North Coast
Our pups have discerning tastes: good sleeps, good eats and plenty of play. Just north of San Francisco, the "North of Ordinary" counties of California – Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte – offer plenty of fun for both you and fido on the North Coast in Northern California.
Here you'll find California's favorite whales, wineries and woof walks. Relaxation is the name of the game, and your dog is welcome almost anywhere.
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Stories about North Coast
What every dog lover should learn from the Miranda’s case
A Humboldt County rescue that took 1,200-plus dogs from California shelters is under criminal investigation. Here's what the case reveals about the system — and how to vet a rescue yourself in 20 minutes.
The Beachcomber family welcomes you and your dog
A family-run hospitality group we’ve long admired recently expanded their Fort Bragg pawprint. Siblings Bob Hunt and Pam Amante—the team behind the dog-friendly Beachcomber Motel, Surf & Sand Lodge, and Beach House Inn—added The Wharf Restaurant and Anchor Lodge to their collection. With deep North
Your Fort Bragg dining guide
Dogs are welcome to the tables in Fort Bragg. The Wharf Restaurant—a longtime DogTrekker favorite—just joined the Hunt family’s collection.
The Beachcomber Hotel Group dog-friendly hotel line-up
The flagship, perched directly on the bluff above MacKerricher State Park, the Beachcomber puts 10 miles of dog-walkable beach and the Coastal Trail right out the back door.
A family story 50 years in the making
Every great dog-friendly hotel has a story, but the Beachcomber Hotel Group’s might be the most charming one on the Mendocino Coast.
Splash hits: Summer delights for water-loving dogs
The dog days of summer are here! Got a pup who loves the water? California's rivers, lakes and coastal landscapes welcome four-legged family members with paw-some adventures.
Rove the rivers and coastline of magical Mendocino
Few places cater to water-loving canines like Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too. A perennial DogTrekker favorite, this Mendocino coast mainstay runs guided tours and rents dog-friendly watersports equipment on the Stanford Inn grounds. Innkeepers Joan and Jeff Stanford have been welcoming pups to this
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.
Redwoods, shallow roots, and dogs on fire roads
Coast redwoods have roots just 6-12 feet deep but 100 feet wide. Here's why that shapes where your dog can walk in California's redwood parks.
Roosevelt elk and dogs: rules for the North Coast
Roosevelt elk, bears, seal pups, plovers — California's North Coast is thick with wildlife. Here's exactly what to do when your dog meets them.
Pups for the planet: leaving only paw prints
This Earth Day, DogTrekker is celebrating something worth wagging about: our community. A recent reader survey shows 99% of you pack it in and pack it out, and 95% leash up in sensitive habitats. Now, that’s a pack worth howling about! Our Leave Only Paw
Heatstroke and hot pavement: California dog summer safety
Heatstroke kills 50–64% of affected dogs, and 3 out of 4 cases are caused by exercise — not hot weather alone. Here's what California dog owners need to know about hot pavement, warning signs, emergency cooling, and the state law that lets you break a