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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Four-legged fun: A dog-friendly itinerary

A three-day dog-friendly Greater Palm Springs itinerary across the nine-city region. Trail mornings at Homestead and Whitewater, afternoons on El Paseo, breweries and patios, plus desert-travel tips for keeping your pup safe in the sun.

Hit the road for Sacramento, the ultimate dog-friendly basecamp

Sacramento's central location makes it a perfect launchpad for Northern California adventures with your dog. Riverfront strolls, dog-welcoming patios, plus easy day trips through Gold Country, Amador and El Dorado wineries, and the High Sierra from a single capital-city basecamp.

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GOCAL is your dog-friendly gateway to SoCal

Greater Ontario California — GOCAL — is an under-the-radar dog-friendly gateway to SoCal. About 45 minutes east of Los Angeles, the region pairs Inland Empire trails, outdoor shopping at Victoria Gardens, and year-round patio dining in Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga…

Dog-friendly campsites in northern California

A roundup of exceptional dog-friendly campgrounds across Northern California, from spacious Gerle Creek Reservoir sites to wildflower-rich Woods Lake near Carson Pass, secluded Kidd Lake, coastal MacKerricher State Park, and the redwood groves of Pfeiffer Big Sur.

Bark for some of our favorite dog-friendly campgrounds

From Mammoth Lakes to Lake Tahoe to the Highway 88 corridor, California offers incredible dog-friendly campgrounds in diverse settings. Here are some of our favorite spots to pitch a tent, park an RV, or rent a cabin with your pup.

Mendocino’s inland empire

Mendocino County's inland treasures include the Anderson Valley wine road with dog-friendly tasting rooms, the drive-through Chandelier Tree in Leggett and farm-to-table dining in Boonville. Wine, redwoods and warm welcomes abound.

Special adventures for furry friends in Mendocino

Mendocino County is packed with dog-friendly adventures, from the classic Skunk Train to kayaking sea caves with the Little River Inn's Water Dog package. Add uncrowded beaches, botanical gardens, and Glass Beach to fill out a memorable visit.

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Exploring dog-friendly Lake Tahoe: An adventurer’s guide

Lake Tahoe welcomes dogs at sandy beaches like Kiva and Lake Forest, on forested trails from easy loops to summit hikes, and at patio restaurants with treats at the ready. This guide covers everything you need for a Tahoe trip…

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Lake Tahoe summer fun

Summer at North Lake Tahoe means long days on dog-friendly beaches like Kiva and Kings Beach, cool dips in the Truckee River, and alpine hikes with sweeping views. Patio meals in walkable mountain towns round out the perfect warm-weather getaway…

Shell Beach coastal access trail

The Shell Beach Coastal Access Trail at Sea Ranch in Sonoma County offers a scenic walk through pine forests and meadows to a sandy beach with tide pools. Dogs are welcome on leash, and parking is free with trail access…

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Sample fresh flavors in Sacramento

Sacramento, America's Farm-to-Fork Capital, is a standout dog-friendly destination with miles of trails, dozens of parks, and patio restaurants serving field-fresh cuisine. Follow Highway 50 east to the Apple Hill wine trail, where many family wineries welcome pups on their…

Field & stream: Explore Bishop’s big backyard

Surrounded by 98 percent public land, Bishop serves up incredible outdoor adventures for dogs and their humans. Hike Bishop Creek Canyon past cascading waterfalls, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, or paddle the serene alpine waters of Lake Sabrina in the…

Pup Palooza: Cabanas and pup-friendly rooms, oh my!

Little River Inn on the Mendocino coast hosts its annual Pup Palooza celebration on April 25, 2026, with dog painting, wine tasting, and contests benefiting the Mendocino Coast Humane Society. Ocean-view rooms and doggie dining cabanas make it a full…

Gourmet chow-downs with your pup

Napa Valley's dog-friendly dining scene goes well beyond picnic tables. Michelin-starred Bouchon, farm-to-fork Farmstead, and acclaimed Morimoto all welcome diners with leashed companions on their outdoor patios, alongside local favorites like Gott's Roadside and Napa General Store.

Four-paw fun, from harvest into the holidays

Fall on California's North Coast shines at the Stanford Inn and throughout Mendocino County, with Harvest Mendocino events from late October through mid-November. Sample regional bounty, ride the Mushroom Train through redwoods, and stay for holiday sparkle into the new…

Family fun with a pup-friendly pedigree

The Stanford Inn is a family-friendly retreat with four state parks within two miles, a heated saltwater pool, scavenger hunts, and canine cruiser canoes on Big River. Dogs perch on a stable middle deck while families paddle miles of estuary…

Borrow a buddy at the Beachcomber Properties, Fort Bragg

The Borrow a Buddy program at Fort Bragg's Beachcomber Hotel Group lets guests without dogs spend time with adoptable pups from the Mendocino Coast Humane Society. Take a deserving shelter dog to a local beach, winery, or state park for…

Maya at the Paw-séa private dog park for guests of Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach.

Huntington Beach: Surf City, sunsets and sandy paws

Huntington Beach is pure coastal joy for dogs, with the legendary off-leash Dog Beach, ocean-view patios, and a laid-back surf town vibe that welcomes four-legged visitors. Start early for calm waters and cooler sand, then reward your pup with a…

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A dreamy setting for romantic retreats

Couples choose the Stanford Inn by the Sea for weddings, anniversaries, and romantic reconnections, drawn by its coastal beauty, garden setting, and dog-friendly hospitality in Mendocino. Wake to ocean views, unwind with spa treatments, and stroll the bluffs with your…

Bark and Meow Around the Block

Berkeley Humane's Bark and Meow Around the Block street fair returns August 23 at 2700 Ninth Street in Berkeley. Hundreds of adoptable dogs from more than two dozen Bay Area shelters will be on hand, alongside live music, food trucks…

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Mindful hospitality with a pet-centric pedigree

The Stanford Inn practices mindful, personal hospitality in an era of screens and contactless check-ins, putting people, pups, and the planet first. This family-run Mendocino resort has spent forty-five years curating genuine guest experiences rooted in warmth and environmental care.

Splashy pet packages and plenty to explore

Little River Inn's Water Dog Package bundles a two-night coastal stay with a dog-friendly canoe or kayak outing, a generous dinner voucher, and a pet welcome bag. Explore Big River by outrigger or paddle through sea caves off Van Damme…

Sit, stay and splash in Siskiyou County

Siskiyou County raises the bar for dog-friendly travel with swimming holes, brewery patios, waterfall hikes, and cozy lodging near Mount Shasta. Follow the McCloud River past three waterfalls, explore old-growth forests, and unwind with a pint at a dog-welcoming alehouse.

Dog on outside chair at Overtime Brewing. Photo by Overtime Brewing.

Local pints, with your pup by your side

Mendocino County's beer trail winds from coastal Fort Bragg taprooms to inland gems like Anderson Valley Brewing Company's 30-acre beer park. Pet-friendly patios, fresh pub fare, and creative craft beers make this a tail-wagging tasting tour for dogs and their…

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Things to do Blog