Coast
There’s nothing like the sight and sound of California coastal beaches to perk up a dog’s ears and set her tail to wagging—and California’s 840 miles of coastline offer plenty of fun for pups and their people. Don’t know where to go? DogTrekker.com has identified more than 200 dog-friendly beaches along the coast. Our favs, try off-leash Noyo Beach in Fort Bragg, Crissy Field in San Francisco, Mitchell’s Beach in Santa Cruz or Huntington Beach Dog Beach in Surf City USA!
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Stories about California Coastal Beaches
Dogs get star treatment at the Little River Inn
Plenty of hotels permit dogs. Little River Inn has 80 years of hospitality history with a penchant for pups. Treats appear at check-in, fireplaces glow in ocean-view rooms and five heated cabanas let the whole pack dine together above the Pacific. The Water Dog Package
Paws up for more pet-friendly frolicking
The paddle is the main adventure, but the Mendocino County itinerary extras are just as compelling. A footpath runs from Little River Inn straight into Van Damme State Park—redwoods on one side, surf on the other, no car keys required. Add the flat, walkable miles
Take it easy on a Big River outrigger
Prefer flat water to ocean swell? Big River delivers. Climb into an ultra-stable outrigger canoe outfitted for dogs and paddle a redwood-lined estuary at the most relaxed pace on the coast. It’s made for first-time paddlers, older pups, kids and anyone who’d rather watch for
Kayak the sea caves of Van Damme
Few experiences anywhere let you paddle in a sea cave with your dog aboard—and this one launches from Van Damme beach, just minutes from the Little River Inn. A local guide leads you beneath towering cliffs and into protected coves, with incredible views at every
Stanford Inn: Green, gorgeous and welcoming for 45 years
The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino celebrates 45 years of welcoming dogs with ocean-view rooms, plant-based dining, spa services and nature walks. This eco-resort treats four-legged guests like family, with treats, beds and coastal trails nearby.
Just a few rooms left for Pup Palooza!
Little River Inn hosts Pup Palooza, a lively spring celebration benefiting the Mendocino Coast Humane Society. Dog painting, wine tasting, training workshops, and costume contests fill the day, and lodging packages make it easy to stay the full weekend.
An easy California dog trip for seniors
California suits seniors traveling with dogs when the trip is built around short drives, easy walks, cooler weather and stops with clear pet rules.
California’s best dog-friendly resorts
Resorts are different from hotels. A hotel is somewhere you sleep between activities. A resort is the activity — grounds you can walk for an hour, restaurants and bars on the property, water access, real space for a dog to settle in over multiple nights
Flavors of the Peninsula, dog by your side
The San Francisco Peninsula’s Flavors of the Peninsula runs April 23 through May 3, 2026, inviting dog parents to explore a region defined by coastal views, neighborhood gems and global cuisine. From Half Moon Bay to bayside communities, participating restaurants make it easy to dine
ADA accessible dog-friendly trails on the Central Coast
California's Central Coast stretches from Santa Cruz to Ventura, encompassing some of the most dramatic coastline in the state. For travelers with mobility challenges — and their loyal four-legged companions — this region offers a surprising number of paved paths, boardwalks, and accessible trails with
ADA accessible dog-friendly trails in Southern California
Southern California's diverse landscape -- from mountain lakes to desert oases to coastal bluffs -- offers a surprising number of paved and accessible trails where handlers with mobility needs and their dogs can enjoy the outdoors together. Whether we're talking about a boardwalk through a
Dog-friendly Mendocino coast: why April is the best time
There's a stretch of California coastline where fog rolls in like a slow exhale, bluffs erupt in wildflowers every spring, and nobody blinks when your dog walks into a restaurant. That's the Mendocino Coast, and April is arguably the best month to experience it with