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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Australian Shepherd dog runs through the water

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.

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.

Paws for a good read

From heartwarming memoirs to playful picture books, this curated reading list from the Stanford Inn by the Sea features great titles for dog lovers. Picks include Finding Gobi, William Wegman's Being Human, and the whimsical Find Momo series.

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.

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.

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.

Traveling with a blind or deaf dog

Deaf and blind dogs can be wonderful travel companions with a little extra planning. Stick to familiar routines, keep them leashed in new places, bring bedding that smells like home, and maintain regular feeding schedules for comfort on the road.

Local tips from the top (human) dog

DogTrekker's co-founder shares insider tips for visiting Monterey County with your dog, from boarding options near the aquarium to indoor dog-friendly restaurants perfect for cooler days along the Central Coast.

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.

Dog-friendly Amador County: Gold Country wine and history

Amador County along Highway 49 is Gold Country at its finest, with historic hotels, robust zinfandels and dog-friendly tasting rooms. Time your visit for the annual Barbera Festival or enjoy wine and live music any weekend in Sutter Creek.

Tips on traveling with a senior dog

Older dogs can be sensitive to changes in routine, so traveling with a senior pup requires extra planning. From packing familiar items and medications to keeping vet records handy, these tips help your companion stay comfortable.

Time to revisit Yosemite with your dog

Early fall brings thinner crowds and autumn color to Yosemite, and there is more for dogs to do than you might expect. Leashed pups can walk to Lower Yosemite Fall and along the valley bike paths.

Hop on a houseboat with your pup

A houseboat vacation means water, sun and quality time with your dog. Trinity Lake and Lake Don Pedro both offer dog-friendly houseboat rentals through Suntex Marinas, with fishing boats and pontoons available too. Here's what you need to know.

Road trip! explore a scenic byway

Fall is prime time for a scenic drive through California's mountains with your dog. Three standout routes cross the Sierra and Cascades, from the twisting Ebbetts Pass to Yosemite's Tioga Road and the 500-mile Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway.

Dog-passionate places to rest heads and paws

The Mendocino Coast has hotels that truly love dogs, greeting them with treats, beds and bowls. From the eco-luxury Stanford Inn to the Victorian-era Little River Inn and Fort Bragg's Beachcomber properties, pet pampering is the standard here.

Paws for dinner on the patio

The Harborview Bistro and Bar at Noyo Harbor Inn serves locally sourced seafood and farm-fresh dishes on a dog-friendly patio overlooking the river. Chef Duboc pulls fish from the harbor and herbs from the inn gardens.

A pedigreed playground for your pup

Fort Bragg Noyo Harbor Inn puts you steps from a fishing village, state park beaches, the Skunk Train, and Glass Beach. Off-leash dog areas at Noyo Beach and Seaside Beach make this Mendocino Coast stretch a pup paradise.

High altitude amenities

Tenaya Lodge, set among 50 acres of Sierra National Forest just two miles from Yosemite, rolls out the red carpet for dogs. Their pet package includes beds, bowls, treats, plus dog-sitting and kennel services.

Gateway to farm and wine country

Vacaville makes a smart, affordable base for wine country trips with your dog. Stay at half the price of Napa hotels and daytrip to dog-friendly wineries in nearby Suisun Valley, where family-owned tasting rooms welcome four-legged visitors.

Redding family fare (dogs included of course!)

Redding makes a great family base camp with dogs. Stay at the pet-friendly Sheraton near the Sundial Bridge, explore riverside trails and botanical gardens, then take the kids to Caldwell Park or rent a dog-friendly houseboat on Shasta Lake.

Lodging and camping

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Lodging and camping

Lodging and camping

Lodging and camping Blog