Sacramento and Beyond

The words “wine” and “Sacramento” may not seem to go together—until you realize more than 200 wineries and tasting rooms are situated within 75 miles of the state capital. Many welcome tail-waggers as warmly as the uprights on the other end of the leash. Once you and Sparky have experienced the friendly atmosphere in the Sierra Nevada foothills, along the Sacramento   Read more.

The Trail Capital of California

With hundreds of miles of trails within an hour’s drive of Redding, it’s easy to understand why it is called the Trail Capital of California. These trails of varying degrees of difficulty, from easy – to rolling hills – to moderate climbs, have one thing in common – both you and your pups are welcome. As you walk along these trails, you’ll see wildlife, wil  Read more.

Highway To Heaven

Watching the sun set on Mount Shasta.

Mount Shasta, an hour north of Redding, is considered by many to be one of the world’s most spiritual “power spots.” Even if you’re not into New Age thinking, you and your furry friend will find higher purpose with a trip up the Everitt Memorial Highway, a two-lane strip of asphalt winding 14 miles up the flanks of the 14,179-foot-high volcanic cone for unforgettable   Read more.

Ruffing it in Redding

Sundial Bridge. Photo by Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Kayla on Sundial Bridge Hang onto your leash: You'll need it to steady yourself when you get your first close-up look at Redding’s iconic Sundial Bridge. The stunning pedestrian structure designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava links dog-friendly trails on both sides of the Sacramento River and is a major visitor attraction in this part of the state. Start off with a stroll   Read more.

Stand Up For Your Pup

Photo: Joyce Cory Stand up paddleboarding, or SUP as it is known for short, is an emerging sport that’s catching on with canine passengers as well as the people who do the stand-up paddling. Whether you own your own board or are a first-timer, you’ll find instant community at Stephen Pugh’s Bluerush Boardsports in Sausalito, which twice a month—every other Thursday fr  Read more.

Run The River With Your Dog

Dog and his people on the Russian River Do you have a dog that loves the water? Why not let your pooch splash and swim as the first mate in your dog-friendly canoe? Russian River Adventures is Sonoma County’s best dog–passionate eco-adventure offering SOAR Inflatable canoes for a day on the river. Since 2003 thousands of four-legged canoe enthusiasts, and their owners, have enjoyed  Read more.

Tips for Paddling With Your Pup

If it's summer, it's time to get out on the water with your pup. But if it's Fido's first time to kayak or ride in a raft, you'll want to take it slow. Cate Hawthorne of Liquid Fusion Kayaking in Fort Bragg offers these tips for paddling with your pup.  Read more.

Provisioning Your Pup

Provisioning your pup on a camping trip isn’t so different from provisioning for any other kind of road trip (see our road-trip tips on DogTrekker.com). Protection against ticks, fleas, heartworms and parasites is a must, as is a dog first-aid kit for away-from-home emergencies. Don’t forget pickup bags and/or a lightweight trowel to bury waste (check rules at your campground).  Read more.

About Those Bears . . .

An estimated 30,000 bears roam the Sierra Nevada, and their presence should be a top-of-mind concern for campers. Keeping a clean camp is the most important element of being bear aware. Remember, secure food storage isn’t just for people food; it’s for dog food, too. A few crumbs of kibble left out in a bowl is enough to attract raccoons, squirrels, skunks, dive-bombing Steller’  Read more.

Ins and Outs of Reserving a Spot for Spot

So, a friend told you about a great place to camp with your dog. But how do you make reservations? Here are three places to start . . .  Read more.

A Checklist for Taking Your Dog To Work

If you work at home, you know what a treat it is to have Snoopy curled up at your feet, or maybe in your lap, while you do whatever it is you do. At work, the formula gets more complex. Here are tips for ensuring you have success with your pup in the workplace.  Read more.

Voice of Experience

Dozens of Northern California companies will go to the dogs on TYDTWD. None, perhaps, has more experience in the dog-friendly workplace department than Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory in Petaluma, where dogs have been reporting to work with their people since 1980. That’s when company founder Andrea Grossman started bringing her Irish wolfhound to work and, in fairness to her  Read more.

