Putah Creek. With plantings from around the globe and plenty of benches, it's a perfect spring outing for you and your leashed pup.

Waggin’ Trails Rescue Foundation

Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation pulls about 50 dogs each month from overcrowded and underfunded California shelters, providing vet care and foster homes before transporting them to rescue partners where loving families are waiting to adopt.

Wet ‘n’ wild in SoCal

Southern California's mountain waterfalls run strong after winter rains, and two standout hikes welcome leashed dogs. Escondido Canyon near Malibu features a 150-foot seasonal cascade, while Eaton Canyon Falls in Pasadena offers a family-friendly trail to a splashing 40-foot drop.

Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens near me..

Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens Blog