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!
ADA accessible dog-friendly trails in Gold Country
Gold Country is best known for its Gold Rush history, but this stretch of the Sierra Nevada foothills also holds some of California’s most rewarding accessible trails — places where handlers with mobility needs and their dogs can explore paved…
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The dog parks worth driving to in Orange County
Orange County has a dog park problem, but it’s the good kind: too many solid options and not enough weekends. The county stretches from beach towns to inland suburbs, and the dog parks reflect that range. Some are sandy and…
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Best dog-friendly trails in California
California has more dog-friendly trails than any reasonable person could hike in a lifetime. We've narrowed it down to ten picks that deliver the best combination of scenery, dog access, and that post-hike feeling of having actually done something with…
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A Greater Palm Springs dog-friendly itinerary for four-legged fun
A dog-friendly day-and-night itinerary for Greater Palm Springs — morning trails at Whitewater or Homme/Adams, El Paseo strolling, Moorten Botanical Garden, pool-side afternoons, and patio dinners at Boozehounds or Jake's. Plus ideas to stretch it into a full weekend.
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Four-legged fun: A dog-friendly itinerary
A three-day dog-friendly Greater Palm Springs itinerary across the nine-city region. Trail mornings at Homestead and Whitewater, afternoons on El Paseo, breweries and patios, plus desert-travel tips for keeping your pup safe in the sun.
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Hit the road for Sacramento, the ultimate dog-friendly basecamp
Sacramento's central location makes it a perfect launchpad for Northern California adventures with your dog. Riverfront strolls, dog-welcoming patios, plus easy day trips through Gold Country, Amador and El Dorado wineries, and the High Sierra from a single capital-city basecamp.
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Winter hikes in California: A DogTrekker guide
While winter means snowflakes elsewhere, California's warmer destinations make for quieter, dog-friendly trail days. Four best-in-show playgrounds to explore with your pup this season—from coastal Mendocino and Greater Ontario to Redding's Sacramento River trails and the fee-free East Bay Regional…
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Favorite California campgrounds for dog lovers
From Woods Lake Campground near Carson Pass to Nevada Beach on Lake Tahoe's shore, California has paw-tested campgrounds worth returning to year after year. Pfeiffer Big Sur offers magical redwood settings, while Bothe-Napa Valley puts you minutes from wine country.
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Dog-friendly campsites in northern California
A roundup of exceptional dog-friendly campgrounds across Northern California, from spacious Gerle Creek Reservoir sites to wildflower-rich Woods Lake near Carson Pass, secluded Kidd Lake, coastal MacKerricher State Park, and the redwood groves of Pfeiffer Big Sur.
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Top paw-tested campgrounds
From MacKerricher State Park on the Mendocino coast to Pfeiffer Big Sur in the redwoods and Pismo State Beach on the Central Coast, these paw-tested California campgrounds keep dogs and their people coming back year after year.
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Bark for some of our favorite dog-friendly campgrounds
From Mammoth Lakes to Lake Tahoe to the Highway 88 corridor, California offers incredible dog-friendly campgrounds in diverse settings. Here are some of our favorite spots to pitch a tent, park an RV, or rent a cabin with your pup.
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A few of our favorite dog-friendly campgrounds
Unlike most state parks, national forest campgrounds let dogs hit the trails. Crystal Basin Recreation Area and the Carson Pass region in the Sierra offer hundreds of dog-friendly campsites and miles of trails through stunning alpine scenery.
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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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Special adventures for furry friends in Mendocino
Mendocino County is packed with dog-friendly adventures, from the classic Skunk Train to kayaking sea caves with the Little River Inn's Water Dog package. Add uncrowded beaches, botanical gardens, and Glass Beach to fill out a memorable visit.
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Book your next play-cation in Redding
Surrounded by mountains with miles of pet-friendly hiking and biking trails, a river running through it and nine national and state parks at its doorstep, Redding is an outdoor paradise for dog-friendly vacations. Discover the best trails, lakes, parks and…
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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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Lake Tahoe summer fun
Summer at North Lake Tahoe means long days on dog-friendly beaches like Kiva and Kings Beach, cool dips in the Truckee River, and alpine hikes with sweeping views. Patio meals in walkable mountain towns round out the perfect warm-weather getaway…
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Shell Beach coastal access trail
The Shell Beach Coastal Access Trail at Sea Ranch in Sonoma County offers a scenic walk through pine forests and meadows to a sandy beach with tide pools. Dogs are welcome on leash, and parking is free with trail access…
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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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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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Field & stream: Explore Bishop’s big backyard
Surrounded by 98 percent public land, Bishop serves up incredible outdoor adventures for dogs and their humans. Hike Bishop Creek Canyon past cascading waterfalls, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, or paddle the serene alpine waters of Lake Sabrina in the…
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Remembering Maya: DogTrekker’s beloved director of barketing
The DogTrekker team says goodbye to Maya, a rescue pup from Monterey Bay Labrador Retriever Rescue who became the heart of our journey as Director of Barketing. Her nine years of warmth and wagging reminded us that every pawprint tells…
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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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