Making the World a Doggier Place

Dog culture is entrenched in some Northern California companies. Most famously, Zynga, the San Francisco-based social network game-development company named for founder Mark Pincus’ American bulldog, welcomes employee dogs in the workplace and uses a silhouette of Zynga as its logo. Up the road in Emeryville, Clif Bar & Company, makers of those yummy organic energy treats, has be  Read more.

About Take Your Dog to Work Day

Pet Sitters International, (PSI), an educational association for professional canine caretakers, launched the first Take Your Dog to Work Day promotion in 1999. The purpose: to celebrate the canine-human bond and, perhaps, entice dogless co-workers to adopt a four-legged companion. The idea caught on, with thousands of companies, some registered, some not, participating in TYDTWD 2012.  Read more.

Soak Up The Scenery in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Photo Credit: Rachael Moore (CC) Just about everything about Santa Barbara, from the beautiful buildings to the beautiful people and the beautiful dogs, is a treat for the senses.  Read more.

Monterey Peninsula Romps and Rambles

Starting at Castroville in the north and continuing 18 miles to Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, the paved Monterey Bay Coastal Trail provides endless opportunities for you and your leashed canine pal to sample incredible vistas and charming towns. Don't miss Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, with waves to splash in and tidepools to explore. A bit inland, the Rip Van Winkle Open Space Dog A  Read more.

Get Inspired in Big Sur

Countless artists, mystics, poets, photographers, and happy dogs over the decades are not wrong: Big Sur is about as lovely as it gets. Starting with Pfeiffer Beach, where dogs have to stay on leash on the state-managed portions but can run free if under voice control on the US Forest Service-managed section. Once Rowdy's worked off that excess energy on the beach, the two of you might want to  Read more.

Maddie’s Adoptathon 2012 Hotspots

With 65 participating groups in 80 locations (OK, some of them are cats...), there's a lot of territory to cover in Maddie's Adoptathon. Note that if you're looking for a German Shorthaired Pointer, a German Shepherd or a Yorkie, those rescues are participating—all groups' normal adoption requirements apply, so get your paperwork in order before you go.   Photo: Chr  Read more.

Planning Ahead? Go Where the Dogs Are

If you're not looking to adopt now, but thinking ahead, start exploring the places you'd like to spend time with your future dog. Maybe you've been thinking about getting into flyball and your present dog has no interest. Now's the time to get acquainted with a flyball group in your area. Chances are the members will offer a wealth of advice about their dogs and where they came fro  Read more.

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Of Pugs and Politics

Meetup.com, founded in 2002, wasn’t created just for canines. But curiously, pugs played a role. According to techno-lore, the platform’s founders concocted a made-up event, International Pug Lovers Meetup Day, to test market the site. Pug lovers (and folks who merely found the idea hilarious) rallied to the cause, garnering press and visibility. Meetup.com gained a foothold   Read more.

Bay Area Meetups 2012

Some dog Meetups focus on a particular interest or breed, while some of the larger ones offer quite a range, from rescue to picnics to elegant evenings out. Some are extremely specific. Female Small Dog Owners 18 to 30ish in the East Bay, for example, is a social group for young women who own small dogs.  Read more.

‘Big Boys’ Amble

Even a Great Dane will feel dwarfed on a hike featuring the giants of Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley. The 300-acre Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve, administered by Marin County Parks & Open Space, is doubly rewarding in spring, when the meadow at the trailhead is splashed with wildflowers that paint a colorful swash against the somber palette of “big boys” in th  Read more.

Cronan Ranch Ramble

Not all hikes lead to a specific destination, but those that do are rewarding—especially when the weather is hot and the destination is wet. Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park, a 1,418-acre hiking and equestrian preserve near the Gold Country city of Auburn, offers multiple ways to access the swift and cold South Fork of the American River. Twelve miles of trails and an easily cycled ranch ro  Read more.

A toast to Whiskeytown

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area northwest of Redding is a bit off the beaten track, but once you discover it, we bet you’ll be back—with your dog, of course.  Read more.

