Sacramento, California’s capital city, is a vibrant hub for dog-friendly travel where trips into the Central Valley, the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta and the Sierra Nevada foothills begin. Sacramento’s main attraction for DogTrekkers is the 32-mile American River Parkway, a shady greenbelt cradling a dog-friendly trail that stretches from the Old Sacramento Waterfront historic district to the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Along the Parkway, you’ll find off-leash areas at Glenbrook Park and Rossmoor Bar, plus easy river access where dogs can splash and cool off on warm days.

Beyond the Parkway, Sacramento is packed with dog-welcoming green spaces. William Land Park offers shaded walking paths near the Sacramento Zoo, while Partner Park in the Pocket neighborhood provides a dedicated off-leash area for pups of all sizes. For a scenic urban stroll, the Sacramento River Walk Trail connects West Sacramento to downtown with waterfront views your dog will love.

Sacramento has earned the nickname “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital,” and many of its dog-friendly restaurants set out water bowls alongside locally sourced menus. The midtown Farmers’ Market is another dog-friendly stop where you can browse fresh produce and artisan goods with your four-legged companion. When you’re ready to explore beyond city limits, Sacramento makes an ideal base camp for day trips to the gold-rush town of Coloma, the vineyards of Amador County wine country, and the pet-friendly trails of the Eldorado National Forest.