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.

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.

Yearning for Yolo

Yolo County rewards those who pull off the highway with dog-friendly tasting rooms in Winters, farm tours in the Capay Valley, new wineries along the Sacramento River in Clarksburg and patio dining throughout.

Moseying through Mendocino County

A dog-friendly road trip up the Mendocino coast covers bluff trails in Gualala, the Stornetta National Monument near Point Arena, Victorian Mendocino village, and Fort Bragg, with cozy inns and vacation rentals along the way.

Huge fields of lupines blooming near Folsom Reservoir.

Gold Country flower power five favorite dog-friendly hikes

Spring wildflowers light up Gold Country trails from February through May. Here are five favorite dog-friendly hikes, including Hite Cove near Yosemite, Hidden Falls in Placer County and Buttermilk Bend along the South Yuba River.

Lola and Leroy on an adventure in Gold Country.

El Dorado County’s adventure loop

The El Dorado County Adventure Loop packs 45 miles of Gold Country exploration into one weekend, with dog-friendly hiking at Cronan Ranch, wine tasting at Jose Wine Caves and Gold Rush history in Coloma.

Kayla puttin’ on the Ritz

DogTrekker's Kayla put on the Ritz at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, where dogs get cozy beds, gourmet treats, and weekend Yappy Hours on the Backyard Terrace featuring canine cocktails and locally made dog bones. The pampering starts the moment you…

Meandering the Mendo Coast with your dog

Mendocino County's 102 miles of winding coastline reward slow travelers with leash-free beaches, Glass Beach, botanical gardens, scenic trails through MacKerricher State Park and cozy seaside lodgings from Fort Bragg to Gualala.

Traveling the SLO lane with your dog

San Luis Obispo County's 70 miles of Highway 1 coastline offer dog-friendly beaches, off-leash coves, patio dining and charming inns from San Simeon to Pismo Beach. Your pup will love every sandy, sun-soaked mile of this Central Coast road trip.

Discover the ‘Lost Sierra’

The Lost Sierra region in Plumas County, an hour north of Lake Tahoe, offers a refreshing alternative to crowded mountain resorts. Dog-friendly lodges like Chalet View and Gray Eagle pair with over a million acres of Plumas National Forest trails.

Shasta County gushers near Redding

Spring is prime time to hike to the four major waterfalls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area near Redding. This is one of the rare National Park Service sites that allows leashed dogs on dirt trails.

Lots to wag about in Tri-Valley

The Tri-Valley communities of Pleasanton, Danville, Livermore, and Dublin are loaded with dog-friendly restaurants, pet boutiques, wine bars, and street fairs. Four adjacent valleys offer a refreshing weekend escape for San Francisco and Sacramento day-trippers with dogs.

Bright Red Golden Retriever Dog by the River — Adobe Images

East Bay hikes for fresh-air fiends

The East Bay and Tri-Valley offer outstanding hiking for you and your dog, from the compact Acalanes Ridge to the 5,000-acre Del Valle Regional Park. East Bay Regional Park District properties welcome off-leash dogs with reliable recall.

Mariposa County (west/Arch Rock) entrance

Mariposa County's Highway 140 corridor to Yosemite's west entrance offers dog-friendly wineries, charming cafes and a range of lodging from the rustic Yosemite Bug resort to riverside rooms at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal.

Tuolumne County (north/Big Oak Flat) entrance

The Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite runs through rugged Tuolumne County, where dog-friendly lodging, dining and hikes line the route. Stop in historic Coulterville at the Hotel Jeffery or take the scenic John Muir Highway through Gold Country.

Diesel & Oliver’s seaside adventure

DogCation winners Ashley and Chris took Diesel and Oliver to Nick's Cove on Tomales Bay, where their cabin overlooked the water and the staff treated their dogs like family. Day trips included Kehoe Beach and swimming at Millerton Point.

Up the hill in Placerville with your furry sidekick

Placerville, once known as Hangtown, is now one of Gold Country's most dog-friendly towns. Check into the historic Cary House Hotel, dine on Main Street patios, hike along the American River and explore nearby Apple Hill with your pup.

Summer fun with your pup in Folsom

Folsom blends Gold Rush history with modern outdoor fun. Stroll dog-friendly Old Town, hike 50-plus miles of paved trails including the Johnny Cash Trail, cool off at Lake Natoma and let your pup run free at Fido Field dog park.

El Dorado County

El Dorado County is classic Gold Country, with the historic Cary House Hotel in Placerville, dog-friendly wineries along the Adventure Loop and living history events at Marshall Gold Discovery State Park where the Gold Rush began.

Mendocino County ‘hole in one’

The Madrones in Philo, Mendocino County, bundles a tasting room, wood-fired restaurant, wellness spa, and five pet-friendly guest quarters into one Italian-style compound. Next door, The Brambles offers quirky Victorian cabins in the redwoods.

Lake County hideaway

Bed and Barrel at Stonehouse Cellars in Lake County Clearlake Oaks is a winery, tasting room, and B&B where dogs roam free. Nearby, Clear Lake and Blue Lakes offer swimming, fishing, and boat rentals for the whole family.

Lake County dog-friendly campgrounds

Lake County has plenty of dog-friendly campgrounds for summer fun. Private resorts like The Narrows offer full hookups and waterfront access, while Clear Lake State Park has 149 drive-up sites with swimming and hiking nearby.

Silicon Valley through a DogTrekker lens

Silicon Valley hides a wine region in plain sight. The Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail links 34 family-owned wineries near Gilroy, many welcoming dogs. At Kirigin Cellars, bring a tennis ball for fetch between tastings.

Lodging for furry friends and their families

Concord's newest hotel, the Hampton Inn, offers outstanding dog-friendly service just a mile from Todos Santos Plaza. It joins four other pet-welcoming properties in town, and the free Concord Perro Trail guide maps out dog-friendly restaurants, parks, and tap rooms.

Greater Ontario, gateway to the SoCal experience

Greater Ontario is a pet-friendly gateway to Southern California adventure. With affordable hotels, free parking and easy access to lakes, deserts, vineyards and the Pacific Ocean, it's the perfect base for exploring SoCal with your dog in any direction.

Lodging and camping

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Lodging and camping

Lodging and camping

Lodging and camping Blog