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!

Stunning ocean views from the deck at Heritage House.

Heritage House: Same time, next year

Heritage House Resort on the Mendocino coast, the filming location for Same Time Next Year, has reopened with fresh interiors, four-star service and a warm welcome for dogs. Ocean-view cottages and bluff-top trails await.

Experience the joy-filled sight of a golden retriever scampering gleefully towards you, its tail wagging merrily. In the backdrop, a lively group of dogs adds to the playful ambiance of the sun-kissed, pet-friendly dog park. This place is an enticing option for your beloved pet's recreative and socializing needs.

Paws for a park

Sonoma County's parks offer everything from coastal trails to wooded ridgelines for you and your dog. Hike Hood Mountain, explore Tolay Lake's grasslands, or walk 17 miles of coastline at Sonoma Coast State Park.

Walking the wilds of Mendocino

Beyond the famous coastline, Mendocino County holds vast dog-friendly public lands including the 50,000-acre Jackson Demonstration State Forest, with trails through old-growth redwood groves and a waterfall hike worth the effort.

Discover a verdant oasis in the South Bay for your next canine adventure, meandering through a network of trails in a forest of towering oak trees. Observe the intricate patchwork of vibrant green moss adorning each tree trunk, creating an enchanting realm that captivates both human and hound alike. The rich brown carpeting that lines the trail- compiled entirely by nature's own fallen leaves - provides ample cushioning for paws and footwear alike. This woodland retreat presents countless sights, sounds and smells to entertain your dog's senses while also offering plenty of peace and tranquility.

South Bay ramble

Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve in the San Mateo County hills features a rare 16-acre off-leash area where dogs can roam freely. Trails wind through oak woodlands with Santa Cruz Mountain views.

A chocolate-hued canine, sporting a stylish collar, amicably ambles toward the camera along a leaf-strewn forest pathway kissed by sunset's warm glow. The faint silhouette of their companion softens in the distance, their arms laden with delectable East Bay Treats - perfect nibbles for your four-legged friend on such adventure-filled outings.

East Bay treats

The East Bay Regional Park District spans over 100,000 acres across 65 parks, with most areas open to dogs. Start at Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley Hills for panoramic views and woodland trails.

From wine to bristlecone pines

A dog-friendly road trip through the High Sierra follows the Golden Chain Highway through Gold Country, crosses Yosemite via Tioga Pass and heads south on Highway 395 past Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes and the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Bishop.

Watch as your golden retriever curiously sniffs a huddled group of vibrant orange mushrooms, their toxic allure hidden beneath the appealing color. This mystifying scene unfolds in a misty forest, adding an air of intrigue and mystery to your woodland escapade with your furry companion. Enjoy this intriguing adventure surrounded by mother nature's abundant beauty, tinged with the thrill of encountering hazards like these enticing but harmful fungi.

Much ado about mushrooms

Wild mushrooms popping up in spring can be toxic to curious dogs, causing symptoms from vomiting and seizures to liver failure. If your dog eats one, get to a vet immediately and bring a damp sample.

Mendocino coasting with your canine

The Mendocino coast offers leash-free beaches, bluff-top trails, scenic Skunk Train rides, and dog-welcoming inns from Fort Bragg to Little River. Dine at Ravens restaurant with your pup beside you or paddle Big River.

Of cottages and vines

California wine country is full of dog-welcoming retreats, from creekside cabins in Guerneville to luxury cottages at Carneros Resort with private fenced patios. Calistoga Ranch even provides a dog concierge for your pup.

Yo, little Yosemite!

Little Yosemite, a scenic gorge in Sunol Regional Wilderness, rewards hikers and their dogs with dramatic rock formations, wildflowers, and boulder-hopping along Alameda Creek. The Canyon View Trail is one of many routes through this East Bay park.

Dog-friendly hide-aways in Mendocino

Mendocino County offers secluded, dog-friendly getaways from blufftop cottages at Serenisea to the architecturally stunning retreats of Sheep Dung Properties in Anderson Valley. Fenced grounds and nearby wineries make these spots ideal for a quiet escape.

Family-friendly fairway falls

Fairway Falls in Ignacio Valley Open Space Preserve near Novato is a family-friendly, one-mile round-trip hike perfect for dogs. Best visited after a hard rain, the seasonal waterfall plunges 30 feet through a forested ravine.

Adventure awaits on the north coast

California's North Coast is a top dog-friendly destination, with the Point Arena-Stornetta preserve, scenic trails, botanical gardens and welcoming lodgings like the Beachcomber Motel and Surf and Sand Lodge in Fort Bragg.

Mushroom dangers – even in the off season

A dog died after eating a dried Death Cap mushroom well past mushroom season on a Berkeley trail. If your dog eats a wild mushroom, call your vet immediately and bring a sample for identification.

Mid-peninsula’s marvelous preserves

Santa Clara County and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District offer tens of thousands of acres of dog-friendly parkland. Pulgas Ridge stands out with 16 acres of off-leash play and six miles of trails.

Choose Redding with your dog

Redding welcomes dogs to its iconic Sundial Bridge, which links trails on both sides of the Sacramento River. From the McConnell Arboretum to 60-plus miles of connected paths with foothill views, this Northern California city is a four-paw destination.

Beer or wine, rain or shine

Oakland and the Tri-Valley region are packed with dog-friendly craft breweries and wineries. Walk the Oakland Urban Wine Trail with your pup, sample 48 brews at Beer Revolution, or tour more than 50 wineries in Livermore Valley.

Take a walk on the wave side

When the heat rises inland, the coast calls. Half Moon Bay's six-mile Coastside Trail, dog-friendly beaches at Montara and Bean Hollow, and patio dining with ocean views make it an ideal cool-weather escape with your pup.

Scenic coasting in Monterey County

Monterey County's coastline offers dog-friendly beaches from Monterey State Beach to wild Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. The crown jewel is Carmel Beach, where dogs run off-leash on white sand in one of America's most dog-welcoming communities.

Regional parks tightening leash?

The East Bay Regional Parks are a magnet for dog lovers, offering off-leash trails, beaches, lakeside camping, and wide-open spaces across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. But a master plan update could bring tighter leash restrictions to these beloved parks.

Dog-friendly lodging for you and yours

Mendocino County's coastline is lined with dog-friendly lodging, from the Beachcomber Motel's on-site dog park and doggie-door suites in Fort Bragg to the Stanford Inn's ocean-view rooms that welcome pets of all kinds, including iguanas and parrots.

Ruffing it in Redding

Redding's stunning Sundial Bridge anchors a network of dog-friendly trails along the Sacramento River. Stroll the glass-decked span, explore the McConnell Arboretum, then follow the 19-mile Sacramento River Trail all the way to massive Shasta Dam.

White wine on a winter’s day

Mendocino County's wineries produce excellent whites alongside their reds, and many welcome dogs right into their tasting rooms. Family-owned spots along Highway 101 and the scenic Highway 128 Wine Trail treat your pup like part of the family.

Watching the sun set on Mount Shasta. — Adobe Images

Highway to heaven

The Everitt Memorial Highway winds 14 miles up Mount Shasta's flanks, delivering jaw-dropping views and dog-friendly trails at the Old Ski Bowl. The Gray Butte Trail crosses sacred ground and old-growth forest to reach a breathtaking saddle at 9,129 feet.

Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens near me..

Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens Blog