Urban rambles in Sonoma County

Sunrise at Shollenberger Park, Petaluma. Photo by Jessica Bay.

The town of Sonoma, with its historic plaza surrounded by high-end restaurants and shops, is the gateway to Sonoma Wine Country. But wineries aren’t the only places in this sprawling county to visit with your best friend, and Sonoma isn’t the only town with a dog-friendly, come-hither vibe. Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Petaluma have their own sets of canine-accommodating   Read more.

Off the beaten path in Marin

Photo by West Point Inn Association.

Visiting Marin County? Not even all the locals are hip to the hike-in pancake breakfasts-with-a-view served up at the West Point Inn 1,785 feet above the Pacific on the shoulder of Mount Tamalpais.  Read more.

Urban hikes to SF attractions

Photo by jefffielding (CC).

Whether you live in San Francisco or are just visiting, your legs are bound to get a workout given all those hills.  Read more.

Monterey County Parks

Carmel Beach. Photo by Jaime Perez (CC).

Dog-lovers from around the world know leash-free Carmel Beach as a primo place to visit with dogs. But that’s hardly the only place in Monterey County where your untethered dog can have as much fun and freedom as you do. A number of county parks, as well as several within the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, allow dogs to accompany you off-leash away from developed areas so long as  Read more.

More in Marin

Photo by Sergei Shershen.

Sure, there are many open-space tracts in Marin County where you and your dog can hike without being tied together. But there are more that offer big rewards in terms of scenery, even if your tail-wagger has to stay leashed.  Read more.

East Bay Regional Park District

Sunol Regional Wilderness. Photo by Kevin Noble.

The Bay Area wouldn’t be what it is without its tawny, oak-studded hills, and we have the East Bay Regional Parks District to thank for keeping many of them accessible to the public.  Read more.

Urban rambles in San Francisco

Photo by jefffielding (CC).

An abundance of open space available to canines makes the City by the Bay especially enticing to four-legged visitors with humans on the other end of the leash.  Read more.

Marin County Open Space

Marin County has long been a leader in land conservation, and the public has been a beneficiary of its valiant efforts.  Read more.

Fourth stop: Truckee to Mammoth Lakes

Bodie State Historic Park. Photo by Pawan Thapa.

You have a couple of options here, but the most direct route sends you back to Lake Tahoe and around the North Shore via Highway 267 to its intersection with Highway 50.  Read more.

Fifth stop: Mammoth Lakes back to Sac via Yosemite

Allow a full day—or more, if time permits—for the long but scenic drive back to Sacramento via Highway 120 over Tioga Pass Road through Yosemite National Park.   Read more.

Sniff out some new places

Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Photo by Jeremy Bishop.

Every time we visit, Santa Cruz County gets more and more dog-friendly. And this year there are several new opportunities to bark about.  Read more.

A day (or more) in the redwoods

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

Santa Cruz County is famous for its groves of towering coast redwoods, and Big Basin Redwoods State Park is just one place to see them.  Read more.

Exceptions to California state park rules

MacKerricher State Park. Photo by Don Kawahigashi.

Most California State Parks restrict canine companions to campgrounds, day-use picnic areas and paved roads, but we’ve found a trio that allow four-paw venturing on dirt trails.  Read more.

Dogs in the park

Before you bring your dog to Yosemite National Park, read up on the rules so you won't be disappointed. While access to trails is restricted (see where you can hike below), there's still lots of scenery that can be enjoyed with your dog, especially in the spring when the waterfalls are running at maximum flow.  Read more.

Redding: Waterfall capital of California

Maya at Whiskeytown Falls. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

Redding, the last major city on Interstate 5 as you near Mt. Shasta, is the undisputed Trail Capital of California, with over 225 miles of trails within 15 miles of its city center.  Read more.

Liquid treasure in Gold Country

Hidden Falls Regional Park. Photo by City of Auburn.

You’ll hear the furious, highway-like roar long before you catch sight of Hidden Falls, a wide wall of water that explodes into a 50-foot ravine at the center of Hidden Falls Regional Park, a 1,200-acre preserve with 30 miles of trails in Placer County Gold Country.  Read more.

Cataract Falls: A California classic

Photo by Anastase Maragos.

Despite its strenuous nature, the 2.5-mile round trip to Cataract Falls on the north slope of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County is definitely not the road less traveled.  Read more.

Every walk in Surf City is special

Photo by Visit Huntington Beach.

The Dog Beach here in Surf City has become famous throughout Southern California. More than a mile of undeveloped beach along one of the prettiest stretches of the coast  Read more.

Mammoth opportunities

Three hours south of Tahoe and five hours northeast from Los Angeles, Mammoth Lakes beckons not just downhill skiers, but DogTrekkers vacationing with their best four-legged friends.  Read more.

