Travel Blog
A dog’s spring bucket list for the SF Peninsula
Spring on the San Francisco Peninsula means Mori Point bluffs, Fitzgerald tide pools, Montara Mountain climbs, Half Moon Bay patios, Windy Hill wildflowers, and a Pescadero overnight at Costanoa. Six dog-friendly outings before the June fog rolls back in.
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Dog-friendly patios in California: Your spring outdoor dining guide
Spring in California means one thing for dog owners: patio season is officially open. California legalized dogs on restaurant patios in 2014, and since then the dining scene for pup parents has only grown. Our statewide guide to dog-friendly outdoor…
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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…
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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…
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Happy New Year from DogTrekker!
DogTrekker kicks off 2026 with a look ahead at the coastal walks, mountain trails, and welcoming patios waiting for you and your dog across California. More hotels, trails, and restaurants are rolling out the red carpet for pups than ever…
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Mindfully protecting the magic of Tahoe
North Lake Tahoe and DogTrekker share a commitment to responsible outdoor recreation. Take the Traveler Responsibility Pledge, hike the Tahoe Rim Trail, cool off at dog-welcoming beaches, and help keep Tahoe blue through mindful, sustainable travel with your dog.
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Lake Tahoe: Winter fun with your dog
Winter in North Lake Tahoe brings fewer crowds, deep snow, and a landscape made for long walks with your dog. From Truckee's gritty main street to Kings Beach's quiet shoreline and Tahoe City's groomed Nordic trails, each community offers its…
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California’s top tail-wagging destinations: Adventure awaits
A south-to-north road trip through California's best dog-friendly destinations, from Ocean Beach in San Diego and Runyon Canyon in LA to Big Bear Lake, Carmel Beach and beyond. Each stop pairs off-leash fun with pet-welcoming hotels and cafes.
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DogTrekker® 15th anniversary
DogTrekker.com celebrates 15 years of helping California dog lovers travel together, supporting animal welfare groups and inspiring millions of readers since launching in June 2011. DogTrekker.com launched 15 years ago, guided by a mission to leave no dog behind --…
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Pacified in Pacifica
Pacifica offers six miles of coastline just over the hills from San Francisco, with leash-free beach romps, a spectacular hike to Mori Point, and thousands of acres of public parkland.
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California’s new dog-friendly rules will blow your mind
California's dog-friendly travel scene expanded dramatically in 2025, with new CDC travel regulations, luxury hotel pet packages in Napa and San Diego, expanded airport relief areas, and tech tools that simplify planning trips with your pup. California's reputation as a…
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Secret mountain hikes with dogs in California
California's best dog-friendly mountain hikes hide in national forests and regional parks, far from the famous national parks that ban pets on trails. Dawn in the Sierra Nevada is a quiet, pink-tinted secret. My dog, Scout, knows it before I…
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Guide to dog-friendly dining in Greater Palm Springs
Greater Palm Springs has over 300 days of sunshine and plenty of dog-friendly restaurant patios to enjoy it. From upscale French terraces and comfort food spots to casual brewpubs, your pup is welcome at the table. Greater Palm Springs is…
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Marin County’s best-kept secret that locals will deny exists
There are no signs to Bolinas — the locals keep taking them down. But if you find the turnoff from Highway 1, you'll discover off-leash beaches, secret waterfall hikes, and one of Marin's most dog-friendly towns.
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Sacramento’s dog-friendly craft breweries
Sacramento leads the nation in craft breweries per capita, and most of them welcome dogs. From Track 7 Brewing Co. in Curtis Park to Oak Park Brewing and Bike Dog across the river, pups and pints pair well here.
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Vet Buzz: Car travel
A veterinarian shares practical tips for safe car travel with your dog, from using a restraint harness and taking test drives to managing motion sickness and making frequent stops. Proper prep makes road trips fun for everyone.
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Cool your jets (and your pets) in Sacramento
Sacramento's dining and brewery scene is booming, with dog-friendly patios everywhere you look. New spots like Mutts and Mugs dog park-pub, Two Rivers Cider Co. and Fountainhead Brewing give you and your pup plenty of reasons to visit.
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Put paws to GGNRA paths in San Mateo County
San Mateo County's GGNRA lands offer scenic coastal walks with your dog, from the dramatic headlands at Mori Point in Pacifica to the sweeping ridgeline views atop Sweeney Ridge. Both on-leash and off-leash areas remain open under current rules.
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The difference between emotional support animals and service animals
Emotional support animals and service animals have very different legal protections. California's AB 468 law cracks down on fraudulent ESA letters, and understanding the distinction matters for dog owners navigating housing, travel, and public access rights.
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Day 1: Woof this way
Your Yosemite Mariposa County road trip starts here. Check into a pet-friendly hotel, stroll charming main streets lined with water bowls, and grab craft brews at 1850 Restaurant. Then gaze up at the Sierra skies and dream about tomorrow's adventures.
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Pet-friendly accommodations
Greater Ontario, California has plenty of pet-friendly hotels for you and your dog. The Ontario Airport Hotel, Ayres Hotel Ontario Mills and Sheraton Ontario Airport Hotel all offer comfortable rooms and amenities that make traveling with your pup stress-free.
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Follow the sun to Greater Ontario
Greater Ontario, or GOCAL, is an under-the-radar Southern California gem for dog-friendly travel. Hike San Gabriel Mountain trails, shop at Victoria Gardens with your pup, treat them to a Doggie Delights cupcake, and settle into one of several pet-welcoming hotels.
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The most dog-friendly airports in California
Flying with your dog through California? LAX, SFO and SAN lead the pack with indoor and outdoor pet relief areas, therapy dog programs and clear guidance for travelers. Here's what to expect at the state's most accommodating airports.
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Capitol Corridor’s pet-friendly rail program marks successful first year
The Capitol Corridor's Pets Onboard program has carried over 1,000 pets between Sacramento, Oakland and San Jose in its first year. Small dogs and cats ride for $29 each way, giving pet owners a practical alternative to highway traffic.
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