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.
Cooper loved to travel
Cooper the Lab mix lived ten adventure-packed years as an avid DogTrekker, from winery visits at Gundlach Bundschu in Sonoma to Shirley Canyon hikes at Palisades Tahoe and beach romps at Fort Funston. His owner Niki shares how DogTrekker shaped…
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Kick and glide with Fido at your side
Several Lake Tahoe cross-country ski resorts welcome dogs on groomed trails. Tahoe Donner offers eight dog-friendly routes plus fire-pit relaxation after your run, while Tahoe Cross Country and Kirkwood sell doggy day passes for their own designated trail networks.
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Lake Tahoe fall fun
Fall in Tahoe means golden aspens, glassy lake mornings, and thinning crowds. Base yourself in Truckee for the best leaf color and trail access, chase reflections at Spooner Lake, and enjoy shoulder-season dining before the short window of peak color…
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Paw your way to High Camp
Palisades Tahoe's dog-friendly aerial tram whisks you and your pup 2,000 feet up to High Camp, where hiking trails wind through wildflower meadows and down Shirley Canyon. Four-legged hikers ride free, and food awaits at both ends.
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Spring forward at Lake Tahoe
Spring is Tahoe's overlooked shoulder season, and that's exactly why it works so well with a dog. Snow melts off the lower trails, crowds vanish, and the lake shifts through shades of blue while meltwater-fed rivers run fast through pine…
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Reserving a camping spot for Spot
Booking a dog-friendly campsite in California takes planning, especially at popular coastal and mountain spots that fill up months ahead. Here is a guide to reservation resources, strategies for snagging last-minute cancellations, and tips for scoring first-come sites on weekends.
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Lake Tahoe: Winter fun with your dog
Winter in North Lake Tahoe brings fewer crowds, deep snow, and a landscape made for long walks with your dog. From Truckee's gritty main street to Kings Beach's quiet shoreline and Tahoe City's groomed Nordic trails, each community offers its…
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Tails in Tahoe
Fall at Lake Tahoe means golden aspens, cooler trails, and thinner crowds. From easy lakeshore strolls at Kiva Beach and the Rainbow Trail at Taylor Creek to backcountry routes into Desolation Wilderness, the hiking options with your dog are practically…
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This snow season, sample California’s best
From SNO-Parks and Big Bear Lake to Lake Tahoe and Mammoth, California delivers serious winter fun for dogs and their people. Snowshoe through national forest, sled powder-covered meadows, and retreat to pet-friendly cabins and lodges across the Sierra Nevada.
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Romantic retreats worth woofing about
February calls for a romantic alpine getaway for three. Lake Tahoe offers dog-friendly luxury at the Ritz-Carlton Northstar with plush dog beds and Yappy Hours, cozy rustic charm at Fireside Lodge, and stunning cabin retreats in Mammoth Lakes and nearby…
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California’s top tail-wagging destinations: Adventure awaits
A south-to-north road trip through California's best dog-friendly destinations, from Ocean Beach in San Diego and Runyon Canyon in LA to Big Bear Lake, Carmel Beach and beyond. Each stop pairs off-leash fun with pet-welcoming hotels and cafes.
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48 hours of tail-wagging fun in Sacramento
A weekend itinerary for Sacramento with your dog, from Saturday morning walks in Capitol Park and mural hopping in Midtown to Sunday brunch at dog-friendly patios, off-leash parks, and a River Fox Train ride that welcomes pups.
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Wild Blue canine camp is calling!
Wild Blue Dogs hosts weeklong sleepaway camps on the shores of Lake Tahoe for you and your pup. The all-inclusive experience features hikes, swims, campfires and training, and every dollar raised goes toward canine cancer treatment and research.
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Discover dog-friendly Oakland: A canine paradise
Oakland is one of the Bay Area's most dog-welcoming cities, with 73 regional parks, off-leash trails in the hills, sunny weather when San Francisco is socked in with fog, and walkable neighborhoods like Rockridge and Temescal lined with dog-friendly patios…
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Dog-friendly Tahoe Keys Resort
Tahoe Keys Resort offers dog-friendly cabins, condos, and homes in a 740-acre private marina community with easy lake access. The dog-passionate staff greets canine guests with treats and insider tips on the best hikes and restaurants around South Lake Tahoe.
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You’ll fall for this season’s dog-friendly events
Fall in California brings a wave of dog-friendly events, from the Pismo Beach Corgi Getaway and Berkeley Humane's adopt-a-thon to DogFest Northwest in Oakland, Bark in the Park in San Jose, and Halloween costume contests in Big Bear Village.
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Lake Tahoe is a winter wonderland
South Lake Tahoe in winter means cross-country skiing, lakeside walks, and cozy fireplaces shared with your dog. Pet-friendly properties like the Beach Retreat, Fireside Lodge, and Desolation Hotel make the south shore an ideal cold-weather base for snow-season adventures.
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Lake Tahoe’s best-in-show dog camp
Wild Blue Dogs hosts an all-inclusive dog camp on Lake Tahoe's Nevada shore, featuring agility classes, nose work, kayaking, and more led by certified trainers. Proceeds support canine cancer research, making this a vacation with real purpose.
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Cabins in the woods: Tahoma Meadows and Desolation Hotel
Tahoma Meadows B&B Cottages on Lake Tahoe's West Shore and Desolation Hotel in Hope Valley both welcome dogs warmly and serve as great base camps for winter adventures. Cross-country ski or snowshoe nearby at Meeks Bay, Blackwood Canyon, or the…
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Plumas County: Majestic peaks and pup-friendly trails
Plumas County stretches between Mount Lassen and Lake Tahoe, with national forest covering more than 75% of the landscape. Paddle Lake Almanor, hike the 11-mile recreation trail, camp at Rocky Point, and explore the charming town of Quincy with your…
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Go big at Big Bear
Big Bear Lake sits at 6,743 feet in the San Bernardino mountains and welcomes dogs year-round. Snowshoe forest roads, walk lakeside trails, then warm up in a pet-friendly cabin before hitting one of the many restaurants with dog-friendly patio seating.
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Get some snowshine at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a winter playground for dogs who love snow. Snowshoe at Echo Lakes, cross-country ski at Tahoe Donner, or trek through open snowfields near Palisades Tahoe. Sno-Park permits unlock access to trails across the basin, with reliable snow…
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Majestic, dog-friendly California mountain towns
California's mountain towns offer breathtaking trails, crystal-clear lakes, and welcoming communities for dogs and their people. From Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes and Big Bear, these high-altitude getaways promise year-round adventure.
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Tahoe splash: Dog-friendly things to do in Tahoe
Summer at Lake Tahoe means beach romps, mountain hikes, and tram rides with your dog. Splash at dog-friendly beaches, hike Shirley Canyon Trail to High Camp at Palisades Tahoe, or join Wild Blue Dogs camp.
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