Day 4: Barking ways

By: Roger Coryell
Dog on branch in Yosemite
“All-Paw-Drive” in National Forests.

Hit the trails with your four-legged friends.

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All vacations come to a close, or else we’d all be living a dog’s life! Enjoy your last day to its fullest with an early cup o’ Joe at River Rock Inn’s pet-friendly Sticks Coffee, serving locally-roasted small batch coffee and baked treats.

Ready to get some ya-ya’s out before heading back? Properly revved-up dogs can go APD (All-Paw-Drive) in the Sierra National Forest, featuring five designated wilderness areas within its expansive boundary.  Access the forest via Highways 140 or 41. Dogs need to be leashed and control at all times. Nearby Stanislaus National Forest features similar status.  Abundant recreational opportunities earn each forest its reps as dog – and outdoor- lover’s wonderlands.

Paw tip: A proper lunch on the way home might be the best tonic to soften your reentry to life back home.  Heading west, the Coulter Café & General Store is a gold nugget in tiny and charming Coulterville, with a metro foodie menu and gorgeous dog-delightful  patio. Southbound travelers can pull over in Fish Camp for al Fido lunch at Timberloft Pizzeria at Tenaya Lodge with its brick-oven artisanal pizzas.