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®!

Big Bear Polar Plunge. Photo by Visit Big Bear.

Big Bear Lake warms up: events for 2026

Big Bear Lake kicks off 2026 with the Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics on April 18, followed by the third annual Puptopia Festival on July 25. Expect agility courses, costume contests, and a full day of tail-wagging fun at…

Image from Spring forward at Lake Tahoe on DogTrekker

Dog-friendly Lake Tahoe in spring: hike, eat, and stay

Spring has arrived in the Sierra and Lake Tahoe is shaking off winter. Snow melts, trails open at lower elevations, and mountain air hits different with your dog trotting beside you. Our guide to dog-friendly Tahoe hikes, restaurants, and lodging…

ADA accessible dog-friendly trails in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra offer some of the most breathtaking scenery in California, and the good news is that much of it is accessible to visitors of all mobility levels — along with their dogs. We’ve compiled a…

A child's hand points to a map that a ranger is holding

Dog-friendly Sacramento River Delta: where to take your pup

If you're scouting a spring getaway that doesn't require a four-hour drive or a June reservation made in February, point the car east from the Bay Area toward the Sacramento River Delta.

Image from Unsure about your dog on a train? Try a small-scale starter train on DogTrekker

Nervous about your dog on a train? Start small

Not sure how your dog will handle a train ride? The miniature steam train at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley makes a great test run. The park itself offers swimming, hiking, and a botanical garden across more than 2,000 acres.

Favorite San Diego beaches: Del Mar and La Jolla

Del Mar Beach and La Jolla Cove near San Diego are two stunning coastal spots to visit with your dog. Enjoy scenic bluffs, ocean walks, and dog-friendly parks like Ellen Browning Scripps Park.

Temecula with your dog: a guide to wine country

Temecula wine country is a playground for dogs and their people, with pup-friendly wineries, scenic hiking trails at the Santa Rosa Plateau, a walkable Old Town and plenty of outdoor dining options. Traveling with your dog can transform an ordinary…

Three real dogs strapped into three airplace seats

Hop on, paws up: JSX makes dog travel easy

JSX lets dogs fly in the cabin on 30-seat jets with no security lines and no cargo holds. Pups up to 79 pounds ride beside you on routes connecting Burbank, Oakland, Napa and other California cities, making weekend getaways stress-free.

Golden retriever walking on a scenic autumn trail among colorful fall foliage and trees, capturing the beautiful outdoor adventure with your dog.

Dog’s guide to autumn: 5 Northern California day trips

Autumn in Northern California means cooler trails, colorful foliage and fewer crowds. These five dog-friendly day trips cover Apple Hill orchards, Gold Rush towns, ocean bluffs and redwood groves, each one perfect for a fall road trip with your pup.

Carter Estate Winery and, a dog-friendly restaurant in Temecula, California

Temecula wine country: wineries that actually welcome dogs

Temecula’s wine country has over 40 wineries, but “dog-friendly” can mean anything from “we’ll tolerate it” to “we have a water bowl with your dog’s name on it.” The wineries below actually welcome dogs — not as an afterthought, but…

Kayla cleaning up the beach in Carmel. Dave Kendrick photo.

Dog-friendly Monterey and Carmel: why April is ideal

April on the Monterey Peninsula is one of those rare windows when everything aligns for a dog-friendly getaway. The summer crowds haven’t arrived, the coastal wildflowers are putting on a show, and the fog that blankets the coast later in…

Its Beach, a dog-friendly beach in Santa Cruz, California

Dog-friendly Santa Cruz: spring guide to beaches, trails, patios

Santa Cruz in April delivers off-leash beaches like Its Beach, greenbelt trails through Pogonip, walkable coastal paths, and dozens of dog-friendly patios and hotels. It is an easy weekend from the Bay Area before the summer crowds arrive.

Spring Flowers at the California State Capitol — Adobe Images

Spring in Sacramento with your dog: why April works

Sacramento doesn't always get the credit it deserves as a dog-friendly destination.

Best dog-friendly hiking trails near Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest has trails for every skill level. Hike Pine Knot Trail to a 7,784-foot viewpoint, tackle Castle Rock Peak, or take the family-friendly Woodland Trail loop.

Fall fun with your dog at South Lake Tahoe

Wild Blue Dogs hosts fall camp on 33 fenced acres near South Lake Tahoe, with training in agility, nose work, lure-coursing and more. This nonprofit camp also funds canine cancer research and treatment grants for dogs in need.

Winter and spring pet activities in Yosemite Mariposa County

Yosemite welcomes leashed dogs on paved roads and paths near iconic landmarks like Bridalveil Fall and Glacier Point. Beyond the park, the towns and trails of Mariposa County offer even more pet-friendly hikes, lodging, and dining worth discovering.

San Diego’s dog beaches, ranked

San Diego has more dedicated dog beach than any city in California, and most of the state doesn’t even come close. Four beaches allow dogs, each with a different personality. Here’s what actually matters at each one. Dog Beach, Ocean…

Boney Mountain at sunset with rock and cactus in foreground.

Best dog-friendly hikes in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has more dog-friendly hiking trails than any city in California, and most of them are good. Looking beyond LA? See the best dog-friendly trails in California. The problem isn’t finding a trail — it’s finding one that matches…

Ocean Beach Dog Beach, a dog-friendly beach in San Diego, California

Dog-friendly San Diego: the complete guide

San Diego offers one of California's deepest dog-friendly lineups: off-leash beaches at Ocean Beach and Fiesta Island, 60-plus pet-welcoming hotels, dozens of patio restaurants, and easy day trips to Coronado, Del Mar, and Temecula wine country.

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Dog-friendly spring getaway in coastal Mendocino

The Mendocino coast is a paradise for dogs and their people. Pedal railbikes through redwood groves, kayak Big River with your pup aboard, stroll the fragrant botanical gardens, and explore pristine beaches along one of California's most scenic and welcoming…

Five things to know before a California dog trip

Planning a California trip with your dog involves more than finding pet-friendly hotels. Beach rules, dramatic climate swings, wildlife hazards, transit policies, and accommodation fees all vary by region and require advance research to keep your trip smooth and your…

Dog in a lake at a california state park --ar 169

Dog lover’s guide to California’s state parks and lakes

California's state parks offer lakeside romps and woodland strolls for leashed dogs. From splashing at Lake Tahoe and Folsom Lake to camping at Lake Oroville, here's your guide to trail etiquette, rules and the best pup-approved park adventures.

San Francisco haunts

San Francisco's spookier side is surprisingly dog-friendly. Visit the Presidio Pet Cemetery with its 400-plus headstones, explore the crumbling ruins of Sutro Baths, paddle Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, or join a Haunted Haight walking tour with your pup.

South Yuba River Independence Trail: A dog-friendly adventure

The South Yuba River Independence Trail in Nevada County features reconstructed wooden flumes, scenic river views, and a swimming hole perfect for dogs. This historic canal path, now the nation's first wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail, welcomes leashed dogs year-round.

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