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®!
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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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.
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Spring in Sacramento with your dog: why April works
Sacramento doesn't always get the credit it deserves as a dog-friendly destination.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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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Lake Del Valle: Paradise for water dogs
Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore offers 5,000 acres, a five-mile lake, off-leash trails, and one of the few places where your dog can join you on a rental boat. Pack a picnic, bring a fishing rod, and plan to…
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Pie am I in Gold Country
Apple Hill in El Dorado County features 56 family ranches offering fresh produce, baked goods, and fall fun from Labor Day through November. Many welcome leashed dogs, including El Dorado Orchards and Pine O Mine.
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Kayla takes on Blithedale Summit
Blithedale Summit in Marin County Open Space offers a 6.6-mile loop where dogs can run off-leash on fire roads with sweeping views of Mount Tam, the Bay bridges, San Francisco, and the Pacific.
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Toolin’ around Tuolumne
Tuolumne County's Gold Rush towns come alive with dog-friendly history. Ride vintage trains at Railtown 1897, tour Columbia State Historic Park by stagecoach, and stay at the Groveland Hotel with its award-winning wine list.
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Say hello to Folsom
Folsom offers dog-friendly fun year-round, from hiking and water sports at Folsom Lake to strolling the revitalized Sutter Street historic district. Let your pup run free at Fido Field, then grab lunch at a sidewalk cafe.
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