Woof It Up in the Wild

Many Mendocino visitors stay glued to the coast during their visits, but to do so is to miss out on star canine attractions such as Cow Mountain Recreation Area, 27,000 acres of rugged terrain administered by the Bureau of Land Management near Ukiah; the Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest; and Stornetta Public Lands, a 1,132-acre coastal haven near Point   Read more.

Mendocino coasting with your canine

A mere glimpse of Mendocino’s gorgeously sculpted coastline is all it takes to turn urban angst into rural revelation. The scenery is so intoxicating you can happily spend a week along the Highway 1 corridor without venturing beyond sight or sound of the sea.  Read more.

What Goes On At A Dog Show?

The Woofstock Cluster, one of the biggest outdoor dog shows in the country,  is coming up June 7-10. It's a great chance to familiarize yourself with more than 100 breeds of dogs, but if it's your first show, you might not have any understanding of what exactly is going on in the ring. Here's a guide, courtesy of the Northern California Brittany Club. More information for beginner  Read more.

First Aid for Fido

If you travel with Fido or spend much time adventuring together in the outdoors, you should know how to treat common ailments and stabilize your pet in the event of an emergency. Dog First Aid, a manual published by the American Red Cross, deserves a place in every dog-lover’s glove compartment.  Read more.

Lepto, Lyme and other hazards

The Vet Buzz pages at DogTrekker.com are filled with advice on how to handle situations that might arise as you travel with your pup. Click on the links to read the articles. What you learn could save your pet’s life!  Read more.

Guard Against Heat Stroke

If you think you get hot in the summer, think how it must feel to go through the hotter months wearing a fur coat. Heat stroke is a major concern for pets as well as people. Symptoms include excessive panting and lethargy in both dogs and cats. If not caught early enough, heat stroke can cause metabolic changes that lead to death.  Read more.

Eco all the way

Photo by Planet Dog.

An entire industry has grown up around dog products that claim to be environmental friendly. Google around, and you’ll find everything from the practical (biodegradable pick-up bags)  Read more.

Dallying in Davis

The drive east on Interstate 80 from the San Francisco Bay Area to points beyond can hardly be described asscenic, but you don’t have to go far off the road to immerse yourself in an oasis of cool, leafy beauty.  Read more.

Nothing stingy about Stinson

Photo by Noelle.

The hang-gliders, surfers and beach-goers might first catch your eye, but it’s the “no dogs” signs you need to watch when visiting Stinson Beach in West Marin.  Read more.

A weekend for romance

Maya at Stanford Inn. Dave Kendrick photo.

If we had Valentine's weekend off, a significant other to share it with and the bling to do it right, we’d steer our sweetie—and the furry family member we wouldn’t dream of leaving behind—straight to a place where we could cuddle up and focus on each other.  Read more.

Shoe you can do it

Photo by Bonnie Kittle.

Anywhere there’s snow, you can snowshoe. Your hound, however, won’t float atop fresh powder like you do. He risks postholing, floundering in tree wells or even breaking through a snow bridge and falling into an icy stream if you don’t have  Read more.

Winterize Your Dog

Photo by Jeremy Bishop.

Cold-weather breeds like huskies and St. Bernards might snicker behind their paws, but pups without thick fur really do need protection from the cold if spending more than a short time in below-freezing temperatures.  Read more.

Beyond the crowds in Mendocino County

Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden. Photo by Pawparazzi Pet Photography, provided by MGBG.

Mendocino County is “so close and yet so far away” when it comes to scenery, attitude and ambiance. Whether you play it sophisticated or sniff out the rustic, you’ll have no trouble carving out an itinerary to fit your budget and style.  Read more.

Into the high country

Mono Lake Boardwalk. Photo by Mono Lake Committee.

The town of Lee Vining might be small, but it sits at the nexus of an area rich in opportunities for hiking, fishing, photography and bird-watching, which is at its peak in fall. The spic-'n'-span Murphey's Motel caters to explorers with dogs in tow. Nearby Mono Lake is unique for its otherworldly tufa towers.  Read more.

Fall color starts here

Fall color, Eastern Sierra. Photo by MonoCounty.com.

