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
Kayaks, canoes and ocean-view rooms
Dogs love chasing tides and catching currents in Mendocino. Lucky us, Little River Inn gives pet parents curated access to two of the coast’s most memorable water adventures: kayaking the sea caves off Van Damme State Park and gliding up Big River by dog-friendly outrigger
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
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