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Things to do

Things to do

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®!

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A-glamping we will go

Glamping with your dog in California ranges from Airstream villages near Joshua Tree to yurts at Mount Madonna County Park. Whether you prefer platform tents or retro trailers, camping has never been more comfortable for pups and people.

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Photo by Greater Palm Springs.

The ultimate dog-friendly itinerary in Greater Palm Springs

Greater Palm Springs is a sun-soaked playground for dogs and their people. This itinerary covers dog-friendly dining at spots like Boozehounds and Wilma and Frieda's, desert trail hikes and craft breweries where wagging tails are always welcome. Planning the ultimate…

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Dog-friendly California destination, photo courtesy of Greater Palm Springs

Unique outdoor adventures

Greater Palm Springs offers dog-friendly adventures well beyond hiking trails. Watch championship polo in Indio, tour vintage warbirds at the Palm Springs Air Museum, camp at Lake Cahuilla, or stroll through Moorten Botanical Garden with your leashed pup.

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Maya at the Sheraton Redding after a day of hiking.

Redding: So many places to roam and stay

Redding's dog-friendly hotels put you within minutes of 225 miles of trails. The Sheraton at the Sundial Bridge serves dog dishes at its restaurant, and nearby routes offer year-round hiking for pups. Redding's dog-friendly accommodations offer easy access to one…

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Dog-friendly base camps in and around Redding

Redding is an easy drive from Sacramento with gorgeous spring scenery along the way. The Sheraton at the Sundial Bridge and the eco-friendly Gaia Hotel offer dog-friendly lodging with riverside trails and patio dining right outside your door.

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Hit the trail in Greater Palm Springs

Greater Palm Springs offers dog-friendly hiking trails for every fitness level, from the slot canyons of East Indio Hills Badlands to the sunrise views on Chuckwalla Trail Loop and a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail at Whitewater Preserve.

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Pet-friendly accommodations in the California deserts

The California deserts offer pet-friendly lodging from Death Valley to Greater Palm Springs. Stay at rustic motels near Joshua Tree, luxury resorts in Anza-Borrego, or the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs with your dog by your side. Find pet-friendly accommodations…

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Maggie in the California desert.

Traveling with your dog in the California deserts

California's desert landscapes offer a unique adventure for dogs and their people. From Death Valley's sweeping vistas to Joshua Tree's scenic drives and Anza-Borrego's rugged trails, careful planning and plenty of water will keep your pup safe and happy.

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Dog-friendly hikes

Greater Palm Springs has scenic trails perfect for dogs. The Homme/Adams Park Loop features an off-leash area at the base of the mountains, the Homestead Trail delivers panoramic views and Mission Creek Preserve offers over 17 miles of desert hiking.

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Sundial Bridge.

Shasta County: Northern California’s hub for adventure

Shasta County puts 225 miles of trails, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and massive Shasta Lake within easy reach of Redding. Hike to waterfalls, kayak alpine lakes, cross the Sundial Bridge and treat your pup to yappy hour at the Sheraton.

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Image from Escape your ordinary in Greater Palm Springs on DogTrekker

Escape your ordinary in Greater Palm Springs

In Greater Palm Springs, every day is an invitation to adventure for you and your dog, with scenic hiking trails, sun-drenched patios, and a variety of pet-friendly hotels and vacation rentals. In Greater Palm Springs, every day is an invitation…

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A dog day in Vacaville

Plan a full day out with your dog in Vacaville, from morning coffee and the Centennial Dog Park to wine tasting in Suisun Valley, craft beer at The Brass Tap, and hiking at Lagoon Valley Park.

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Three amazing dog-friendly road trips in California

Three dog-friendly California road trips worth taking: Yosemite to Mammoth Lakes through the Eastern Sierra, Jenner to Leggett along the coast, and Redding to Mount Shasta through volcanic country. Each route features pet-friendly stops and stunning scenery.

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Best dog-friendly dive bars on the San Francisco Peninsula

Skip the polished cocktail lounges and head to the San Francisco Peninsula's scruffiest, most dog-friendly bars instead. These beach pubs, harbor dives and neighborhood patios welcome muddy paws, cold drinks and a good time after a long coastal walk.

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Pulgas

Best-kept dog secrets on the San Francisco Peninsula

Beyond the tech campuses and tidy downtowns, the San Francisco Peninsula hides off-leash meadows, quiet bluffs and redwood trails that most visitors never find. These are the secret dog-friendly spots in San Mateo County that locals love.

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Bolinas Beach on the Marin County coast, California

Marin County’s best-kept secret that locals will deny exists

There are no signs to Bolinas — the locals keep taking them down. But if you find the turnoff from Highway 1, you'll discover off-leash beaches, secret waterfall hikes, and one of Marin's most dog-friendly towns.

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Explorer Cabins, a dog-friendly lodging in Fish Camp, California

Unrivaled Yosemite hotel is barking for you to visit

Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp offers dog-friendly rooms and 50 Explorer Cabins surrounded by Sierra spaces. The Fido Friendly Package includes a bed, bowl, and treats for your pup, with hiking just steps from your door.

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Yo! Yosemite calls you and your dog

Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite offers dog-friendly rooms and Explorer Cabins on 27 forested acres. Their Fido Friendly Package comes with pet beds, bowls, and treats, plus kennel services for when you visit the park or spa.

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Maya enjoying the Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge.

Treat your pup to a Yosemite vacation

The Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite were built for pet lovers. Set on 27 wooded acres with fire pits and a creek, the Fido-Friendly Package includes pet fees, a plush dog bed, and treats.

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Nature rules in Yosemite Mariposa County

Yosemite Mariposa County's Nature Rules program helps visitors protect this extraordinary landscape. Travel responsibly by sticking to pet-friendly trails, arriving early, packing out all waste and using eco-friendly sunblock to safeguard the park's wildlife and waterways.

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Kessler at Yosemite.

Exceptional experiences in Yosemite

Yosemite's gateway towns are welcoming a wave of new glamping and adventure hotels. From canvas tents in Mariposa to safari-style camps in Groveland, these fresh lodging options put you close to the park with dog-friendly rooms and outdoor experiences.

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Big Bear Lake, the ultimate dog-friendly destination year-round

Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains is a year-round playground for dogs. Swim and kayak in summer, hike through fall colors, romp in winter snow, and enjoy spring wildflowers, all with pet-friendly lodging and dining nearby.

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Mammoth Lakes is the ultimate pup-cation

Mammoth Lakes is a year-round paradise for dogs, with countless hiking trails, crystal-clear mountain lakes for swimming, and a town full of dog-loving people and pet-friendly hotels. Summer or winter, your pup will have the adventure of a lifetime here.

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Best city for dog-friendly restaurants in California

San Diego tops California for dog-friendly dining, thanks to year-round mild weather and hundreds of patio restaurants that welcome pups. From dedicated dog menus at The Patio on Lamont to spacious gardens at Stone Brewing, options abound.

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