The 150 miles of Highway 395 between Topaz and Bishop (also known as the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway) ranks right up there with coastal Highway 1 as California's most scenic drive. You'll have trouble keeping Rover's head inside the window and your eyes on the asphalt as you travel this gorgeous route tracing the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada.  Read more.

Bridgeport and Bodie

Bodie State Historic Park. Photo by Pawan Thapa.

Bodie ghost town - Photo Keith Skelton Our suggestion for an Eastern Sierra trip over a long weekend: Pick up Highway 395 in Reno or Carson City and spend the first night about 100 miles down the road at the dog-friendly Bridgeport Inn, a historic lodge in the Mono County town of Bridgeport.  Read more.

Outrigger outings

Photo by Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too.

You won’t find a more eclectic collection of canoes and kayaks than at Catch-A-Canoe, which has been outfitting paddlers on the eight-mile-long Big River estuary near Mendocino since 1972.   Read more.

Safety First

Canoeing or kayaking with your dog can be among the most joyous of shared pastimes. But few dogs, even those who love water, will feel secure at first on the unstable deck of a kayak or the floor of a tippy canoe. Instinct can prompt even the best behaved Buddy to jump out and swim toward land‚ a serious problem if you’re on a river and have current to contend with. Dogs vary in temper  Read more.

Humboldt County off-leash beaches

A wealth of beaches where canines are allowed to run free within the wave slope make the Humboldt shore one of the most dog-friendly coastal areas in California. A favorite with locals is Clam Beach in McKinleyville, the perfect end point for a hike along the five-mile Hammond Coastal Trail, voted in a recent newspaper poll as best place to hike in Humboldt County. North of Arcata, Highway 101 hug  Read more.

Tahoe splash spots

Photo by Karsten Winegeart.

It can be tricky to find a beach at Lake Tahoe where you can bring Fido, but with a little planning you'll discover plenty of dog-friendly shoreline to dip your paws in the water and take in the view. Sturdy soles are a must, as most dog-friendly spots on the lakeshore are quite rocky.  Read more.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch

Photo by Sea Ranch Resort.

Sea Ranch was “eco-friendly” before Earth Day was even invented, and today as in its 1960s infancy, the low-key, architecturally distinct community attracts a clientele with “back to the land” … Continued  Read more.

Crystal blue perfection

A body of crystal-clear water ringed by granite slabs—how Sierra perfect is that? Long Lake, in the Tahoe National Forest's Serene Lakes group off the Soda Springs exit on Interstate 80, is a favorite summertime destination for families that count dogs as members. Get there early on weekends to claim a perch from which you can throw sticks to Rover all day.  Read more.

Pet-friendly Mendocino County

Maya checks into the Stanford Inn. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

If there's one destination in Northern California that really rolls out the red carpet for your pooch, it's pet-friendly Mendocino County. You'll find dozens of hotels, motels, inns, B&B's and cottages that will welcome you and your pup with open arms, treats and amenities. For more on accommodations, check out the Visit Mendocino pet friendly lodging page. In addition to great places to stay,  Read more.

Eureka, You’ve Found It!

If you’re not already hooked on Humboldt or haven’t stumbled across Big Foot by the time you get to Eureka, just wait: you’ll be hopelessly addicted in a day or two.  Read more.

Pet Friendly Santa Rosa

Welcome to Santa Rosa, where everything comes together: wine country and farm country, redwood forests and rivers, lakes and ocean. Just 55 miles north of San Francisco, Santa Rosa is a vibrant city that overflows with all you love about California, including dog–friendly accommodations, nearby wineries, events and activities to suit every lifestyle.  Read more.

The road to scenic overload

Hang tight to the steering wheel and make sure Rover is well secured when you head down Highway 1 from the Bay Area to the Central Coast. You’ll need all the attention you can muster to negotiate 122 miles of vertigo-inducing curves, each framing a view to make you gasp.  Read more.

Mendocino County’s coastal scenery

Coastal cottages in Mendocino. Photo by Lee Coursey (cc).

Mendocino County’s sculpted coastline is so intoxicating you can yappily spend a week without venturing beyond sight or sound of the sea.  Read more.

