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!

Vine and dine in Sonoma

The town of Sonoma charms with its historic plaza, dog-friendly sidewalk cafes and walkable tasting rooms. Stroll to nearby wineries, treat your pup at Three Dog Bakery and finish with dinner at a top-rated patio restaurant.

Sonoma County trippin’

A Sonoma County road trip from Petaluma to Sebastopol to Santa Rosa serves up craft breweries, off-leash dog parks, wine-country trails and walkable downtowns. Each town brings its own character and plenty of dog-friendly stops along the way.

Hiking hills and headlands

Sonoma County delivers scenic hikes from Bodega Bay's birdwatching trails to the Sea Ranch headlands and Hood Mountain's rugged peaks. Inland, Tolay Lake Regional Park near Petaluma adds sweeping views of Bay Area landmarks.

Redding: Waterfall capital of California

Redding and the Shasta Cascade region boast over 225 miles of trails and some of California's best waterfalls. Spring is prime time to hike with your dog to cascades at Whiskeytown Lake and along the McCloud River.

Hideaways by the sea

The Sonoma Coast offers dog-friendly hideaways from Bodega Bay to Sea Ranch, where you can fall asleep to the sound of the Pacific. Cozy inns, vacation rentals and blufftop cottages put sandy beaches and coastal trails right outside your door.

Dogs in the Park

Yosemite National Park has strict pet rules, but leashed dogs can still enjoy paved trails to Lower Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls and Mirror Lake. Dog-friendly campgrounds and vacation rentals inside the park make overnight stays possible.

East Bay Regional wonders

The East Bay Regional Park District spans 65 parks across Alameda and Contra Costa counties, with over 1,200 miles of trails where dogs can hike off-leash in undeveloped areas. Del Valle and the Ohlone Wilderness are standout picks.

Image from Whiskeytown calls on DogTrekker

Dog-friendly waterfalls and trails at Whiskeytown

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area near Redding is a rare National Park Service gem that welcomes leashed dogs on 70 miles of trails. Four waterfalls, lakeside swimming and stunning scenery make it worth the trek north.

Tuolumne County: North entrance (Hwy 120)

The Highway 120 corridor through Tuolumne County blends Gold Rush history with outdoor adventure on the way to Yosemite. Ride a stagecoach in Columbia, swim at Rainbow Pool and bed down at dog-friendly hotels in Groveland and Jamestown.

Fall trekking in the SLO lane

San Luis Obispo County serves up wine tasting, coastal hikes and historic missions along a leisurely Highway 101 road trip. From Paso Robles wineries to Pismo Beach bluffs and Morro Bay seafood decks, your dog is welcome throughout.

Mariposa County: West entrance (Hwy 140)

Highway 140 through Mariposa County leads to Yosemite's Arch Rock entrance, passing dog-friendly lodgings, scenic Merced River trails rich with wildflowers, and charming gateway towns. It's a route packed with places to stay and hike with your pup.

Wilder keeping it super cool in Santa Cruz.

Set the scene in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County pairs redwood forests, sandy beaches and a walkable downtown into one excellent dog-friendly getaway. Ride a steam train, go tidepooling, hike off-leash trails and explore 15 miles of dog-welcoming coastline.

Madera County: South entrance (Hwy 41)

Oakhurst in Madera County serves as the main gateway to Yosemite's south entrance, with dog-friendly inns, wineries, a historic railroad and nearby Bass Lake. From budget-friendly stays to five-star luxury, this corridor has options for every DogTrekker.

San Diego bound

San Diego offers dogs a perfect mix of urban parks, iconic hikes and off-leash beaches. From the sprawling green spaces of Balboa Park to the sand and surf of Ocean Beach, this city was made for four-legged explorers.

Meet Maya, new Director of Barketing™

DogTrekker.com's founders introduce Maya, a 5-year-old English Lab adopted from Monterey Bay Labrador Retriever Rescue. Despite some car anxiety and leash issues, Maya won their hearts and stepped into the role of Director of Barketing.

Pet sounds of the OC

Huntington Beach earns its dog-friendly reputation with an off-leash beach, restaurants serving canine cuisine and fun events like dachshund races. Plus, nearby hotels and trails make Orange County a great base for pup-friendly getaways.

The lowdown on dog-friendly public lands

Dogs are allowed at most California campgrounds, but trail access varies widely depending on who manages the land. National forests, BLM lands and regional parks tend to offer the most freedom for you and your four-legged hiking partner.

Exceptions to California State Parks rules

Most California state parks keep dogs off dirt trails, but a few welcome leashed pups on paths beyond the pavement. Samuel P Taylor, South Yuba River and MacKerricher state parks stand out as happy exceptions worth a visit.

Big Sur alert

Storm damage and the destruction of Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge left much of Big Sur inaccessible, but a few dog-friendly campgrounds remained open via alternate routes. Here's what DogTrekkers needed to know before heading south on Highway 1.

Briones Regional Park, Contra Costa County, California, USA.

Best dog-friendly hiking near Concord

The East Bay's trail network makes Concord a great launching point for dog-friendly hikes. Lime Ridge Open Space, Shell Ridge, and Briones Regional Park all offer acres of open terrain with off-leash options for well-behaved dogs.

Four ways to a happier deaf dog

Living with a deaf dog is more rewarding than you might expect. A vet tech shares four tips, from teaching hand signals and alerting your dog to your presence to keeping them leashed on hikes for safety.

Mendocino wines on your mind?

Mendocino County 11 wine appellations blaze with fall color in October. Drive the Highway 128 Wine Trail through Anderson Valley or head inland along the Hopland Wine Road, stopping at dog-friendly tasting rooms along the way.

Explore the Santa Clara Valley wine trail

The Santa Clara Valley, better known as Silicon Valley, is one of California oldest wine regions with 34 family-owned wineries near Gilroy. A Wine Trail pass lets you taste all year, and Kirigin Cellars even hosts AKC events.

Cruz the mountain wine roads with your pup

Santa Cruz County's mountain wineries offer far more than a beach-town reputation suggests. The Santa Cruz Mountains appellation and Corralitos Wine Trail feature a dozen dog-friendly wineries along winding roads, pouring pinot noirs and chardonnays kissed by coastal fog.

Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens near me..

Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens

Hiking, parks, gardens Blog