Here’s where to SNO-PARK

Wondering where to go to the snow with Rover? Start with a look at the DogTrekker SNO-PARKS page and map  Read more.

San Diego bound

Lily Pond at Balboa Park, San Diego.

In San Diego County, it’s a dog life when it comes to hiking, beaching, dining and sharing a hotel room with your pup.  Read more.

Set the scene in Santa Cruz County

Wilder keeping it super cool in Santa Cruz. Photo by Celeste Cesena.

Just a short hop south of the Bay Area, Santa Cruz County is diverse and exceedingly dog-friendly.  Read more.

Hiking hills and Headlands

Tolay Lake Regional Park. Photo by Harminder Dhesi.

Every good bird deserves watching at Bodega Bay, and the 1.2-mile Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail is a great venue for walking your dog while sharpening your identification skills.  Read more.

Sonoma County trippin’

Hotel Petaluma. Photo by Hotel Petaluma.

When’s the last time you explored these Sonoma County gems with your four-legged friend?  Read more.

Paws to the Redding paths

Whether you go all out for a strenuous hike or prefer a walk on the mild side, there’s no shortage of DogTrekking options in a region blanketed by national forests and other public lands.  Read more.

Snouts out the window

Photo by Andrew Pons.

Fall is a great time for a scenic-drive vacation, and it would be hard to find more options than in the Shasta Cascade region, which boasts 12 designated scenic byways, each with its own intrinsic qualities.  Read more.

Climb (or drive) every mountain

Buddy and friend on Lake Shasta. Photo by Michael Brown.

On a clear day, 14,179-foot-high Mount Shasta comes into view just north of Sacramento as you make the trip up Interstate 5.  Read more.

Take a hike with DogTrekker

No matter where you are camping in California, DogTrekker.com’s free mobile app is your guide to dog-friendly hiking.  Read more.

See more on Highway 4

Photo by Dayne Topkin.

Highway 4 in Calaveras and Alpine counties is one of our favorite routes for a summer road trip, offering way too many attractions and diversions for a mere weekend.   Read more.

Gotta lake it

Summertime and the livin’ is easy…as long as you’re on a lake. Heading up to Gold Country, you’ll find lots of places to dip your paws no matter which road you take. Here are some of our favorite splash spots in the Sierra foothills.  Read more.

Get your buttes in gear

Cricket and Splash boating on Sardine Lake. Photo by Jessica Bay, @littlehounddog.

The Lakes Basin Recreation Area straddles Plumas and Sierra counties about 70 miles north of Lake Tahoe. It's truly a land of lakes, with more than four dozen pools  Read more.

Take a walk on the wave side

DogTrekkers who live inland know they’re never far from Sweatshirt Land. So when the mercury climbs, those in the know leash up their pups and head for the coast, making base camp in unhurried towns like Benicia, Pacifica, Point Reyes Station (gateway to the national seashore) or Half Moon Bay, all of which are well appointed with hiking trails. Our most recent weekend away was to   Read more.

Roam among giants

Sniffing out redwoods in the Sierras. Photo by Jessica Bay.

We’re all familiar with giant sequoias, those massive, awe-inspiring sentinels of the forest found only on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. The most famous groves (Mariposa and Grant) are in Yosemite and Sequoia national parks, respectively—and unfortunately, dogs are not welcome on the trails leading through them.  Read more.

SLO trekking with your dog

San Luis Obispo coast. Photo by Visit California.

San Luis Obispo, the Central Coast college town about 12 miles inland from the Pacific shore, is a great jumping-off place for DogTrekkers.  Read more.

A fine find in Gold Country

Photo by Jessica Bay.

The Sierra Nevada foothills, with their quaint, Gold Rush-era towns and growing portfolio of wineries, are a joy to explore with a four-legged companion.  Read more.

Tiptoe through the tulips in Davis

Photo by Julia Edbrooke.

Sometimes a lovely May day beckons with a leisurely stroll, rather than a full-on hike. For DogTrekkers who enjoy spring blooms,   Read more.

Shasta wanderland

Photo by Pille Kirsi.

May is prime hiking time in the Shasta Cascade region around Redding, where Mount Shasta (14,161 feet) and Mount Lassen (10,463 feet) rise like giant snow cones from the rugged landscape.  Read more.

New park for Ranger

Ranger at Yosemite National Park. Photo Credit: Lisa Hernandez Ranger, a handsome nine-month old chocolate Labrador, camped for the first time in Yosemite. Ranger's people let us know that he had a great time frolicking in the river and going for long walks.  Read more.

Dogs at Yosemite National Park

Photo by Mick Haupt.

Yes, you can and should have your dog tag along on your next visit to Yosemite National Park, even though park rules restrict canine companions almost exclusively to campgrounds and paved roads and trails. There’s enough to see (and sniff) for both of you to stay engaged for least a couple of days—and this winter’s heavy precipitation brings the added advantage of budding gr  Read more.

