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.
Time out for Tuolumne County (Yosemite north entrance)
Tuolumne County's Gold Rush towns along the route to Yosemite's north entrance have a relaxed attitude toward dogs. Stagecoach rides in Columbia, vintage train excursions in Jamestown and the scenic John Muir Highway make this a rewarding approach.
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Rush on up to Redding
Redding is your gateway to the Shasta Cascade region, starting with a stroll across the stunning Sundial Bridge and 19 miles of Sacramento River trails. Walk across Shasta Dam, enjoy dog-friendly patio dining, and stay at welcoming local hotels.
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Hike, splash, camp at Tuolumne County lakes
Tuolumne County's mountain lakes offer swimming, hiking, camping and boating with your dog. From popular Pinecrest Lake to massive Lake Don Pedro, where you can rent a dog-friendly houseboat, there is a waterside adventure for every pup.
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Walking trails and waggin’ tails near the Stanford Inn
The Stanford Inn in Mendocino makes walking with your dog a wellness practice. Trails through Mendocino Headlands State Park and Van Damme State Beach are a short drive away, offering ocean views and forest beauty.
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Yosemite is positively pawsome for dogs
Yes, Yosemite is dog-friendly, with some caveats. Leashed dogs are welcome at several campgrounds, in picnic areas, and on paved paths in the valley. Here's what you need to know about the rules before heading out with your pup.
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Hiking ‘California’s Switzerland’
The Eastern Sierra's Little Lakes Valley Trail winds past seven high-elevation lakes below 13,000-foot peaks, with wildflowers in summer and blazing fall color in October. Nearby Convict Lake offers an easy 3-mile loop with dramatic mountain scenery.
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Dogcation adventures at the Stanford Inn and beyond
DogCation contest winner Jolene shares her Mendocino County adventure with two pups at the Stanford Inn by the Sea. Highlights included canoeing up the Big River, riding the Skunk Train from Willits, and spending days on Fort Bragg's off-leash beaches.
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Journey to Wawona (Madera County, south entrance)
The Highway 41 corridor from Oakhurst to Yosemite's south entrance is full of dog-friendly stops. Bass Lake resorts, the quirky town of Coarsegold, a steam train in Fish Camp and the luxury Tenaya Lodge all welcome four-legged travelers.
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Paws for an overnight break in Mendocino County
With summer crowds gone and low-season specials in play, fall and winter are ideal for a dog-friendly Mendocino County coast getaway. The Little River Inn, Beachcomber Motel, and other welcoming properties offer cozy rooms and easy beach access.
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Hike-in breakfast with a view
Hike two miles up Mount Tamalpais to West Point Inn for a monthly pancake breakfast with sweeping views. Or head to Cavallo Point Lodge near the Golden Gate Bridge for trails and a dog-friendly patio restaurant.
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Take time to coast
Mendocino County's vast public lands offer everything from off-leash coastal walks at Stornetta Public Lands to beach romps at Noyo Beach in Fort Bragg. The historic Point Arena Lighthouse even has pet-friendly vacation rentals right on the grounds.
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Lots to do on dog-friendly Cannery Row
Monterey's Cannery Row is a dog-friendly destination packed with waterfront restaurants, wine tasting rooms, shops, and pet-welcoming hotels. Stroll the historic mile of coastline and soak in the seaside atmosphere with your pup.
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Tails wag on Big Sur Coast
A drive along the Big Sur coast with your dog means breathtaking ocean views, purple-sand beaches, and walks through towering redwoods. Dog-friendly stops include Sand Dollar Beach, Pfeiffer Beach, and several state park campgrounds with cabins for overnight stays.
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Get gushy with your puppy – Redding hikes
Waterfalls near Redding are flowing and swimming holes await. Hike behind the cascade at Hedge Creek Falls in Dunsmuir, then take your dog to see three levels of McCloud River Falls on a scenic round-trip hike.
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Breed restrictions are the pits
Finding dog-friendly hotels can be tough when you have a large or restricted breed. One DogTrekker reader shares her great experience traveling with two pit bulls to San Luis Inn and Suites, where the staff treated her dogs like royalty.
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Spring rambles in the South Bay
South of San Francisco, spring turns the hills green and the trails inviting. Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve offers 17 acres of off-leash fun, while the Uvas Canyon Waterfall Loop near Morgan Hill delivers waterfalls, footbridges and lush scenery.
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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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Big reds and good times in Amador County
Amador County is wine country heaven for dog owners, with more than 20 wineries welcoming four-legged visitors. Beyond the annual Barbera Festival, Sutter Creek and Jackson offer charming B&Bs, dog-friendly vacation rentals and Main Street tasting rooms to explore.
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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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Lake County dog-friendly waterfront getaways
Pet-friendly cabin resorts line the shores of Clear Lake and Blue Lakes in Lake County. From waterfront cabins with full kitchens and boat launches to the meticulously renovated Lodge at Blue Lakes, lakeside getaways with your dog abound.
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Get wet at a Monterey County splash spot
Carmel City Beach tops the list of Monterey County splash spots where dogs run free on powdery sand. Beyond that famous strand, leash-friendly beaches from Asilomar to Pfeiffer Beach offer stunning scenery for you and your pup.
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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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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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