Featured things to do
Roaring Camp Railroads
Felton
Roaring Camp Railroads is a family-friendly (dogs included, of course) railroad that operates steam excursion trains on a narrow-gauge track once used to haul giant redwood logs from the forest.
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Best dog-friendly trails in California
California has more dog-friendly trails than any reasonable person could hike in a lifetime. We've narrowed it down to ten picks that deliver the best combination of scenery, dog access, and that post-hike feeling of having actually done something with…
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Feeling fine in Felton
Just seven miles from Santa Cruz, Felton offers dog-friendly steam train rides through redwoods at Roaring Camp Railroads, trails at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and the quirky Bigfoot Discovery Museum.
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Riding through the redwoods
Reader Diana shares her family's trip to Roaring Camp Railroads in the Santa Cruz redwoods. The dogs loved riding on the caboose end, lunch at the food court was easy, and the nearby forest trails made for a full day.
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Set the scene in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County pairs redwood forests, sandy beaches and a walkable downtown into one excellent dog-friendly getaway. Ride a steam train, go tidepooling, hike off-leash trails and explore 15 miles of dog-welcoming coastline.
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Things to do with your dog in Santa Cruz
Beyond the beaches, Santa Cruz County offers dog-friendly hiking at Byrne-Milliron Forest and Pogonip, steam train rides at Roaring Camp Railroads, and leashed strolls down boutique-lined Pacific Avenue. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park even allows dogs on select trails.
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Central Coast nesting season: a dog owner’s calendar
Month-by-month guide to Central Coast beach closures for snowy plover nesting, plus dog-friendly beaches that stay open March through September.
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