East Bay hikes for fresh-air fiends

Don’t come to Oakland or the Tri-Valley without your hiking shoes! You’ll need them, along with a leash, to explore open-space preserves.  Read more.

Shasta County gushers near Redding

Brandy Creek Falls. Photo by Wayne Hsieh.

There’s no better time to experience the Shasta Cascade range around Redding than in spring, when the rugged foothills glow velvet green, the icy cone of Mount Shasta looms tall and waterfalls tumble into the streams feeding sapphire-blue Whiskeytown Lake.  Read more.

Four falls on one outing!

Swanson Creek, Uvas Canyon Park.

In the wake of a good spring drenching, the Uvas Canyon Waterfall Loop Trail near Morgan Hill in the South Bay’s Santa Cruz Mountains rewards with easy footing and sights to put a smile on your face and a wag on Scout’s tail.  Read more.

Splash-happy in Marin

Cataract Falls in Marin County. Photo by David Berry.

Cataract Falls in Marin County is probably the best-known waterfall in the Bay Area, and for good reason.  Read more.

Family-friendly Fairway Falls

Trailhead to Fairway Falls. Photo by Jessica Bay.

There’s no need to work up a sweat on a waterfall hike, especially if the hike is a family-friendly, one-mile round trip to Fairway Falls, a seasonal gusher in Ignacio Valley Open Space Preserve near Novato.  Read more.

Yosemite’s watery icon

California’s best-known cataract is 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls, a voice-drowning, three-stage gusher that roars like a highway during the snow-melt season.  Read more.

Strap on the snowshoes: Dog-friendly snowshoeing in Tahoe

Anywhere there’s snow, you can snowshoe. Pick a bluebird day and pack plenty of pep for an excursion to Echo Lakes, the southern gateway to Desolation Wilderness   Read more.

Last chance for high-country hikes with your dog

Photo by Dayne Topkin.

This in-between time of year, when snowfall in the mountains is still light or nonexistent, is a great time for one last hike in the high country with your four-legged friends.  Read more.

Take a Yolo County detour

Photo by Jesus Trevizo.

In Yolo County, Interstate 80 runs right past the UC Davis campus and within ball-throwing distance of Sudwerk, one of the state’s pioneering craft breweries.  Read more.

Dog-friendly hiking around Vacaville

Photo by Anna.

An attraction of pastoral and historic interest easily accessible from Vacaville is Rush Ranch Open Space a 2,070-acre open space now administered by the Solano Land Trust.  Read more.

Giacomo and Gelsomina’s mountain paradise

Photo by Jamie Street.

Although Mount Laguna is about 50 miles from central San Diego, the spectacular scenery and climate are well worth the drive. This 6,000-foot altitude alpine area is an evergreen tree mountain paradise, nothing like the desert climate of San Diego. Expect significantly cooler temperatures. It actually receives snow in the winter.  Read more.

Take a fall hike around Redding

Redding calls itself California’s Trail Capital, and for good reason: about 100 miles of trails, both paved and natural-surface, have been developed in and around the city through private and public partnerships.  Read more.

Napa Valley leg-stretchers

Just because you’ve had your fill of food, wine and vines doesn’t mean your restless Rover is ready to call it a day. After all, there’s not much exercise to be had in a tasting room. If the two of you need to burn a few calories, we suggest starting your day at Canine Commons dog park, part of 157-acre Alston Park northwest of downtown Napa.  Read more.

Soaking up scenery in San Diego

Mission Trails Regional Park. Photo by Christopher Lorenzo.

San Diego epitomizes the laid-back SoCal lifestyle—and it just happens to be one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country, to boot.  Read more.

Put these hiking havens on your radar

Photo by Anna.

Regional park districts in the Bay Area and beyond offer myriad venues for hiking with your dog. Check out the possibilities and put paws to path this fall!  Read more.

Sonoma County Regional Parks with your pup

Hillside view in Santa Rosa. Photo by Megan O’Hanlon.

Sonoma County’s diverse network of regional parks is laced by more than 140 miles of trails leading to beaches, mountains, forests, lakes and meadows.  Read more.

Sniffing out dog-friendly trails in LA

Eaton Canyon Natural Area. Photo by Ivan Mercado.

Los Angeles is lots more than jammed freeways, as anyone who’s taken time to explore its hilly terrain and beautiful beaches knows.  Read more.

Things to do with your dog in Santa Cruz County

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

When it comes to things to do with your dog in Santa Cruz County, there’s the obvious (beaches, wineries), and the not-so-obvious—like Byrne-Milliron Forest, a 400-acre Land Trust of Santa Cruz County property managed as a working forest and laced with dog-friendly trails (off-leash hiking for dogs with reliable recall is allowed).   Read more.

More Park for Pups!

