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®!
Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego
Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego welcome dogs in campgrounds and along hundreds of miles of dirt roads, even though trails are off-limits. Dog-friendly lodging surrounds both parks, and winter through early spring brings ideal weather and spectacular desert wildflowers.
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East Bay getaways with your dog
The East Bay is rich with dog-friendly parks, from the volcanic trails at Sibley Reserve to off-leash romps at Point Isabel with Golden Gate views. Redwood Regional Park, Briones, and Shoreline Park round out the lineup.
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Dog-friendly wineries in Mendocino County
Mendocino County's wine country welcomes dogs at tasting rooms from Frey Vineyards, America's first organic winery, to Goldeneye in Anderson Valley and historic Parducci Wine Cellars, the county's oldest winery.
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El Dorado County’s adventure loop
The El Dorado County Adventure Loop packs 45 miles of Gold Country exploration into one weekend, with dog-friendly hiking at Cronan Ranch, wine tasting at Jose Wine Caves and Gold Rush history in Coloma.
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Kayla puttin’ on the Ritz
DogTrekker's Kayla put on the Ritz at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, where dogs get cozy beds, gourmet treats, and weekend Yappy Hours on the Backyard Terrace featuring canine cocktails and locally made dog bones. The pampering starts the moment you…
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Traveling the SLO lane with your dog
San Luis Obispo County's 70 miles of Highway 1 coastline offer dog-friendly beaches, off-leash coves, patio dining and charming inns from San Simeon to Pismo Beach. Your pup will love every sandy, sun-soaked mile of this Central Coast road trip.
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Discover the ‘Lost Sierra’
The Lost Sierra region in Plumas County, an hour north of Lake Tahoe, offers a refreshing alternative to crowded mountain resorts. Dog-friendly lodges like Chalet View and Gray Eagle pair with over a million acres of Plumas National Forest trails.
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Giacomo and Gelsomina’s mountain paradise
Jill M. and her dogs Giacomo and Gelsomina share their favorite hiking spot: the Mount Laguna Recreation Area inside Cleveland National Forest, where dogs are allowed off-leash on trails winding through pine forests and mountain meadows near San Diego.
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Mariposa County (west/Arch Rock) entrance
Mariposa County's Highway 140 corridor to Yosemite's west entrance offers dog-friendly wineries, charming cafes and a range of lodging from the rustic Yosemite Bug resort to riverside rooms at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal.
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Diesel & Oliver’s seaside adventure
DogCation winners Ashley and Chris took Diesel and Oliver to Nick's Cove on Tomales Bay, where their cabin overlooked the water and the staff treated their dogs like family. Day trips included Kehoe Beach and swimming at Millerton Point.
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Traveling with a dog in Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach lives up to its reputation as one of California's most dog-friendly cities. Let your pup run free on the 1.5-mile Dog Beach, explore fenced dog runs in Central Park, and dine at pet-welcoming patios.
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El Dorado County
El Dorado County is classic Gold Country, with the historic Cary House Hotel in Placerville, dog-friendly wineries along the Adventure Loop and living history events at Marshall Gold Discovery State Park where the Gold Rush began.
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Lake County dog-friendly campgrounds
Lake County has plenty of dog-friendly campgrounds for summer fun. Private resorts like The Narrows offer full hookups and waterfront access, while Clear Lake State Park has 149 drive-up sites with swimming and hiking nearby.
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Pumpkin patches and wine, oh my!
October is the perfect time to visit the Suisun Valley between Vacaville and Davis. Vineyards blaze with fall color, pumpkin patches are in full swing, and dog-friendly wineries welcome you and your pup for tastings and bocce.
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Can you Suisun? If you haven’t, go soon!
Solano County's Suisun Valley is a wine country hidden gem just off Interstate 80 near Vacaville. With vineyards dating to the 1880s and a growing roster of dog-friendly tasting rooms, it's well worth pulling off the highway to explore.
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Dog-friendly Tuolumne County (video)
Tuolumne County puts Yosemite, Gold Country, and High Sierra adventures within easy reach. Just two and a half hours from the Bay Area, this dog-friendly region offers year-round outdoor recreation, wine tasting, history, and camera-ready scenery around every bend.
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Greater Ontario, gateway to the SoCal experience
Greater Ontario is a pet-friendly gateway to Southern California adventure. With affordable hotels, free parking and easy access to lakes, deserts, vineyards and the Pacific Ocean, it's the perfect base for exploring SoCal with your dog in any direction.
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Start your day the local way
In Sacramento, mornings move at an easy pace. Greet the day on the American River Parkway, where dog walkers can wander for miles, or play fetch in a neighborhood park. From there, swing by one of the city’s many coffee…
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Best dog-friendly campgrounds in California for spring
Spring is the perfect time to camp with your dog in California. Mild temperatures, green hillsides, and wildflower blooms set the scene from March through May, and you will beat the summer crowds at campgrounds from the redwood coast to…
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Accessible dog trails in Yosemite and Eastern Sierra
The Yosemite region and Eastern Sierra offer some of California’s most stunning mountain scenery — and the good news is that several trails in the area are accessible for visitors with mobility challenges who want to bring their dogs along…
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Why spring is the best-kept secret in Gold Country
If you've been waiting for the right moment to load up the car and point it toward the Sierra foothills, this is it.
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California hotels that don’t just tolerate dogs—they adore them
From Cypress Inn's Yappy Hours in Carmel to canine massages at Nick's Cove in Marin, these California hotels genuinely love dogs. Expect welcome treats, dedicated pet menus, adventure packages and luxury bedding designed for four-legged guests.
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The best dog-friendly hotels in Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe's clear blue water, miles of shoreline, and endless trails make it a top destination for dog owners. From the modern Basecamp Hotel to the luxury Landing Resort and the quiet Cedar Glen Lodge, these are the best dog-friendly…
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The best ultra dog-friendly hotels in Southern California
Southern California's best dog-friendly hotels go far beyond a simple pets-allowed policy. From Loews Coronado Bay's bayside paths to La Quinta Resort's 45 acres of gardens, these properties treat dogs like honored guests with dedicated amenities and genuine hospitality.
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