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!
Illness shuts down Nuevo Dog Park in Santa Clara
Nuevo Dog Park in Santa Clara closed indefinitely after multiple dogs fell severely ill and one died following visits. City officials are testing for toxins while pet owners share stories of sudden vomiting, seizures and emergency vet trips.
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Best dog-friendly hikes in the East Bay
The East Bay Regional Park District manages over 125,000 acres across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. From Point Isabel's off-leash shoreline to Mission Peak's steep summit climb, these are the regional parks every Bay Area dog should know.
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South Yuba River Independence Trail: A dog-friendly adventure
The South Yuba River Independence Trail in Nevada County features reconstructed wooden flumes, scenic river views, and a swimming hole perfect for dogs. This historic canal path, now the nation's first wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail, welcomes leashed dogs year-round.
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Do we hear an echo? Check out Echo Lakes!
Echo Lakes near Highway 50 at Echo Summit offer a flat, frozen surface perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with your dog. Trek downhill to Lower Echo, then continue to the upper lake for stunning Sierra scenery.
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Lake Del Valle: Paradise for water dogs
Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore offers 5,000 acres, a five-mile lake, off-leash trails, and one of the few places where your dog can join you on a rental boat. Pack a picnic, bring a fishing rod, and plan to…
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Mendocino County’s coastal scenery
Mendocino County's coastline rewards a week of exploring with your dog. Pet-friendly inns provide bowls and towels, Mendocino Headlands allows leashed dogs on trails, and Catch-a-Canoe rents special dog canoes for floating the Big River.
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Pet-friendly Monterey wine country
Monterey Wine Country spreads across three dog-friendly wine trails near Carmel Valley. Family-owned tasting rooms along Carmel Valley Road, the River Road bench, and the Monterey Bay coastline welcome four-legged visitors with open arms and outdoor seating.
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Kayla takes on Blithedale Summit
Blithedale Summit in Marin County Open Space offers a 6.6-mile loop where dogs can run off-leash on fire roads with sweeping views of Mount Tam, the Bay bridges, San Francisco, and the Pacific.
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Dallying in Davis
The 100-acre U.C. Davis Arboretum is a leafy retreat along the campus waterway, with globally themed gardens and plenty of fellow dog walkers. Let your pup run free at nearby Toad Hollow Dog Park afterward.
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“Voluntourism” opportunities at Milo
The Milo Foundation's 283-acre sanctuary in Mendocino County welcomes volunteers to walk dogs, socialize cats, and help with chores. Families can arrange day or overnight visits, camp on-site, and bring their own well-behaved dogs to explore off-leash trails.
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South Yuba River State Park
South Yuba River State Park in Nevada County strings together swimming holes, hiking trails, and gold-panning spots along the scenic Yuba River. Dogs are welcome nearly everywhere, making it a perfect weekend pairing with Grass Valley.
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Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Marin offers dog-friendly camping, the five-mile Cross Marin Trail, and an ideal base for exploring nearby Point Reyes beaches. Hike the redwoods, then head to Kehoe Beach for a romp.
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Say hello to Folsom
Folsom offers dog-friendly fun year-round, from hiking and water sports at Folsom Lake to strolling the revitalized Sutter Street historic district. Let your pup run free at Fido Field, then grab lunch at a sidewalk cafe.
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Sleeping with Sparky in Carmel
Carmel has more than 20 hotels and inns that genuinely welcome dogs, from the legendary Cypress Inn to Carmel Mission Inn with its 37-acre park trail. This is a town where four-legged guests are truly cherished.
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Avenue of the Giants
The 31-mile Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt County winds through magnificent old-growth redwoods and wonderfully kitschy roadside attractions. Drive through the Chandelier Tree and explore a 250-acre redwood wilderness with your dog.
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Exploring the Tri-Valley
The Tri-Valley east of San Francisco Bay is home to Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon. The Livermore Wine Valley's 40-plus wineries welcome dogs, open-space preserves offer miles of trails, and dog-friendly patios and hotels make overnight visits easy.
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Explore Sacramento and Folsom
Sacramento and Folsom both played key roles in the Gold Rush and celebrate that legacy today. Stroll Old Sacramento's waterfront, browse Folsom's revitalized Sutter Street, and connect the two cities via the 32-mile American River Parkway with your dog.
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Make a splash in Marin
Marin County is loaded with dog-friendly beaches, from off-leash Muir Beach to the magical shores of Point Reyes National Seashore. Kehoe Beach, Limantour Beach, Dillon Beach, and Rodeo Beach each offer stunning scenery and room for your pup to romp.
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SLO down already
San Luis Obispo County's Central Coast is mellow for dogs and humans alike. Off-leash fun awaits at Olde Port Beach near Avila, while leashed pups can enjoy Pismo State Beach, Cayucos State Beach, and the secluded shores near Morro Rock.
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So nice at San Anselmo’s Sorich Park
San Anselmo's Sorich Ranch Open Space is a Marin County gem with wide-open trails where dogs can roam off-leash. A moderate incline leads to views high above town, and the diverse mix of dogs and hikers makes every visit social.
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Trekking in Temecula
Temecula's high-desert wine country welcomes dogs to over a dozen tasting rooms, patio restaurants with doggie menus, and a strollable Old Town district. Stay at a golf resort or vineyard inn and explore local parks.
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Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego
Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego welcome dogs in campgrounds and along hundreds of miles of dirt roads, even though trails are off-limits. Dog-friendly lodging surrounds both parks, and winter through early spring brings ideal weather and spectacular desert wildflowers.
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Death Valley National Park
Death Valley in winter offers mild temperatures and over 700 miles of backcountry roads where leashed dogs are welcome. Stay at dog-friendly Stovepipe Wells Village and take in salt flats, mountain vistas, and geologic wonders on scenic driving routes.
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Clearly Clear Lake
A road trip from Santa Rosa to Clear Lake makes for a great dog-friendly getaway. Stop to hike Hood Mountain, lunch on patios in Healdsburg, browse dog-welcoming wine bars, and float the Russian River before heading north to Lake County.
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