Photo: Samantha S. Samantha S. wrote in to tell us about a dog-friendly park she and her dog recently visited in Napa County. She let us know that Moore Creek Park in St. Helena is a wonderful dog-friendly spot with great views and pristine pools.  Read more.

Wilderness Hiking in Whiskeytown NRA

If your travel plans have you traveling north this year (or if you haven’t figured out how to use those unused vacay days), we have just the perfect destination. Redding, the last major city on Interstate 5 as you near Mt. Shasta, is the undisputed Trail Capital of California with over 225 miles of trails within 15 miles of its city center.  Read more.

Diggin’ San Diego With Your Dog

In San Diego, it’s a dog’s life when it comes to hiking. Daisy can let loose on the beach or enjoy a quick, natural escape at nearby preserves like Mission Trails Regional Park, where 60 miles of canine-friendly trails spread over 6,800 acres beckon.   Read more.

Day By The Bay in Benicia

It’s almost always sweater weather in this snug little community on the Carquinez Strait. And Benicia’s friendly residents enjoy a small-town atmosphere just a hop, skip and jump from San Francisco and a shade over an hour from Sacramento.  Read more.

Get a dog-friendly lift in Lake Tahoe

Palisades Tahoe Tram. Photo by Palisades Tahoe.

As anyone coming up to Lake Tahoe from sea level knows, that first day of hiking above 6,500 feet is a pant-inducing endeavor.  Read more.

Coastal Cool-Off in Monterey County

If it's coastal hiking that you are interested in, start in Monterey, where you can join the throngs of people and pups out for a stroll on the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, a paved, multi-use path that stretches 18 scenic miles from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south, hugging a route once used by the Southern Pacific Railway. The Pacific Grove section is a particular DogTrek  Read more.

Yes, you can bring your dog to Yosemite

In the midst of the Civil War, a visionary President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Land Grant, setting aside the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias as a scenic wilderness for public use and preservation.  Read more.

Meandering the Mendo coast with your dog

While you can drive from one end of Mendocino County to the other in a morning or afternoon (it’s 102 winding miles from Leggett to Gualala on scenic Highway 1) this intoxicating stretch of coastline is best savored at a snail’s pace. Our advice: Hang your hat (and leash) for at least a night in one of the many dog-friendly lodgings situated within sight and sound of the sea.   Read more.

Dogs Run Free Dog Park

Dogs Run Free is 1.7 fully-fenced acres of beautiful ponderosa pines and scrub oaks, and includes 10 benches for people socializing, too. There is water available in both areas (the large area and the small/shy dog area) and lots of pick-up baggies and garbage cans available for waste control.  The non-profit that maintains Dogs Run Free built a pool pad and dedicated wat  Read more.

Paws to the (Nice, Flat) Path

Back in the day, Bosco used to love to join you in long-distance runs and near-vertical scrambles up challenging trails. Now, not so much — but he still needs regular exercise to stay healthy, and hey, so do you. So there's a lot to be said for a nice, flat, paved path, with plenty of scenery and sniffing opportunities to enjoy as the spirit (or the scent) moves you.  Read more.

Stop and Smell the Roses. Also the Dirt, and the Bushes…

If you're trying to sniff out a place with scents galore for Snuffy, oil-painting vistas for you, and lots of opportunities to explore at your own pace, head for one of California's many dog-friendly botanical gardens. There you'll find easy paths for on-leash meandering, plus inviting picnic grounds, well-placed benches, and photo opportunities galore.  Read more.

Take to the Hills Around SLO

The town of San Luis Obispo prides itself on surrounding open space where dog-friendly hiking trails dot the hillsides. The most popular and certainly the most rigorous of day hikes is local landmark Bishop’s Peak, tallest of the Nine Sisters, a string of peaks spanning the 12 miles between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. The hike to Bishop’s Peak’s 1,546-foot summit is a 3.5-mile, out-and-ba  Read more.

Waterfront Dog-friendly Delights in Mission Bay

Hanging out in Mission Bay. (CC) Bhautik Joshi One of the fastest changing parts of the city is Mission Bay, a South-of-Market shoreline neighborhood in the midst of a redevelopment boom. Start this three-mile jaunt at AT&T Park, crossing McCovey Cove on Third Street to reach China Basin Park, a thin strip of green space facing the home of the World Champion San Francisco Giants. On game days  Read more.

Places to Play in Golden Gate Park With Your Dog

Golden Gate Park is to San Francisco what Central Park is to New York, but oh-so-much better, at least in our dog-centric opinion.  Read more.

Livermore: Tri-Valley’s dog park mecca

Tri-Valley’s newspaper, the Independent, reported that when most cities have one to three dog parks; Livermore boasts a whopping SEVEN dog parks for you and your pup to frolic off-leash. If seven dog parks aren’t enough, dogs are also allowed on leash at Sycamore Grove Park and Holdener Park.  Read more.

