Road trips Blog
Tour Gold Rush towns
Mariposa County's towns all make great walks for you and Fido. In Mariposa, the shop-lined streets, Art Park and Mariposa Creek Walk make for a nice way to explore the quaint mountain community and several restaurants boast outdoor seating areas…
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The Gold Country, an amazing American road trip
California’s Gold Country, home to the Gold Rush in 1849, combines history, nature, authentic American West small towns, a sensational culinary scene, wine, microbreweries, and majestic scenery in a captivating way that no other California region rivals. The gold…
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Your dog-friendly to-do list in Yosemite National Park
Our friends at the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau have dished up this dog-friendly Yosemite itinerary for DogTrekker readers!
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Yosemite Mariposa County
Spend four pet-perfect days in Yosemite Mariposa County exploring historic towns, hiking dog-friendly paved trails in the valley, and venturing to quieter spots like Wawona Meadow and Hetch Hetchy. This detailed itinerary covers lodging, dining, and scenic drives for every…
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Yosemite Mariposa County four day dog-friendly itinerary
This four-day itinerary covers the best of Yosemite Mariposa County with your dog, from historic small towns and pet-friendly restaurants to Bridalveil Fall hikes, Wawona Meadow trails and scenic drives through the park.
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4-day dog-friendly autumn itinerary
This four-day autumn itinerary covers Yosemite Mariposa County's best dog-friendly adventures, from historic foothill towns to scenic trails inside and beyond the park. Visit in fall for lower prices, fewer crowds, and golden light on the valley's iconic granite walls.
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Dog-friendly Eastern Sierra spring: where to go
You don't need the high passes to enjoy the Eastern Sierra in spring. Highway 395 stays open all year, and Lone Pine, Bishop, Convict Lake, the June Lake Loop, and Mono Lake come to life in May and June with…
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Dog-friendly Father’s Day: 5 California trips dads will want
Five honest California Father's Day trips, all dog-friendly: McCloud and the Shasta Cascade, Paso Robles ranch country, Trinidad on the Humboldt coast, Mammoth Lakes at full stretch, and Nevada City in the Gold Country. Muddy dogs, cabin porches, no infusions.
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Dog-friendly Memorial Day weekend in California: 6 escapes
Six dog-friendly California escapes for Memorial Day weekend: North Lake Tahoe, the Mendocino coast, Big Bear Lake, Avila Beach, Bishop and the Eastern Sierra, and Bodega Bay. Each pick includes real places to stay, and why the rooms book out…
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New year, new adventures in Greater Palm Springs
Greater Palm Springs pairs dog-friendly desert hikes with sun-soaked patios and pet-welcoming hotels. Start the morning on the Bump and Grind Trail, stroll midcentury neighborhoods in the afternoon, then wind down at a brewery where your dog is always welcome.
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Affordable hotels near wine country? We’re all ears.
Vacaville offers affordable pet-friendly hotels with easy access to Napa, Sonoma and Suisun Valley wineries. Stay for less, sip world-class wines, and enjoy dog parks, patio dining and public art with your pup along the way.
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Exploring Greater Palm Springs with your dog
Greater Palm Springs offers dog-friendly desert adventures, from hiking Tahquitz Canyon to patio dining on El Paseo. Stay at pet-welcoming resorts like La Quinta, explore date gardens in Indio and soak up the laid-back desert vibe with your pup.
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Top destination stories of 2023
DogTrekker's most popular 2023 destination stories span the Golden State, from Sacramento's walkable dog scene to Placer County's mountain trails and beyond. These paw-tested reader favorites are packed with ideas to inspire your next California road trip.
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The Gold Country’s golden chain highway
Highway 49 links 330 miles of Gold Rush history, dog-friendly trails, and small-town charm. Base yourself in Oakhurst or Sonora for steam-train rides, state park explorations, living-history weekends at Columbia, and scenic Sierra detours along the way.
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Paw-some road trips from Sacramento
Sacramento's big backyard delivers dog-friendly road trips to Placer County waterfalls, Gold Country mining trails, and small-batch wineries in the Sacramento River Delta. Two-room suites at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade make a comfortable home base.
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Make Noyo Harbor Inn your ulti-mutt fall getaway
Noyo Harbor Inn in Fort Bragg pairs Mendocino Coast beauty with genuine dog-friendly hospitality. Leashed dogs join guests at HarborView Bistro, and the inn's grounds and nearby coastal trails make it easy to keep your pup happy all weekend.
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Dog-friendly lakes not named “Tahoe”
Skip the Tahoe crowds and explore California's quieter dog-friendly lakes instead. From Clear Lake in Lake County to Big Bear, Shasta Lake and more, these alternatives offer great swimming, boating and shoreline fun with your pup.
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Best dog-friendly lakes in California
California is loaded with dog-friendly lakes for swimming, fetching, and cooling off. From Lake Tahoe's alpine beaches to the warm waters of San Luis Reservoir and Big Bear Lake, here are the best spots for a water day with your…
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Introducing the DogTrekker Southern California portal
DogTrekker's new SoCal Portal showcases Southern California's best dog-friendly places to stay, play, hike, dine, and splash, from laid-back beach towns to high-desert escapes. Sunshine, surf, mountains and deserts—Southern California is a dog lover's dream. DogTrekker.com's brand-new SoCal Portal pulls…
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Attention all water dogs: It’s splash season
California's splash season means it's time to hit the water with your dog. From Russian River paddling trips to Mendocino coast kayaking, these DogTrekker-tested favorites offer seaside coves, freshwater lakes and rivers for every water-loving pup.
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Plan your perfect Sacramento daycation
Sacramento is a dog-travel powerhouse with 32 miles of river parkway trails, farm-to-fork dining on spacious patios and craft breweries that welcome pups. These one-day itineraries pair top dog-friendly hotels with the best the capital city has to offer.
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Hit reset in the sunny Shasta Cascade region
The Shasta Cascade region spans eight Northern California counties filled with mountains, forests, rivers and high desert. For dog lovers, it means room to roam, small-town hospitality, swimming holes and long trails with dramatic volcanic scenery around every bend.
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Best ADA and guide dog friendly trails in California
California is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the country, and everyone deserves to experience them — including hikers with guide dogs, service dogs, and mobility needs. These ADA-accessible trails offer breathtaking scenery without barriers.
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Marin County: Trails, off-leash beaches, and waterfront patios
Cross the Golden Gate and the whole vibe changes. Sausalito shimmers off the water, redwoods close in around Mill Valley, and somehow five minutes from San Francisco, you’re in the kind of place where dogs are expected at the coffee…
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