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®!

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…

Cartoon map of california humor. points of doggie

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.

Golden at Midtown Der Biergarten Sacramento.

48 hours of tail-wagging fun in Sacramento

A weekend itinerary for Sacramento with your dog, from Saturday morning walks in Capitol Park and mural hopping in Midtown to Sunday brunch at dog-friendly patios, off-leash parks, and a River Fox Train ride that welcomes pups.

Last call for Tahoe snowshoeing

Late March and early April bring ideal conditions for snowshoeing with your dog around Lake Tahoe. The Echo Lakes Sno-Park at 7,500 feet is a favorite starting point, with trails winding through pine forest and along frozen lakeshores toward the…

Wild Blue canine camp is calling!

Wild Blue Dogs hosts weeklong sleepaway camps on the shores of Lake Tahoe for you and your pup. The all-inclusive experience features hikes, swims, campfires and training, and every dollar raised goes toward canine cancer treatment and research.

Cappuccino the Dog is a beloved statue located at the intersection of Alcatraz Avenue and Racine Street in North Oakland. The statue was created by artist Devyon Harrison and represents Cappuccino, a terrier-lab mix.

Discover dog-friendly Oakland: A canine paradise

Oakland is one of the Bay Area's most dog-welcoming cities, with 73 regional parks, off-leash trails in the hills, sunny weather when San Francisco is socked in with fog, and walkable neighborhoods like Rockridge and Temescal lined with dog-friendly patios…

Dogs, costumes, kids and fun at DogFest Northwest, Jack London Square, Oakland.

You’ll fall for this season’s dog-friendly events

Fall in California brings a wave of dog-friendly events, from the Pismo Beach Corgi Getaway and Berkeley Humane's adopt-a-thon to DogFest Northwest in Oakland, Bark in the Park in San Jose, and Halloween costume contests in Big Bear Village.

Image from Tahoe under paws: Lake Tahoe dog beaches on DogTrekker

Paws to the path around Lake Tahoe

Hundreds of hiking trails ring Lake Tahoe, and most welcome dogs. Easy favorites include the stroll to Fallen Leaf Lake, the mile-long Cascade Falls trail near Emerald Bay, and the scenic Spooner Summit section of the Tahoe Rim Trail with…

Big dogs love the Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash.

Welcome to spring – and the 2024 event season!

Spring kicks off a packed calendar of dog-friendly events across California, from the Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash and SF Giants Dog Days at Oracle Park to adoption fundraisers, costume contests, and brewery tasting tours. Here are our top picks through…

Lake Tahoe’s best-in-show dog camp

Wild Blue Dogs hosts an all-inclusive dog camp on Lake Tahoe's Nevada shore, featuring agility classes, nose work, kayaking, and more led by certified trainers. Proceeds support canine cancer research, making this a vacation with real purpose.

Cabins in the woods: Tahoma Meadows and Desolation Hotel

Tahoma Meadows B&B Cottages on Lake Tahoe's West Shore and Desolation Hotel in Hope Valley both welcome dogs warmly and serve as great base camps for winter adventures. Cross-country ski or snowshoe nearby at Meeks Bay, Blackwood Canyon, or the…

Go big at Big Bear

Big Bear Lake sits at 6,743 feet in the San Bernardino mountains and welcomes dogs year-round. Snowshoe forest roads, walk lakeside trails, then warm up in a pet-friendly cabin before hitting one of the many restaurants with dog-friendly patio seating.

hiking at Mammoth California in the fall

10 dog-friendly hiking trails in California

California's varied terrain offers incredible hiking for dogs and their people. This roundup covers 10 standout trails, from the rugged Black Butte summit in Shasta-Trinity to the wildflower-lined Mount Judah Loop near Truckee and waterfall hikes along the McCloud River.

Majestic, dog-friendly California mountain towns

California's mountain towns offer breathtaking trails, crystal-clear lakes, and welcoming communities for dogs and their people. From Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes and Big Bear, these high-altitude getaways promise year-round adventure.

Tahoe splash: Dog-friendly things to do in Tahoe

Summer at Lake Tahoe means beach romps, mountain hikes, and tram rides with your dog. Splash at dog-friendly beaches, hike Shirley Canyon Trail to High Camp at Palisades Tahoe, or join Wild Blue Dogs camp.

Settle into South Shore

South Lake Tahoe has dog-friendly lodging for every budget, from cozy Spruce Grove Cabins to fenced Holly's Place and lakefront Zephyr Cove Resort on the Nevada side. Tahoe Keys Resort offers a great base for summer adventures.

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…

Be tempted by Tenaya

Tenaya Lodge sits just outside Yosemite's south entrance and rolls out the red carpet for dogs and families alike. On-site activities range from climbing walls to horseback riding, and the pet package includes a Fido-friendly room with treats and toys.

Explorer cabins at Yosemite’s Tenaya Lodge

The Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite are dog-friendly two-bedroom retreats in a mountain forest setting. Guests enjoy a communal clubhouse with daily breakfast and evening wine receptions, plus a dedicated Camp Host ready with adventure tips.

The Fido friendly Yosemite vacation

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite welcomes dogs with pet-friendly rooms, standalone Explorer Cabins with bunk beds for families, house-made doggie treats, a pampered pet package, and even dog massages at their Ascent Spa. It is the ultimate four-legged retreat.

Luxurious hoel room with fireplace and dog while i

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.

Four-paw winter accommodations

Tenaya at Yosemite rolls out the red carpet for dogs with Fido Friendly Rooms, snowshoeing in the Sierra National Forest, and pampered pet packages. It is a true four-season resort where two-legged and four-legged guests feel equally at home.

Ruffing it in Yosemite

Winter in Yosemite means quiet trails, frosty landscapes, and pup-friendly fun around every bend. Leashed dogs are welcome on paved roads and paths throughout the valley, and nearby lodges offer dog-friendly rooms perfect for warming up after a day of…

What to do near Wawona and The Redwoods

Wawona is a quieter side of Yosemite with dog-friendly trails, giant sequoias, and the historic Yosemite History Center. The Redwoods In Yosemite offers pet-friendly vacation rentals just five miles from the south gate, surrounded by towering trees.

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Things to do Blog