Rovering around in Palm Springs

Lookin’ fly at the Palm Springs aerial tramway. Photo by A. Aguirregabiria.

Lookin' fly at the Palm Springs Arial Tramway. CC A. Aguirregabiria Blue sky, purple mountains, turquoise pools, nodding palms and lots and lots of sunshine make Palm Springs a winter oasis for everyone from Hollywood celebs to Canadian snowbirds and avowed desert rats. All those demographics include packs of DogTrekkers, who rank Palm Springs one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the state  Read more.

Winter wanderings in Lake Tahoe

Whether there’s lots of snow or not a flake at lake level, your pup will appreciate a winter break at Northern California’s favorite playground as much as you will.  Read more.

Walking the wilds of Mendocino

Hiking in the woods. Farley Endeman (CC) A big part of Mendocino County’s appeal is its hundreds of thousands of acres of dog-friendly public lands, which range from sprawling, 913,300-acre Mendocino National Forest and Snow Mountain Wilderness to coastal preserves like the newly designated Point Arena-Stornetta National Monument, consisting of 1,665 spectacular acres on the wild and windswept c  Read more.

Waves & woof on the Mendocino Coast

©2018 California State Parks. Photo by Brian Baer.

A mere glimpse of Mendocino’s gorgeously sculpted coastline is all it takes to turn urban angst into rural revelation. The scenery is so intoxicating you can yappily spend a week along the Highway 1 corridor without venturing beyond sight or sound of the sea. Visitors on a short leash, time-wise, will find plenty to occupy themselves and their pups along the 13 miles of coastline between diminut  Read more.

Mendocino’s inland empire

Skunk Train. Photo by Brendan McGuigan.

Many Mendocino County visitors stay glued to the scenic stretch of coastline between Little River and Fort Bragg, but to do so is to miss out on redwoods, wineries, off-the-beaten-path seaside preserves and small, inland towns that extend a warm welcome to travelers with pets.  Read more.

Now wear this!

Photo by GoPro.

What’s the world look like from your dog’s point of view? Get her geared up with a GoPro action camera, and you’ll get a whole new perspective.  Read more.

Park It Here

Coolling off in the American River. Photo: Sarah Rich Sacramentans cherish the American River Parkway, a shady, 32-mile greenbelt meandering from the Old Sacramento historic district to sprawling Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. This jewel in the crown of the Sacramento County Regional Park System has many access points and offers an unlimited opportunity to stroll and splash with your best fri  Read more.

Mendocino’s Beachcomber Motel offers pet suites and dog park

Photo by Beachcomber Motel & Spa.

The Beachcomber Motel & Spa in Fort Bragg has officially gone to the dogs with their latest addition of Pet Suites and a new, leash-free Dog Park.  Read more.

On The Way to Yosemite: North Entrance

Cabo in Groveland. Photo: Doug Pieper Why hurry to Yosemite National Park when the journey can be as rewarding as the destination? The Yosemite Region encompasses four gateway counties, each with its own unique set of attractions. This week we celebrate Yosemite’s 150th anniversary with a look at places and diversions for DogTrekkers to check out along the major highway corridors leading to  Read more.

Trail Etiquette With Your Dog

Dog on Fairmont Ridge. Photo: Mary (CC) We all like to give our dogs the privilege of romping off-leash from time to time, and not just in a fenced dog park. But with that privilege comes responsibility. The East Bay Regional Park District is among the precious few land-management agencies that allow visiting dogs to hike without a leash away from developed areas. Unfortunately, not everyone who   Read more.

Marin’s Tucked Away Treasures

Kalani on Mount Tam. Photo: Niall Kennedy When most people think about public lands, state parks, national parks and national forests usually come to mind. But public utilities also manage open space, usually for the purpose of protecting watersheds and streams that provide drinking water and energy for power plants. The Marin Municipal Water District is one of them, stewarding several thousand a  Read more.

Midpeninsula’s Marvelous Preserves

Santa Clara County is blessed with tens of thousands of acres of paw-friendly parklands, and this being the Silicon Valley, many online resources are available to help guide you to and through K-9 territory. Check out the 25 county parks that allow dogs with some restrictions, then pick your path within the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD), whose 90,000 acres in 10 open-space pre  Read more.

East Bay getaways with your dog

Cassie at Mission Creek Preserve. Photo: Sean Ness (CC) What would the East Bay be without its regional parks—all 65 of them? The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) marks its 80th birthday this year, and as athank-you to its many users EBRPD is offering, “Free 3rd Fridays” each month for the remainder of the year. Perks include free parking, free boat launching, free ent  Read more.

Experience Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta, 63 miles north of Redding and a constant presence on the Shasta Cascade horizon, is considered by many to be one of the world’s most spiritual “power spots.”   Read more.

