Road trips Blog
Road trip tips for kids and dogs
Planning a family road trip with kids and dogs takes strategy, especially when booking hotels. Here's how to find truly dog-friendly lodging, from boutique brands like Kimpton to budget-friendly chains, plus what to ask before you reserve. Headed out on…
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Bark Park in Susanville: dog-friendly stop in Lassen County
Bark Park in Susanville offers separate off-leash areas for large and small dogs, open dawn to dusk. This Lassen County community gem is a welcome rest stop for travelers with pups on road trips through northeastern California.
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Winter pet-friendly activities in Yosemite Mariposa County
Yosemite Mariposa County is a wonderful winter destination for dogs and their people. Leashed pups can enjoy paved trails past iconic landmarks, snowy forest hikes, and cozy pet-friendly lodging at spots like Tenaya Lodge and AutoCamp Yosemite.
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7 California beaches where dogs run completely free
California offers seven world-class off-leash dog beaches, from Huntington Dog Beach's golden sands to Carmel Beach's iconic shoreline. This field-tested guide covers the best times to visit, parking tips and insider knowledge for each location.
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Rainy-day fun to keep your dog sane
When rain cancels the daily walk, your dog still needs engagement. Scent games, frozen Kongs, DIY puzzles and short training sessions can tire out a restless pup just as well as a hike.
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Dog-friendly Amador County winery tasting trail
If your idea of California wine country starts and ends with Napa, we need to talk. About 90 minutes east of Sacramento, Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in the state — and…
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Dog-friendly Bay Area spring getaways under 2 hours
Five spring dog-friendly escapes under two hours from San Francisco or Oakland: Half Moon Bay and Pescadero, Healdsburg and the Russian River, Calistoga and upper Napa, Bodega Bay and the Sonoma Coast, and Santa Cruz on the edge of Monterey…
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Dog-friendly hotels and RV parks in Gilroy, CA
Planning a road trip through Gilroy? Several hotels and RV parks welcome dogs, from the Best Western Plus Forest Park Inn to Betabel RV Park with its enclosed off-leash dog area.
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Spring pet-friendly activities in Yosemite Mariposa County
Spring in Yosemite Mariposa County brings swelling rivers, wildflowers, and fresh scents that delight dogs on paved paths where leashed pets are welcome. See Bridalveil Fall at peak flow, explore Sierra National Forest trails, and discover dog-friendly towns beyond the…
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Four dog-friendly California lakes to paddle and picnic
Spring is the sweet spot for California lakes. Water levels sit high after winter runoff, the summer houseboat parade hasn't started yet, and daytime temps are…
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Mother’s Day with your dog: four California getaways
Mother's Day lands on Sunday, May 10 this year, and the sweet spot for booking a California getaway is right now — about three weeks out, before the good rooms…
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Dog-friendly Sacramento River Delta: where to take your pup
If you're scouting a spring getaway that doesn't require a four-hour drive or a June reservation made in February, point the car east from the Bay Area toward the Sacramento River Delta.
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Hop on, paws up: JSX makes dog travel easy
JSX lets dogs fly in the cabin on 30-seat jets with no security lines and no cargo holds. Pups up to 79 pounds ride beside you on routes connecting Burbank, Oakland, Napa and other California cities, making weekend getaways stress-free.
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Dog’s guide to autumn: 5 Northern California day trips
Autumn in Northern California means cooler trails, colorful foliage and fewer crowds. These five dog-friendly day trips cover Apple Hill orchards, Gold Rush towns, ocean bluffs and redwood groves, each one perfect for a fall road trip with your pup.
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Winter and spring pet activities in Yosemite Mariposa County
Yosemite welcomes leashed dogs on paved roads and paths near iconic landmarks like Bridalveil Fall and Glacier Point. Beyond the park, the towns and trails of Mariposa County offer even more pet-friendly hikes, lodging, and dining worth discovering.
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Beyond the crowds in Mendocino County
Mendocino County pairs leash-free beaches, dog-welcoming wineries, botanical gardens, and kayak outfitters with cozy lodging from the Stanford Inn to state park campgrounds. Ride the Skunk Train with your pup or paddle an estuary in a canoe built for dogs.
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South Yuba River State Park
South Yuba River State Park in Nevada County strings together swimming holes, hiking trails, and gold-panning spots along the scenic Yuba River. Dogs are welcome nearly everywhere, making it a perfect weekend pairing with Grass Valley.
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Avenue of the Giants
The 31-mile Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt County winds through magnificent old-growth redwoods and wonderfully kitschy roadside attractions. Drive through the Chandelier Tree and explore a 250-acre redwood wilderness with your dog.
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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.
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Dog-friendly Paso Robles wine country
Paso Robles wine country rolls out the welcome mat for dogs at dozens of wineries along the Highway 46 wine trails. Hop-on tour services and private guides make it easy to sip and explore without driving.
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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.
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California’s best coastal dog-friendly towns
From Mendocino's Victorian headlands to Laguna Beach's gallery-lined streets, California's best coastal towns have quietly reshaped themselves around four-legged visitors. Expect water bowls at storefronts, treats at hotel check-in and patios where dogs are the guests of honor.
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Dog-friendly spring camping on California’s Central Coast
Why spring is the sweet spot for Central Coast camping If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to load up the car, leash the dog, and head for the coast, this is it. Spring on California’s Central Coast is…
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9 dog-friendly bed & breakfasts on the Mendocino Coast
9 dog-friendly bed & breakfasts across the Mendocino Coast, from Albion to Westport, drawn from DogTrekker’s directory of vetted pet-welcoming properties. Every property below links to its full DogTrekker listing with photos, pet policies, booking details, and directions. Blair House…
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