Road trips Blog
California’s best dog-friendly resorts
Resorts are different from hotels. A hotel is somewhere you sleep between activities. A resort is the activity — grounds you can walk for an hour, restaurants and bars on the property, water access, real space for a dog to…
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Idyllwild with your dog: a complete mountain-town weekend guide
Idyllwild is the rare California mountain town where the entire community operates as if dogs are part of the deal. The lodging is dog-friendly, the restaurants have proper dog-friendly patios instead of one bench out back, the trails out of…
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A Greater Palm Springs dog-friendly itinerary for four-legged fun
A dog-friendly day-and-night itinerary for Greater Palm Springs — morning trails at Whitewater or Homme/Adams, El Paseo strolling, Moorten Botanical Garden, pool-side afternoons, and patio dinners at Boozehounds or Jake's. Plus ideas to stretch it into a full weekend.
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Four-legged fun: A dog-friendly itinerary
A three-day dog-friendly Greater Palm Springs itinerary across the nine-city region. Trail mornings at Homestead and Whitewater, afternoons on El Paseo, breweries and patios, plus desert-travel tips for keeping your pup safe in the sun.
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Exploring dog-friendly Lake Tahoe: An adventurer’s guide
Lake Tahoe welcomes dogs at sandy beaches like Kiva and Lake Forest, on forested trails from easy loops to summit hikes, and at patio restaurants with treats at the ready. This guide covers everything you need for a Tahoe trip…
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Best Southern California doggie swim spots
Southern California is loaded with places where dogs can cool off, from the famous off-leash waves at Huntington Dog Beach to calm inland lakes and hidden creeks. This guide covers the best swim spots and what to know before you…
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Mindful hospitality with a pet-centric pedigree
The Stanford Inn practices mindful, personal hospitality in an era of screens and contactless check-ins, putting people, pups, and the planet first. This family-run Mendocino resort has spent forty-five years curating genuine guest experiences rooted in warmth and environmental care.
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Happy New Year from DogTrekker!
DogTrekker kicks off 2026 with a look ahead at the coastal walks, mountain trails, and welcoming patios waiting for you and your dog across California. More hotels, trails, and restaurants are rolling out the red carpet for pups than ever…
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Explore the San Mateo coast like a pro
The San Mateo Coast packs 60 miles of rugged Pacific shoreline into one compact region, and much of it welcomes dogs. Expect off-leash beaches, tide pools, wild surf, and foggy coastal magic just an hour from San Francisco and Silicon…
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Dog-friendly Easter weekend getaways in California
Easter weekend is the perfect excuse to hit the road with your dog. California is packed with dog-friendly destinations where you and your pup can soak up spring, from the off-leash beaches of Carmel to the wine country patios of…
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What it’s all about, Ralphie?
Wild Blue funds canine cancer research and provides treatment grants to dog owners who can't afford care. Their week-long dog camps at Lake Tahoe raise money while giving you and your pup an unforgettable vacation for a meaningful cause.
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California’s best dog-friendly sports bars
Catch the big game with your dog at these 10 California sports bars, from Riddick's in Redding to spots in Big Bear, Fort Bragg and South Lake Tahoe. Few things are better than catching the big game with good friends…
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California’s top tail-wagging destinations: Adventure awaits
A south-to-north road trip through California's best dog-friendly destinations, from Ocean Beach in San Diego and Runyon Canyon in LA to Big Bear Lake, Carmel Beach and beyond. Each stop pairs off-leash fun with pet-welcoming hotels and cafes.
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Plumas County: Majestic peaks and pup-friendly trails
Plumas County stretches between Mount Lassen and Lake Tahoe, with national forest covering more than 75% of the landscape. Paddle Lake Almanor, hike the 11-mile recreation trail, camp at Rocky Point, and explore the charming town of Quincy with your…
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Dog-friendly road trip through Mono County on Highway 395
Highway 395 through Mono County opens a world of dog-friendly adventure in the Eastern Sierra. From Mono Lake's strange beauty to hiking at Devil's Postpile and exploring the ghost town of Bodie, every stop rewards curious pups and their people.
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Fifth stop: Mammoth Lakes back to Sac via Yosemite
The drive from Mammoth Lakes back to Sacramento crosses Tioga Pass through Yosemite National Park at nearly ten thousand feet. Pack a lunch for a stop at Tenaya Lake and soak in 59 miles of jaw-dropping Sierra scenery before descending…
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Cozy winter lodging in Yosemite
Tenaya at Yosemite offers a cozy winter retreat for families and their dogs, with spacious rooms, Sierra forest trails, satisfying dining, and spa treatments. Fireside evenings and crisp mountain mornings make this the kind of getaway that becomes a tradition.
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Four-day Yosemite Mariposa County dog-friendly itinerary
This four-day itinerary covers the best of dog-friendly Yosemite Mariposa County, from historic Mariposa town strolls and paved valley hikes to hidden gems like the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail and the dramatic granite-walled reservoir at Hetch Hetchy.
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Your dog’s California bucket list!
Five California towns every dog should visit at least once: Carmel-by-the-Sea for off-leash beach bliss, Mendocino for coastal trails, South Lake Tahoe for mountain adventures, Santa Barbara for elegant seaside strolls, and one more surprise.
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High Sierra escapes from Sacramento
From Sacramento, you can reach Lake Tahoe's alpine beaches and mountain parks in about two hours. Let pups splash at Kiva Beach, hike Van Sickle Bi-State Park, paddle Echo Lakes or grab a post-hike pint at FiftyFifty Brewing in Truckee.
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Top dog-friendly beaches in California
California's coastline is full of amazing dog-friendly beaches. Fort Funston and Baker Beach in San Francisco, Montara State Beach, Kiva Beach at Lake Tahoe, and Carmel Beach are favorites where pups can run and play.
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DogTrekker® 15th anniversary
DogTrekker.com celebrates 15 years of helping California dog lovers travel together, supporting animal welfare groups and inspiring millions of readers since launching in June 2011. DogTrekker.com launched 15 years ago, guided by a mission to leave no dog behind --…
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On the way to Yosemite: East entrance
The drive to Yosemite through the east entrance via Highway 120 and scenic Highway 395 is a destination in itself. Mono Lake, Lee Vining, and the off-leash trails around Saddlebag Lake offer stunning Sierra scenery your dog can actually enjoy.
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Close encounters in Nevada County
Nevada County is packed with dog-friendly fun, from cozy inns and patio dining in historic Nevada City to the unique wooden flumes of the Independence Trail, where a switchback ramp leads to a scenic swimming hole your dog will love.
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