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!
Woofin’ it up in Tuolumne County
Tuolumne County blends Gold Rush history with outdoor fun. Visit Indigeny Reserve for cider tasting and orchard walks, explore Columbia State Historic Park, and ride a steam train at Railtown 1897, all with your dog in tow.
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What’s cookin’ in Calaveras County
Calaveras County's hip town of Murphys draws wine lovers and their dogs to 25-plus tasting rooms along Main Street. Beyond the annual Grape Stomp, the stunning Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway offers dramatic High Sierra views and great hiking.
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Where to Cruz with your pup
Santa Cruz County pairs gorgeous coastline with a growing wine scene, and many tasting rooms welcome dogs. Follow the Corralitos Wine Trail for organic pinots, visit MJA Vineyard, or stop at Bonny Doon on a scenic Highway 1 cruise.
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Sip and stroll in Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County offers dog-friendly wine tasting from the Danish village of Solvang to the Urban Wine Trail downtown. Let your pup run free at Arroyo Burro Beach and sip local Rhone varietals at pet-welcoming tasting rooms.
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Kissing the Santa Cruz coast
Santa Cruz County 29-mile coastline has 15 dog-friendly beaches, from Seabright and Manresa to Davenport and Lighthouse Field. Add a stroll along West Cliff Drive and dog-welcoming hotels for a full coastal getaway.
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Dog-friendly Lake County adventures
Lake County offers dog-friendly water adventures from Clear Lake to the spring-fed Blue Lakes. Rent electric boats, splash at state park beaches, hike wildlife areas and watch for bald eagles and wild tule elk at Cache Creek in cooler months.
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Tri-valley: Trails to treats
Just 45 minutes east of San Francisco, the Tri-Valley rewards hikers and their dogs with wide-open parkland and scenic vistas. After hitting the trails, treat yourself along the region's famous beer, wine and ice cream trails.
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Mountain majesty in the Eastern Sierra
Mammoth Lakes lives up to its name with endless alpine splash spots for dogs. Ride the Panoramic Gondola to the summit, hike to Twin Lakes, or let your pup swim at Horseshoe Lake and Convict Lake.
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Take a spring hike around Redding
Redding calls itself California's Trail Capital, with about 100 miles of dog-friendly paths in and around the city. Spring is ideal for hiking the Sacramento River Rail Trail, crossing the iconic Sundial Bridge and exploring McConnell Arboretum with your pup.
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Cool your jets (and your pets) in Sacramento
Sacramento's dining and brewery scene is booming, with dog-friendly patios everywhere you look. New spots like Mutts and Mugs dog park-pub, Two Rivers Cider Co. and Fountainhead Brewing give you and your pup plenty of reasons to visit.
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Pints, passports, prizes and paw prints
The Contra Costa County Beer Trail maps more than 40 breweries and taprooms, many dog-friendly. Grab a mobile passport, collect stamps at spots like Concord Tap House and Epidemic Ales, and earn prizes.
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Santa Cruz County’s offbeat bounty
Looking for something offbeat in Santa Cruz County? Walk meditation trails at Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, hike through 300 acres of redwood forest at Chaminade Resort, or refuel at Dharma's vegetarian restaurant. Dogs are welcome at all three.
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Wine down with your dog by your side
Monterey County's wine scene is wonderfully dog-friendly, from the intimate tasting rooms along the River Road Wine Trail to Carmel Valley's laid-back vineyards and the strollable Wine Walk by the Sea in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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Feeling fine in Felton
Just seven miles from Santa Cruz, Felton offers dog-friendly steam train rides through redwoods at Roaring Camp Railroads, trails at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and the quirky Bigfoot Discovery Museum.
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Become a water dog in Mendo County
The Mendocino Coast is a perfect summertime retreat, and the dog-friendly Little River Inn makes an ideal base. Their Water Dog package pairs ocean-view rooms with kayak tours through sea caves, plus easy access to beaches and state parks nearby.
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Only in California
Contra Costa County is packed with pup-friendly taprooms and craft breweries, and Concord makes an ideal base. Hike the Iron Horse Trail or stroll through Mount Diablo State Park to work up a thirst before hitting the taps.
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Swirl, sip and savor at Santa Cruz’s dog-friendly wineries
Santa Cruz County is home to more than 100 wineries, and many welcome dogs in their tasting rooms. From Bonny Doon Vineyard in Davenport to the Surf City Vintners collective, it is a great Highway 1 wine tour.
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Go coast crazy with your dog along Highway 1
Highway 1 along the California coast offers far more than stunning views. From dog-friendly beaches in San Luis Obispo County to redwood forests and wineries in Santa Cruz, there are endless reasons to explore with your pup.
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Dog-friendly Sierra County: Downieville and the Sierra Buttes
Sierra County's tiny town of Downieville on the Yuba River makes a perfect fall base camp. Sleep in a streamside cabin, fish the river and hike the steep Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail for jaw-dropping views from nearly 9,000 feet.
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GGNRA dog-walking saga: The backstory
After years of legal battles over dog walking restrictions in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the National Park Service withdrew its controversial dog management plan in 2017. The original 1979 rules allowing dogs on GGNRA lands remain in effect.
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Stay and play in Concord
Concord makes a convenient, affordable base for Bay Area DogTrekkers. Hike scenic regional parks, follow the Taco Trail through nearly 40 local restaurants, and settle into dog-friendly hotels with easy access to the Iron Horse Trail and Mount Diablo views.
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Make it Marin for dog-friendly GGNRA trails/beaches
More than 12,000 acres of GGNRA land in the Marin Headlands offer long on-leash walks and off-leash beach romps within view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Rodeo Beach, Muir Beach, and Fort Baker top the list of dog-friendly favorites.
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San Francisco county’s GGNRA bounty
San Francisco's GGNRA lands wrap nearly the entire shoreline, from Fort Mason to Fort Funston. Dogs can romp off-leash at select beaches, explore 24 miles of Presidio trails, and take in million-dollar views along the Lands End path.
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Choose Redding for new dog-friendly scenery, experiences
Redding and Upstate California offer a refreshing change of scenery for dogs and their people. Walk the Sacramento River Trail, marvel at Shasta Dam, explore Whiskeytown Lake, and chase waterfalls along the McCloud River.
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