Travelers driving through Contra Costa County on their way to San Francisco or San Jose might know the area only for its conveniently located rapid-transit stations—and that’s a shame because this scenic and affluent slice of the Bay Area is worth visiting for the dog treats alone. Here you can enjoy with stunning natural beauty including Mount Diablo and the sprawling East Bay Regional Parks as well as a thriving culinary scene (a lot of places are dog-friendly!).

Two fun cities to check out in Contra Costa are Concord and Pleasant Hill with lots of dog-friendly things to see and do.

Concord is all about embracing the trend of dog-friendly travel. Just like the local residents, visitors to this city don't need to leave their dogs at home. Instead, they can choose from several dog-friendly hotels for their stay. Home of the Taco Trail and many other dog-friendly restaurants, you won’t go hungry here. And there are plenty of places to go for a walk with your four-legger, including the Lime Ridge Open Space.

Pleasant Hill is a lovely city known for its family-friendly vibe and strong sense of community that truly welcomes dogs. For example, Paso Nogal Park is a large open space that also has two areas where dogs can run off-leash. Pleasant Hill is also great for dog owners to enjoy with its places to stay, eat and shop with your dog.