Help Us Gain Dog Access to State Parks

We Californians love our dogs-and our state parks. But we're often frustrated by regulations that restrict canine visitors to parking lots and campgrounds. Only a few parks allow dogs to accompany their people on trails and on beaches. DogTrekker.com wants to change that and needs your help. The state parks' new leadership wants to ensure that the parks are 'available to everyone'.  Read more.

Sno-Park Playland for Pooches and Their Humans

Stacy M., one of our intrepid DogTrekkers, and her angel Ayden barked to us about two dog-friendly Sno-Parks on Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4 near Bear Lake Ski Resort - one at the Spicer Meadow Road turnoff and the other at the end of the plowed highway near Lake Alpine.  Read more.

Redding trails

With 100 miles of trails within 10 miles of Redding’s city center, and many more beyond, it’s easy to understand why Redding is considered to be the Trail Capital of California.  Read more.

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

Max at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Photo: Vic Farley, Courtesy Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens There’s something about a carefully cultivated garden that brings on wonder, inspiration and wagging tails. Not all of California’s botanical gardens are dog-friendly, but these five extend a warm welcome to canine guests.    Read more.

Vroom over to Vacaville

Lagoon Valley Park, Vacaville.

Sometimes the places in our own backyard are the least explored. And for many Northern Californians, Vacaville, a familiar name on Interstate 80, is one of them.  Read more.

Yosemite in Winter

Normally, waterfall season at Yosemite National Park doesn’t peak until May. But this year’s light snow pack and unusually warm weather have teased Mother Nature into an earlier schedule.  Read more.

Diamond in the Ruff

Ghost Tunnel, Black Diamond Mines - Photo: Nick Fullerton (CC) From the late 1800s to the early 1990s, as many as 900 miners at a time labored to remove nearly 4 million tons of coal—“black diamonds”—from the ground in what is now Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve near Antioch in Contra Costa County. As interesting for its human history and artifacts (mine shafts, cemeteries, crumb  Read more.

Death Valley National Park

Photo by Johannes Plenio.

Exceedingly pleasant temperatures—low 60s in the daytime, low 40s at night—make January and February the ideal time to visit Death Valley. This is one of the best drive-through parks in the country, with scores of fascinating sights visible from the road.  Read more.

Trekking in Temecula

Southern California’s high-desert wine country is centered around the town of Temecula, 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 60 miles north of San Diego.  Read more.

So nice at San Anselmo’s Sorich Park

Kayla has put the paws to the path in thousands of miles of California trails, and last weekend she sniffed out a great one at the San Anselmo Sorich Ranch Open Space.  Read more.

Editorial: Dogs in State Parks

On the pier at Seacliff State Beach We want to thank the hundreds of DogTrekker readers who responded so positively to our May 15, 2013 newsletter featuring an open letter to Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the California Parks Foundation. The letter was complimentary about the work the foundation has done to raise awareness and funds to protect, maintain and enhance our parks.  Read more.

Perambulate the Parkway

Dogs in Dancing Fountain Sacramentans cherish the American River Parkway, a shady, 32-mile greenbelt meandering from the Old Sacramento historic district to sprawling Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. This jewel in the crown of the Sacramento County Regional Park System has many access points and offers an unlimited opportunity to stroll and splash with your best friend.  Read more.

Perk Up at a Park

Brodie playing in the park Sacramento enjoys a mild fall and winter climate perfect for outings with your pup. If you’re a visitor and weather permits, start your explorations at the navel of California political activity, the state capitol. No, you can’t go inside—but the two of you can explore Capitol Park, a 40-acre urban preserve surrounding the imposing domed structure  Read more.

Park It in San Francisco

What’s the biggest park in San Francisco after Golden Gate Park (1,017 acres)? We were stumped, too, until our staffers stumbled upon John McLaren Park, a hidden gem in south San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley.  Read more.

Dog-friendly day hikes

Photo by Stephen Leonardi.

The scenery is what it’s all about at Lake Tahoe, and there are so many dog-friendly North Lake Tahoe hikes that we can only mention a few favorites. If a casual stroll will satisfy,   Read more.

Bike or Hike to the Beach

It’s all paws out for a daylong adventure on Avila’s Bob Jones Bike Trail. Don’t have a bike? No worries! Bike rentals are available near the parking area and leashed Lassies are also welcome with walkers, joggers and skaters on this 2.5-mile paved pathway to beautiful Avila Beach.   Read more.

Last call for Tahoe snowshoeing

If you've never tried snowshoeing, what are you waiting for? And if you have? Well, like we said, what are you waiting for?  Read more.

Tuolumne Tell-All

Tuolumne County, bordering Yosemite National Park along the Highway 49 and Highway 120 corridors, played a pivotal roll in 19th-century stampede for gold and silver, and its rugged landscape is dotted with towns—Columbia, Jamestown, Twain Harte, Groveland—that still have a boomtown feel.  Read more.

