Things to do Blog
Over the past 10 years, DogTrekker’s team of veteran writers and editors have crafted more than 2,500 stories about all of the things you can do with your dog in California. Happy DogTrekking! Remember to travel lightly and always Leave Only Paw Prints®!
Your guide to Puptopia Big Bear 2026
Clear the calendar and get the car road trip ready—the mountains are howling! Big Bear Puptopia Festival is coming up on Saturday, July 25. The charming dog-centric celebration makes the perfect anchor to a fun-filled weekend along the shores of…
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Splash, stay and play in Big Bear
There’s so much to enjoy in Big Bear before and after the festival. Pair your Puptopia weekend with a property that’s got its own pool, then take the party to the lake—paddling, swimming and dockside naps included. Here’s how to…
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Plan your pup’s Puptopia festival ‘fit
Puptopia is a day of sheer canine cuteness in waterside Veterans Park. It’s all about fun, games and pampering, with a giant ball pit, agility tunnels, spa treatments, vendor shopping and live stage shows. Whether your pup is a social…
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Choose your Big Bear basecamp
Veterans Park is an easy stroll from Big Bear Lake’s Village, so you can bed down anywhere from a lakefront boutique hotel to cozy, fireplace-warmed cabins. Book ASAP; festival weekend fills fast. Here are a few dog-friendly favorites within reach…
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Last chance to join Wild Blue Dogs’ paw-some fall camp
Wild Blue Dogs Fall Camp is a six-night, all-inclusive retreat on 33 acres at Lake Tahoe. Professional trainers lead agility, nose work, paddleboarding, and 100-plus activities, while registration fees support canine cancer research. Early bird pricing ends April 30.
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The accessible dog lover’s guide to California: travel for every body and every dog
“Accessible” is one of those words that means something different to everybody. For one reader it means a beach you can actually roll a wheelchair onto. For another it means a flat, shady half-mile instead of a 6-mile grind. For…
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Top 10 dog-friendly activities in and around Fort Bragg
The city of Fort Bragg released its top 10 dog-friendly activities list, and it's a great starting point for planning a coastal trip with your dog. Ten picks from Glass Beach and MacKerricher State Park to Pomo Bluffs, the Skunk…
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Splash hits: Summer delights for water-loving dogs
The dog days of summer are here! Got a pup who loves the water? California's rivers, lakes and coastal landscapes welcome four-legged family members with paw-some adventures.
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Little jo’s Yosemite adventure
It was one of those "Yahoo" moments that I found out the way to bring my little Jo to Yosemite. It was rewarding being in Yosemite with my fur baby overlooking Half Dome.
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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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Tenaya Lodge with the kids
Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area is set to open this weekend, and you’ll find plenty of outdoor and indoor activities for children of all ages. Embark on downhill skiing and snowboarding adventures (or set beginners up with some lessons!), slide down the…
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Summer soars in Yosemite at Tenaya Lodge
Located just two miles from Yosemite National Park, dog-friendly Tenaya Lodge specializes in memorable summer moments for the entire family.
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Your pup-friendly guide to California snow season
Here in California, 2023 kicked off with a flurry of snowfall and storms. That means packed ski resorts and endless winter activities for families and their four-legged friends.
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Widescreen Yosemite adventure
Home to towering waterfalls and 200-foot-tall giant sequoias, there’s no place like Yosemite. And Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite puts you just two miles from Yosemite National Park.
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Tenaya Lodge with the kids
Not surprisingly, a place as big as Yosemite is home to plenty of outdoor and indoor activities for children of all ages. Of course, there’s the seemingly endless natural beauty
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Begin your DogCation® with river views at Yosemite View Lodge
Yosemite View Lodge has welcomed humans and their four-legged companions for nearly five decades. It offers abundant amenities with 335 rooms and suites, making it the perfect year-round choice. View Lodge has welcomed humans and their four-legged companions for nearly…
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Fall in Yosemite: Captivating color and wagging tails welcome
Few places are prettier than Yosemite in fall. Blue skies and mild temperatures make for pleasant outdoor activities, while vast stands of maples and dogwoods put on a colorful show. Traffic is lighter during the fall season, and hotels…
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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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Top five dog-friendly activities in Sacramento
With history and fun in Old Sacramento to o expansive parks and delicious restaurants with patios, Sacramento has great options for you and your pup year-round.
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The ultimate doggie treat: A Mammoth Lakes adventure
Mammoth Lakes is pure dog paradise, from the sandy shores of Horseshoe Lake to scenic trails through lodgepole pine forests. Pack up the dog bowl and treat your pup to the ultimate Eastern Sierra adventure.
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Arch in from the west (Mariposa County, west entrance)
Highway 140 through Mariposa County leads to Yosemite's west entrance with plenty of dog-friendly fun along the way. Wineries, bakeries, riverside trails and lodging from rustic Yosemite Bug to the riverside View Lodge make this route worth savoring.
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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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