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Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens

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!

Image from A dog day in Vacaville on DogTrekker

A dog day in Vacaville

Plan a full day out with your dog in Vacaville, from morning coffee and the Centennial Dog Park to wine tasting in Suisun Valley, craft beer at The Brass Tap, and hiking at Lagoon Valley Park.

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Three amazing dog-friendly road trips in California

Three dog-friendly California road trips worth taking: Yosemite to Mammoth Lakes through the Eastern Sierra, Jenner to Leggett along the coast, and Redding to Mount Shasta through volcanic country. Each route features pet-friendly stops and stunning scenery.

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Explorer Cabins, a dog-friendly lodging in Fish Camp, California

Unrivaled Yosemite hotel is barking for you to visit

Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp offers dog-friendly rooms and 50 Explorer Cabins surrounded by Sierra spaces. The Fido Friendly Package includes a bed, bowl, and treats for your pup, with hiking just steps from your door.

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Image from Dog-friendly road trip: Highway 140 to Yosemite National Park on DogTrekker

Dog-friendly road trip: Highway 140 to Yosemite National Park

Spring is prime time to road-trip Highway 140 to Yosemite with your dog. Small towns like Mariposa and Fish Camp offer dog-friendly lodging from luxury Tenaya Lodge cabins to Airstreams at AutoCamp, all surrounded by blooming wildflowers and gushing waterfalls.

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Image from Yo! Yosemite calls you and your dog on DogTrekker

Yo! Yosemite calls you and your dog

Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite offers dog-friendly rooms and Explorer Cabins on 27 forested acres. Their Fido Friendly Package comes with pet beds, bowls, and treats, plus kennel services for when you visit the park or spa.

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Maya enjoying the Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge.

Treat your pup to a Yosemite vacation

The Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite were built for pet lovers. Set on 27 wooded acres with fire pits and a creek, the Fido-Friendly Package includes pet fees, a plush dog bed, and treats.

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Nature rules in Yosemite Mariposa County

Yosemite Mariposa County's Nature Rules program helps visitors protect this extraordinary landscape. Travel responsibly by sticking to pet-friendly trails, arriving early, packing out all waste and using eco-friendly sunblock to safeguard the park's wildlife and waterways.

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Kessler at Yosemite.

Exceptional experiences in Yosemite

Yosemite's gateway towns are welcoming a wave of new glamping and adventure hotels. From canvas tents in Mariposa to safari-style camps in Groveland, these fresh lodging options put you close to the park with dog-friendly rooms and outdoor experiences.

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Big Bear Lake, the ultimate dog-friendly destination year-round

Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains is a year-round playground for dogs. Swim and kayak in summer, hike through fall colors, romp in winter snow, and enjoy spring wildflowers, all with pet-friendly lodging and dining nearby.

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Mammoth Lakes is the ultimate pup-cation

Mammoth Lakes is a year-round paradise for dogs, with countless hiking trails, crystal-clear mountain lakes for swimming, and a town full of dog-loving people and pet-friendly hotels. Summer or winter, your pup will have the adventure of a lifetime here.

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Image from Going places nearby with your pup on DogTrekker

Going places nearby with your pup

Ready to try somewhere new with your dog? DogTrekker.com lists thousands of dog-friendly places across California, from restaurants and parks to hotels and beaches. Search by city, county or region to find your next local adventure together.

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Image from Impact: Marin County on DogTrekker

Impact: Marin County

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area's dog management plan would slash trail access for leashed dogs in Marin County from 24 miles to just 8 and funnel all off-leash play onto a single remote stretch of sand.

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Claremont Veterinary Hospital, a dog-friendly local service in Oakland, California

Marijuana toxicity and your dog

With marijuana use on the rise, canine toxicity cases are becoming more common and more severe. A veterinarian explains the symptoms, from staggering and urine dribbling to dangerous reactions from edibles, and why quick treatment matters for your dog.

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Image from Meandering Mariposa County with your dog on DogTrekker

Meandering Mariposa County with your dog

Highway 140 through Mariposa County leads to Yosemite but deserves a day of its own. Sample wines at Butterfly Creek, hike the Merced River Trail, and stay at dog-friendly lodges from Yosemite Bug to Yosemite View Lodge.

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Image from Day by the bay in Benicia on DogTrekker

Day by the bay in Benicia

The waterfront town of Benicia on the Carquinez Strait charms dog owners with art galleries, off-leash shoreline stretches, and the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Grab a table with your pup at Sailor Jack's or First Street Cafe.

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Image from Coastal cool-off in Monterey County on DogTrekker

Coastal cool-off in Monterey County

Monterey County pairs coastal and inland hiking for dogs and their people. Stroll the 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, then head to Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley, where dogs can roam off-leash through redwood forests and oak savannas.

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Image from Diggin’ San Diego with your dog on DogTrekker

Diggin’ San Diego with your dog

San Diego is a dog lover's paradise with hiking at Mission Trails Regional Park, off-leash romps in Balboa Park, and leash-free beach time at Ocean Beach and Fiesta Island. The laid-back SoCal vibe extends to your pup.

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Image from Wilderness hiking in Whiskeytown NRA on DogTrekker

Wilderness hiking in Whiskeytown NRA

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area near Redding is one of the rare National Park Service sites that allows leashed dogs on its 70 miles of trails. Four major waterfalls await, from Whiskeytown Falls to Crystal Creek Falls.

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Dog-friendly spring hiking in the Shasta Cascade

May is prime hiking season around Redding, California's self-proclaimed Trail Capital. The Mule Mountain Pass Trail climbs through wildflower meadows into Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, one of the rare NPS sites where dogs can roam dirt trails.

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Dog-friendly Folsom: Lakes, trails and historic Sutter Street

Folsom sits at Gold Country's western gateway with lakes, trails, and a vibrant historic district. Water sports at Folsom Lake pair well with a walk down Sutter Street, and Fido Field gives your dog room to run off-leash.

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Good doggone fun

Good doggone fun

Got extra cash to spend on your adventure dog? The Garmin Astro uses GPS to track your pup's movements on hikes, while the GoPro Hero camera lets you see the world from your dog's point of view.

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Hunting for bigfoot

Humboldt County's Redwood Coast is cool enough to keep your dog comfortable while you check out the Bigfoot Museum in Willow Creek. Nearby, Sequoia Park and Arcata Community Forest offer great dog-friendly walks through ferny woodlands.

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A fine find in gold country

The South Yuba River in Nevada County is a gem for dog-friendly hiking. The Hoyt Trail leads to a historic river crossing with sandy beaches, emerald pools, and granite perches perfect for a cooling dip.

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Image from Sunny, convenient Livermore Valley on DogTrekker

Sunny, convenient Livermore Valley

Livermore Valley Wine Country in the Tri-Valley region features more than 40 wineries in a sunny, rolling landscape rivaling Napa. Dog-friendly favorites include Garre Winery with its bocce courts and patio, Retzlaff Estate, and the welcoming grounds at Concannon.

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