Wine time with the pup
Visiting dog-friendly California wineries is a favorite DogTrekker activity. Even during the second year of the pandemic, summer saw crowded tasting rooms, packed patios and sold-out tours and special events.
Find tips and insights on dog-friendly wine areas ripe for visiting:
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Santa Clara Valley wine trail
The city of Gilroy is part of the historic Santa Clara Valley, one of California’s oldest wine growing regions and home to more than 35 family-owned wineries and tasting rooms, many of them dog-friendly. Even though some of Gilroy’s wineries have been around since the turn of the century, the region is still one of California’s best-kept secrets when it comes to wine tasting! more »
Photo by Santa Cruz County.
There are so many wine-tasting choices in Santa Cruz County – more than 70 small-production wineries and tasting rooms in all – that narrowing down a dog-friendly itinerary can be a delightfully difficult exercise. Might as well pick a region, a theme and a “wine trail” to stay on course. There’s the Organic Wine Trail showcasing organic vineyards, for example. more »
Maya chillin' at Navarro Vineyards & Winery. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
Nothing like a change of scenery to cleanse your soul of the pandemic blues (but don’t forget your mask)! If wine tasting is on your agenda, know that Mendocino County is home to 10 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) lumped together under the Mendocino County label. more »
Dogs love to stay in Vacaville wine country
Maybe you know Vacaville in Solano County as a place you see exit signs for as you zoom past on Interstate 80. But if you and your four-legged companion have never checked it out, you can’t know what you’re missing! Vacaville is an affordable base camp for DogTrekkers keen on visiting Northern California wine country. And, it's very dog-friendly! more »
Bella visits the capital, image courtesy of Duroncelet
As the seasons change and the smoke from Northern California wildfires gives way to crystal-blue skies, opportunities for exploring Sacramento and the destinations in its “big back yard” expand. Make the state capital your home base and take off from there. Here is the best of dog-friendly Sacramento and neighboring communities:
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Take your pup to the Clarksburg Wine Trail
Just 15 miles south of downtown Sacramento, the scenic Sacramento River Delta opens up, city life slows to a crawl and the Clarksburg American Viticultural Area offers all kind of dog-friendly, small-batch wine-tasting experiences, along with a few good places to eat. If you’re not from Sacramento, it’s probably all new to you, so take a leisurely drive of discovery and find out more. more »
Image courtesy of Visit Folsom
Just up Highway 50 from Sacramento, the city of Folsom is a superb dog-friendly destination with a handsomely renovated Old Town just a block or two from the Sacramento River. Cuddle up in dog-friendly lodging and spend a weekend exploring with your four-legged friend. Get your bearings on Sutter Street (the main drag), where you can soak up some local motion at a dog-friendly taproom or restaurant. more »
Enter Today!
Historically known as the quintessential California beach vacation, Santa Cruz County is the best place to put your paws in the sand. Enter the Let’s Cruz Safely DogCation® Getaway for a chance to win a two-night stay at the Chaminade Resort, where you and your pup can embrace your mutual sense of adventure.
In addition to the two-nights, the package includes two tickets to pet-friendly Roaring Camp Railroads; $25 gift certificate to dog-friendly Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing; two O’Neill brand face masks, Santa Cruz stickers, and other Santa Cruz swag.
Enter Today. more »
Theo at Its Beach, photo by: @theothebulldog
It’s no secret that California Highway 1 (aka the Pacific Coast Highway) is considered one of the most scenic routes in the country. All the better, then, that it leads to Santa Cruz, arguably one of the most scenic sun-and-surf towns in the state. You’ll love it there and so will your dog, given all the fun activities you can do together. more »