Lodging and camping Blog

The DogTrekker.com research and editorial teams are experts at California dog travel, with great stories about the best lodging and camping places across the state to stay where your dogs are as welcome as you are. Get the scoop on dog-friendly hotels and lodging, from luxury resorts to economical motels, rustic cabins to campgrounds, vacation rentals to B&B’s.

Dogs get star treatment at the Little River Inn

Plenty of hotels permit dogs. Little River Inn has 80 years of hospitality history with a penchant for pups. Treats appear at check-in, fireplaces glow in ocean-view rooms and five heated cabanas let the whole pack dine together above the…

Kayaks, canoes and ocean-view rooms

Dogs love chasing tides and catching currents in Mendocino. Lucky us, Little River Inn gives pet parents curated access to two of the coast’s most memorable water adventures: kayaking the sea caves off Van Damme State Park and gliding up…

Kayak the sea caves of Van Damme

Few experiences anywhere let you paddle in a sea cave with your dog aboard—and this one launches from Van Damme beach, just minutes from the Little River Inn. A local guide leads you beneath towering cliffs and into protected coves…

Take it easy on a Big River outrigger

Prefer flat water to ocean swell? Big River delivers. Climb into an ultra-stable outrigger canoe outfitted for dogs and paddle a redwood-lined estuary at the most relaxed pace on the coast. It’s made for first-time paddlers, older pups, kids and…

Cozy up at the Little River Inn

Winter on the Mendocino coast means fewer crowds, dramatic storms and cozy stays at Little River Inn. Two seasonal specials make it even more tempting, and dog-friendly rooms plus heated dining cabanas mean your pup is part of every moment.

Puptopia dogs fire hydrant restored 4132x2324

Your guide to Puptopia Big Bear 2026

Clear the calendar and get the car road trip ready—the mountains are howling! Big Bear Puptopia Festival is coming up on Saturday, July 25. The charming dog-centric celebration makes the perfect anchor to a fun-filled weekend along the shores of…

Last chance to join Wild Blue Dogs’ paw-some fall camp

Wild Blue Dogs Fall Camp is a six-night, all-inclusive retreat on 33 acres at Lake Tahoe. Professional trainers lead agility, nose work, paddleboarding, and 100-plus activities, while registration fees support canine cancer research. Early bird pricing ends April 30.

The Beachcomber family welcomes you and your dog

A family-run hospitality group we’ve long admired recently expanded their Fort Bragg pawprint. Siblings Bob Hunt and Pam Amante—the team behind the dog-friendly Beachcomber Motel, Surf & Sand Lodge, and Beach House Inn—added The Wharf Restaurant and Anchor Lodge to…

The Beachcomber Hotel Group dog-friendly hotel line-up

The flagship, perched directly on the bluff above MacKerricher State Park, the Beachcomber puts 10 miles of dog-walkable beach and the Coastal Trail right out the back door.

Beachcomber Motel balcony chairs facing ocean

A family story 50 years in the making

Every great dog-friendly hotel has a story, but the Beachcomber Hotel Group’s might be the most charming one on the Mendocino Coast.

Stay together on the San Francisco Peninsula

Traveling with your dog has never been easier or more enjoyable on the San Francisco Peninsula. From sleek, design-forward hotels in the heart of Silicon Valley to cozy coastal retreats along Half Moon Bay, there’s no shortage of welcoming…

Furry friend(ly) dining: Enjoy Greater Palm Springs dog-friendly restaurants

Greater Palm Springs is packed with dog-friendly patios where tails wag as happily as forks. From Boozehounds' dedicated dog menu to relaxed brunch spots with sunny sidewalk seating, this desert oasis makes dining with your four-legged foodie effortless.

Fetch sun and sea on the San Francisco Peninsula

Home to 60+ miles of Pacific coastline and 30 miles of San Francisco Bay shores, The San Francisco Peninsula puts beach adventures in easy reach. Conveniently located between Silicon Valley and the City by the Bay, this pup-focused destination features…

Kayla and her big ball. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

Splash hits: Summer delights for water-loving dogs

The dog days of summer are here! Got a pup who loves the water? California's rivers, lakes and coastal landscapes welcome four-legged family members with paw-some adventures.

Hit the water on spectacular Lake Siskiyou

Lake Siskiyou is strikingly beautiful, incredibly dog-friendly and delightfully under the radar. Set among the waterfalls and wilderness of northwestern California, near the Oregon border, it’s especially inviting in the summer.

Rove the rivers and coastline of magical Mendocino

Few places cater to water-loving canines like Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too. A perennial DogTrekker favorite, this Mendocino coast mainstay runs guided tours and rents dog-friendly watersports equipment on the Stanford Inn grounds. Innkeepers Joan and Jeff Stanford have…

Explore The San Francisco Peninsula – paws welcome!

Welcome to the San Francisco Peninsula — where family-friendly travel includes your four-legged companions. From scenic hiking trails and dog-friendly beaches to charming, walkable downtowns, The Peninsula makes it easy to create memorable experiences with your pet by your side.

Live like a local in dog-friendly Sacramento

Set along the Sacramento and American rivers, Sacramento offers endless activities and an engaging dog-friendly lifestyle. Mornings start on waterfront trails. Afternoons unfold across sun-kissed parks and restaurant patios. Each evening, serene, stylish hotels invite four- and two-legged guests to…