Shoreline Rambling

Sometimes the urge to breathe deeply of a sea breeze comes on as strong as an appetite at lunchtime. Fortunately, the East Bay Regional Parks District offers multiple ways to satiate the desire for a shoreline ramble with your best friend.  Read more.

Winter hiking in Tahoe

Sometimes you just want to walk the dog, not make a big, equipment-heavy production of it. At Tahoe, warm boots should suffice on most winter days if you stay around lake level, where snow comes and goes throughout the season.  Read more.

Snuggle Up With Sparky

Tahoma Meadows There’s nothing like an old-style cabin to impart a sense of place at Lake Tahoe. We have a few dog-friendly favorites, starting with Tahoma Meadows Bed & Breakfast Cottages on Tahoe's West Shore, a semi-secret place that has developed a loyal following among outdoorsy couples and families traveling with their four-legged friends.  Read more.

Park ‘N’ Play

You spend a lot of time and gas money getting to Lake Tahoe, so why waste more circling for a place to park? During a winter like this one, the prime spots at snow-play areas are gone by 9 a.m….unless you’ve had the foresight to purchase a Sno-Parks permit.  Read more.

Paws To Path Hiking With Your Dog

We know that putting paws to path is one of your favorite activities, especially when you can unsnap the leash and let your best friend sniff as she will. With help from our readers, DogTrekker is doggone determined to keep up a regular flow of suggestions on places to hike in spring, summer, fall and winter so that you’ll never run short of ideas.  Read more.

Avenue of the Giants

Photo by Jamie Street.

You might not know a burl from a squirrel when you set off on the 31-mile section of old Highway 101 known as the Avenue of the Giants, but by the end of the day you'll have learned all about the strange growths and the products crafted from them that are hawked all around the region.  Read more.

Marin County Parks

Photo by Nathan Barteau.

Forty years ago, as residents watched subdivisions creep up hillsides and across ridges, local leaders started a heroic movement to preserve natural lands; a movement that resulted in the creation of the Marin County Open Space District.  Read more.

Wide Open Spaces

The Marin County Open Space District, which turns 40 this year, was born from a heroic movement to preserve natural lands and contain urban sprawl. Today it administers 34 preserves—all but one of them dog-friendly—totaling more than 20,000 acres and providing Bay Area residents and visitors with many ways to play. Four-legged hikers enjoy the rare privilege of accompanying their huma  Read more.

MacKerricher State Park

MacKerricher State Park. Photo by Don Kawahigashi.

Adhering to leash restrictions is a small price to pay for reveling in the beauty of this Mendocino County gem with numerous dog-friendly trails and beaches. MacKerricher State Park is diverse, with habitats ranging from bluffs to beaches, headlands, tide pools, forests, wetlands and one of California’s longest coastal dune systems.  Read more.

Garrapata State Park

If the rocky, surf-crashed scenery at Garrapata State Park looks familiar, that’s probably because it resides in your subconscious, deposited there by paintings and films that have made impressions before. This is the last state park on the Big Sur coast to allow canine visitors, which makes it feel all the more special. Dogs are only allowed along the two miles of beachfront, not on trai  Read more.

Samuel P. Taylor State Park

Redwood trees at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Photo by Martha Bergmann.

This lush redwood retreat 15 miles west of San Rafael has dog-friendly picnic areas, campgrounds with showers and the five-mile Cross Marin Trail, shared with cyclists, that visitors with leashed dogs are welcome to enjoy.  Read more.

South Yuba River State Park

Photo by Jeremy Perkins.

We’d love South Yuba River State Park even if its many trails and swimming holes weren’t dog-friendly, and we bet you will, too.  Read more.

Dog-Passionate Sacramento

Maya walking on the Sacramento River Trail. Photo by Roxanne Kendrick.

Dog-friendly California begins with Sacramento, as you will find out when you explore all the capital city has to offer, from hikes to scenic walks, dog parks to swim spots as well as numerous hotels and restaurants which welcome your furry friend.  Read more.

See You in Siskiyou

Photo by U.S. Forest Service.

Heading north from Redding, DogTrekkers will find an abundance of Fido-friendly hike, splash, play and stay choices—too many for just one trip. Mount Shasta City, nestled at the foot of the imposing, 14,162-foot volcanic peak of the same name, makes a great base for a getaway.  Read more.

10 ways to have fun with your dog at Lake Tahoe

Photo by Jessica Bay.

Yes, you can take your dog swimming at Lake Tahoe! True, there are only a handful of dog-friendly beaches, but for most dogs, just one a day is enough. One of our hidden favorites on the West Shore is the private beach at Obexer’s General Store in Homewood.   Read more.

Yo, Little Yosemite!

Sunol Regional Wilderness. Photo by Kevin Noble.