World’s Most Scenic Toll Road

17 Mile Drive. Photo by Pebble Beach Resorts.

Why buy the milk when the cow is free? The Monterey Peninsula is so outrageously scenic and so pet-friendly that you certainly don’t have to pay to feast your eyes … Continued  Read more.

Coasting Right Along

Photo by Wikimedia.

Point Pinos Lighthouse Your dog can’t come inside to watch otters cavorting and jellyfish pulsing in their tanks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. But that’s OK, because Monterey and the neighboring communities of Pacific Grove and Seaside offer a diverse array of pet-friendly lodging and plenty of things to do with Rover. You’ll need good walking shoes (and a light  Read more.

Delta dawgs

Isleton Bridge. Photo by Visit CA Delta.

The Sacramento River Delta is a watery maze worlds removed from the urban clutter of Sacramento and the Bay Area. On a Sunday drive you'll see old-time bridges and miles of levees that in the mid-1800s transformed a once trackless wetland into 55 agricultural islands—two of them connected by public ferry— that still produce food for Northern California. Regrettably, there are not many ar  Read more.

Do we hear an echo? Check out Echo Lakes!

Upper Echo Lake.

Pick a bluebird day and pack plenty of pep for an excursion to Echo Lakes, the southern gateway to Desolation Wilderness and one of the most glorious (and dog-friendly) ski and snowshoe destinations in the Sierra.  Read more.

Practical and portable

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez.

We mentioned the dog who hit the gear-shift knob while the car was going 70. Lesson learned: Loose dogs can pose a danger to drivers. Not every vehicle can accommodate a cumbersome crate, and if yours can't, the next best thing is an Auto Zip-Line. This clever device, which comes with a harness, attaches between any two fixed points to keep Rover safely contained in the back seat. (Now that he  Read more.

Personalize it

Photo by Zazzle.

The computer age brings with it all manner of personalization possibilities for anyone with a digital camera. At Evermine Labels, for example,  Read more.

Who let the dogs in?

Photo by Jetsetting Fashionista.

Sonoma County vintners are increasingly courting the dogtrekker demographic special dog-centric events for four–legged friends and the people on the other end of their leashes.   Read more.

Just say aawww….

Photo by Jamie Street.

Mother Nature gave most dogs a nice warm coat. They don’t “need” sweaters, thank you very much.  Read more.

Puppy love

Photo by Oskar Kadaksoo.

How to make sure your socks (or couch, hot-tub cover, etc.) don’t end up as confetti when there’s a puppy in the house?   Read more.

Exercise central

Photo by Samson Katt.

Got a leash puller? Give both of you a gift with a Sense-ation,  Easy Walk or other brand of no-pull harness. Available at most pet-supply stores, these innovative devices feature a front-chest leash … Continued  Read more.

Tough enough for jaws

Photo by Jake Oates.

It takes a rugged ball to stand up to dogs who love to chase, bounce and chew.   Read more.

San Francisco haunts

Sutro Baths. Photo by Thiago Santos.

Remember Heidi? Her family members did, and commemorated their beloved collie's life with a headstone at the Presidio Pet Cemetery.  Read more.

Half it your way

Montara. Photo by Waldo Broodryk.

It's hard to know what to do first in Half Moon Bay: Explore miles and miles of pristine beaches, scarf up some seafood at a seaside café,  Read more.

Romp ‘n’ roll at Point Reyes

Kehoe Beach. Photo by Jessica Bay.

Both you and your four-legged friend will be panting to go when you spy Limantour Beach, a two-mile, wave-washed spit of sand  Read more.

Sun sand, and tail waggin’ good times

Maya heads into the surf at Sunny Cove Beach.
Photo by Dave Kendrick.

If you and your pup don't live on the coast, you probably crave some surf and sand from time to time. Start at Mitchell's Cove, the number one dog beach in Santa Cruz.   Read more.

We are on a mission.

It all starts with our 4-Paw Promise™: to deliver local and accurate listings, provide engaging and actionable content and focus on social commitment to the communities we serve.  Read more.

Paws up for these dog-friendly hotels

If you’re like many visitors, you want to stay in a central location just a short jaunt from the attractions on your “must experience” list.  Fortunately, central Sacramento is chock-full … Continued  Read more.