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®!
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.
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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-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.
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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…
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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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Spring in Yosemite: Spectacular waterfalls!
Spring brings spectacular waterfalls to Yosemite, and several of the best are accessible to leashed dogs. Bridalveil Fall and Lower Yosemite Falls offer easy paved paths with stunning views, while nearby Mariposa County has plenty of dog-friendly places to stay.
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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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Bone appétit: Dog-friendly dining in Yosemite Mariposa County
After a day exploring Yosemite Mariposa County, you and your dog will have earned a good meal. Pup-friendly restaurants along the way serve everything from craft beer and burgers to farm-to-table plates and steaming bowls of ramen.
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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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