There's something sacred about the open road—especially with a dog riding shotgun. Windows down, ears flapping, that nose pressed to the wind like it's decoding the world. Every stop is an adventure: new smells, strange squirrels, a patch of grass with a story to tell.

The year ahead in dog-friendly California

DogTrekker's guide to making the most of 2026 with your dog in California — expanded coverage of dog-friendly destinations, under-the-radar cities and regions that warmly welcome four-legged family members.

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Get your dog-friendly kicks on route 395 in the Eastern Sierra

A dog-friendly road trip guide for Route 395 in the Eastern Sierra — stunning views, light traffic and plenty to explore along 150 miles of the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway.

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Pleasant Hill Itinerary

Pleasant Hill is practically pet-tastic — with 5 out of 7 hotels welcoming dogs, plus pet-sitting services, dog-friendly restaurants, great hiking and more to explore with your pup.

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Dog-friendly Mendocino County itinerary

A multi-day dog-friendly itinerary through Mendocino County — from Hopland wineries to coastal adventures, with stops at dog-welcoming lodging, restaurants and trails along the way.

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Dog-friendly itinerary in Greater Palm Springs

With sun-drenched landscapes, stylish midcentury architecture and a vibrant cultural scene, Greater Palm Springs is the perfect dog-friendly vacation destination for furry friends to kick back.

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Mendocino County Beer Trail

Discover the dog-friendly Mendocino County Beer Trail — a craft beer lover's paradise amid Northern California's coastal beauty, featuring friendly breweries, good food and a warm community spirit.

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Road trip. Sacramento to Mammoth Lakes and back

A dog-friendly road trip from Sacramento to Mammoth Lakes and back via South Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Yosemite — discovering welcoming locales and breathtaking scenery along the way.

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Visit Napa and Sonoma wineries from Vacaville

Escape to the Carneros region, Napa Valley and Sonoma County for a dog-friendly wine tasting adventure near the affordable city of Vacaville — top wineries that warmly welcome canine companions.

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Yosemite Mariposa road trip

Didn't think you could take your dog to Yosemite? Think again\! A dog-friendly road trip through Yosemite Mariposa County with breathtaking landscapes and welcoming stops along the way.

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Road trip stories

The accessible dog lover’s guide to California: travel for every body and every dog

“Accessible” is one of those words that means something different to everybody. For one reader it means a beach you can actually roll a wheelchair onto. For another it means a flat, shady half-mile instead of a 6-mile grind. For…

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Low-effort, high-tail-wag: California’s easiest dog-friendly getaways

Not every dog trip needs a summit, a sunrise alpine start or a packing list the length of your arm. Some of the best ones are almost lazy — a short drive, a flat walk, a patio with a water…

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Roll, stroll and sniff: California’s most wheelchair-accessible dog-friendly beaches

Sand is where good intentions go to get stuck. A boardwalk ends, the dunes begin, and suddenly a wheelchair, a walker or a 14-year-old dog with stiff hips is parked at the edge of the very thing you drove out…

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Marin County: Trails, off-leash beaches, and waterfront patios

Cross the Golden Gate and the whole vibe changes. Sausalito shimmers off the water, redwoods close in around Mill Valley, and somehow five minutes from San Francisco, you’re in the kind of place where dogs are expected at the coffee…

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Which airlines allow large dogs in the cabin?

Most airlines have a firm rule: dogs over 20 pounds fly in the cargo hold or don’t fly at all. But a handful of carriers have quietly changed that, letting large dogs ride in the passenger cabin alongside their people…

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Why spring is the best-kept secret in Gold Country

If you've been waiting for the right moment to load up the car and point it toward the Sierra foothills, this is it.

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