Don’t have time to visit the real Yosemite Valley? Little Yosemite, a scenic gorge on Alameda Creek in Sunol Regional Wilderness, might not be so grand, but it’s a lot closer to home.  Read more.

Much ado about mushrooms

Spring rains (and even lawn sprinklers) bring forth mushrooms that pop up in your yard or spring from grasses alongside your favorite trail. Many a dog has been known to nibble on them. The problem is, many kinds of mushrooms are toxic to canines.  Read more.

Walk Blithely

Old Railroad Grade trail in Mill Valley. Photo by Jessica Bay.

If you wake up on a clear day itching for a hike that provides challenge, historical context and views, put paws to the path on a 6.6-mile trek along the Old Railroad Grade.  Read more.

Halfway to Heaven

Photo by Peter Reinhold.

If you could afford to live like a high-tech millionaire, you'd have lots of company in Los Gatos. It's a nice place to visit regardless, and 270-acre St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve above the attractive town center is a destination well worth the huffer-puffer hike from Novitiate Park at the end of Jones Road.  Read more.

Mammoth views

Photo by Visit Mammoth.

Dog with a view Mammoth Lakes area is the most developed part of the Eastern Sierra, with amenities and services to accommodate everyone from luxury-seekers to campers and, of course, DogTrekkers. The area is loaded with dog-friendly lodging establishments, and while we can't vouch for them all, we do have our favorites.  Read more.

Side trips from Tahoe

Donner Lake.

If you're heading to or from Tahoe from Sacramento and the Bay Area on Highway 50, consider a half-day outing on Echo Lake,  Read more.

Paws to the path around Lake Tahoe

Most hiking trails around Lake Tahoe—and there are hundreds—can be enjoyed in the company of your dog. For a short hike with liquid rewards, pack a picnic  Read more.

Horsing around

Who on the way up to Tahoe hasn't caught a glimpse of Horsetail Falls, the spectacular, 800-foot cataract visible from Highway 50 at Twin Bridges? The half-day trek to the lower falls  Read more.

A Mammoth undertaking

Photo by Mammoth Lakes.

The Mammoth Lakes area of the Eastern Sierra holds some of California's most stunning—and paw-friendly —high-altitude landscapes. At Mammoth Mountain, hikers with leashed dogs can hop aboard the Panorama Gondola for a ride to the mountain's 11,053-foot summit and 360-degree views of surrounding peaks.  Read more.

Paw your way to High Camp

Palisades Tahoe iconic aerial tram offers what is perhaps the most dramatic scenic mechanized mountain high at Lake Tahoe. Many passengers in the dog-friendly stand-up conveyance  Read more.

The far, far north in Del Norte County

Paul Bunyan's dog, Digger. Photo Credit: Verifex (CC) Just north of the Redwood National and State Parks on Highway 101 near Klamath, a “what on Earth?” sight comes into view. Those giant size statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox signal you’ve arrived at Trees of Mystery, one of America’s best known roadside attractions.  Read more.

Regional Parks tightening leash?

From Point Isabel to Lake Del Valle, Black Diamond Mines to Sunol Regional Wilderness, Point Pinole to Mission Peak, the East Bay Regional Parks  Read more.

East Bay treats

If you live in the Bay Area, you don't have to go far to access some of the 1,150 miles of trails at your doorstep in the 65 parks comprising the nation's largest regional parks system. Only a small percentage of the East Bay Regional Park District's 100,000 acres is off-limits to dogs, so when it comes to places to roam with Rover, this patchwork of open space in Alameda and Contra Co  Read more.

South Bay ramble

Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, situated in the hills above San Carlos and Redwood City in San Mateo County, is a cherished spot for dog owners seeking off-leash play areas … Continued  Read more.

Paws for a park

For such a large county, Sonoma has relatively few chunks of open space that dogs can explore with their people. But Hood Mountain, Sugar Loaf Ridge, and Tolay Lake are all worth a visit with your four-legger.  Read more.

All paws on deck

Photo by Shelly Lewis, courtesy EBRP.

If you and your canine pal are visiting, you owe it to yourself not to miss this internationally known, 23-acre place for off-leash doggie fun.  Read more.

Bark for Benicia

Photo by Cristina Glebova.

Yelp, we thought that seeing this Solano County town in the No. 4 slot on the Dog Fancy list would elicit yowls of surprise. Yet behind all those happily wagging tails in Benicia is a community of dog lovers who worked hard to create amenities such as Phenix Community Dog Park, and a pair of leash-free beaches on the Carquinez Strait at the edge of downtown.  Read more.

Lots to Bragg about

Glass Beach. Photo by Wikimedia.

What can you say about a town that has its own dog park mayor, an ice cream parlor that provides free licks for Fido, and a 47-acre botanical garden known for its rhododendrons and dahlias, that not only welcomes dogs, but loans out mobility scooters to the physically impaired?   Read more.