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®!

The Gold Country’s golden chain highway

Highway 49 links 330 miles of Gold Rush history, dog-friendly trails, and small-town charm. Base yourself in Oakhurst or Sonora for steam-train rides, state park explorations, living-history weekends at Columbia, and scenic Sierra detours along the way.

Embassy Suites Sacramento riverfront patio

Paw-some road trips from Sacramento

Sacramento's big backyard delivers dog-friendly road trips to Placer County waterfalls, Gold Country mining trails, and small-batch wineries in the Sacramento River Delta. Two-room suites at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade make a comfortable home base.

Make Noyo Harbor Inn your ulti-mutt fall getaway

Noyo Harbor Inn in Fort Bragg pairs Mendocino Coast beauty with genuine dog-friendly hospitality. Leashed dogs join guests at HarborView Bistro, and the inn's grounds and nearby coastal trails make it easy to keep your pup happy all weekend.

Award-winning California hotels that welcome four-legged guests

From Palm Springs resorts to Bay Area landmarks, California's best dog-friendly hotels earned major accolades in 2024. Here are award-winning properties that treat your pup like a VIP guest. California is home to some of the finest dog-friendly hotels in…

Black Labrador Retriever dog wearing a life jacket in a boat — Adobe Images

Dog-friendly lakes not named “Tahoe”

Skip the Tahoe crowds and explore California's quieter dog-friendly lakes instead. From Clear Lake in Lake County to Big Bear, Shasta Lake and more, these alternatives offer great swimming, boating and shoreline fun with your pup.

Apple Hill is a short drive from downtown Sacramento.

Activities in Sacramento’s big backyard

Sacramento sits within easy reach of Folsom Lake, Apple Hill wineries, Gold Country, and the Sacramento River Delta. These day-trip destinations offer hiking, paddling, seasonal tastings, and plenty of dog-friendly stops along the way.

Best dog-friendly lakes in California

California is loaded with dog-friendly lakes for swimming, fetching, and cooling off. From Lake Tahoe's alpine beaches to the warm waters of San Luis Reservoir and Big Bear Lake, here are the best spots for a water day with your…

Wag again at Little River Inn

Little River Inn on the Mendocino coast has new doggie dining cabanas, updated rooms and pup-friendly adventure packages. Fifth-generation innkeeper Cally Dym invites guests to revisit this bluff-top gem near trails, beaches and ocean sunsets.

2024 DogTrekker Go California Photo Contest entry.

Attention all water dogs: It’s splash season

California's splash season means it's time to hit the water with your dog. From Russian River paddling trips to Mendocino coast kayaking, these DogTrekker-tested favorites offer seaside coves, freshwater lakes and rivers for every water-loving pup.

Plan your perfect Sacramento daycation

Sacramento is a dog-travel powerhouse with 32 miles of river parkway trails, farm-to-fork dining on spacious patios and craft breweries that welcome pups. These one-day itineraries pair top dog-friendly hotels with the best the capital city has to offer.

DogTrekker’s official spring/summer event guide is live!

DogTrekker's spring and summer 2025 event guide highlights pup-friendly fundraisers across California. From Pasadena Humane's Wiggle Waggle Walk to the Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash and Woofstock Chico, your participation supports rescue efforts that change animal lives.

Hit reset in the sunny Shasta Cascade region

The Shasta Cascade region spans eight Northern California counties filled with mountains, forests, rivers and high desert. For dog lovers, it means room to roam, small-town hospitality, swimming holes and long trails with dramatic volcanic scenery around every bend.

Middle McCloud Falls, Siskiyou County, Upstate California.

Plan a summer reset in the Shasta Cascade region

Northern California's Shasta Cascade region spans eight counties packed with national and state parks, trails, lakes and pet-friendly towns. From Mount Shasta's peaks to Burney Falls, spring brings wildflowers and ideal conditions for exploring with your dog.

Adorable dachshund in an orange sweater using a wheelchair outdoors. Showcasing resilience and pet care.

Best ADA and guide dog friendly trails in California

California is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the country, and everyone deserves to experience them — including hikers with guide dogs, service dogs, and mobility needs. These ADA-accessible trails offer breathtaking scenery without barriers.

Mendocino County wineries warmly welcome dogs

Mendocino County's Anderson Valley is one of the most dog-friendly wine regions in California. Nearly a dozen Highway 128 wineries welcome pups with treats, water bowls, fenced play areas and resident winery dogs.

Cute dog wearing sombrero — Adobe Images

Cinco de Mayo with your dog: California’s best patios

Cinco de Mayo is one of California’s great outdoor holidays. The first week of May delivers reliably warm weather from San Diego to Sacramento, patio season hits full stride, and the margaritas flow. And if you have a dog? You’re…

Things to do with your dog in Santa Cruz

Beyond the beaches, Santa Cruz County offers dog-friendly hiking at Byrne-Milliron Forest and Pogonip, steam train rides at Roaring Camp Railroads, and leashed strolls down boutique-lined Pacific Avenue. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park even allows dogs on select trails.

Dog-friendly day at Avila Beach on the Central Coast

A DogTrekker reader and her dog Penny share their perfect day at Avila Beach on the Central Coast. The itinerary includes romping at Dog Beach, walking Harford Pier, spotting sleepy seals and treating Penny to frozen yogurt with peanut butter.

Tenaya Lodge: the Yosemite home for you and Fido

Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite's south entrance rolls out the red carpet for dogs with pet-friendly rooms, new Explorer Cabins, dog massages, and gourmet treats. It's a Four-Diamond resort that makes your pup feel just as pampered as you.

Dogs love to play in the Eastern Sierra.

Big mountains, big fun at dog-friendly Mammoth

The drive to Mammoth Lakes on Highway 395 is half the adventure, with stops at Mono Lake and Convict Lake. Once there, your dog can join you for snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing in the Inyo National Forest.

Image from Fetch special rates for Fall Camp by Wild Blue Dogs! on DogTrekker

Fetch special rates for Wild Blue Dogs Fall Camp

Wild Blue Dogs, a nonprofit fighting canine cancer, hosts a week-long fall camp on the shores of South Lake Tahoe. The all-inclusive event features private beach access, hiking, education sessions, and plenty of fun for dogs and their people.

By land or by lake: Redding as a basecamp

Redding is the gateway to Upstate California, where rugged mountains, serene lakes, and stunning waterfalls await you and your dog. Hike the Sacramento River Trail, boat on Shasta Lake, or tackle the three McCloud River falls.

Image from Placer County promises dog-friendly trails, thrills and tasty surprises on DogTrekker

Treks, tours, and top spots in Placer County

From Hidden Falls Regional Park near Auburn to the Miners Ravine Trail in Roseville, Placer County is loaded with dog-friendly hikes and outdoor adventures. Explore 30-plus miles of trails, seasonal waterfalls, and scenic American River views with your pup.

Wild Blue Dogs summer camp early-bird ends March 15

Wild Blue Dogs Camp at Lake Tahoe runs weeklong sessions packed with dog training, agility, kayaking, and beach time. The nonprofit raises funds for canine cancer treatment, making every visit count for a good cause.

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Things to do Blog