Cooper at Manhattan Beach (aka Blufftop Beach), Half Moon Bay
From the editors: We thank John Poimiroo for this special tribute to Cooper, a passionate and loyal DogTrekker! Check out his adventures after the "more" below.
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Cooper loved to travel. You might say Dogtrekker.com was created for Coop.
In his ten years, this Lab/border collie/cattle dog mix traveled to seven states, but most of all he loved going anywhere DogTrekker recommended. Coop teamed up with Niki Frost when he was just eight weeks old. His mom had been rescued by
Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue when she was pregnant with 10 puppies.
Niki relates that at seven months she took Coop to the vet, worried that his rough paws might need ointment. She recounted, "When I asked the vet, she grabbed his paws and looked at me in the eyes and said, 'This dog is not a house cat! His paws should be rough. He is made to swim in oceans, run in sand, climb on rocks and go on adventures. I would be concerned if they were not rough."
And so, Niki set out to assure that Cooper's paws never softened. Only her heart would do that. She and Coop became avid DogTrekkers, though the jury is still out whether Coop loved the beach or the mountains more.
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Maya & Friends
Taken aback by prices at Napa and Sonoma hotels and wineries? Stay in Vacaville at half the price (or, just make it a day-trip) and visit nearby Suisun Valley Rustic Wine Country, a verdant Solano County agricultural region where you’ll find numerous dog-friendly wineries offering outdoor, socially distanced tasting opportunities. more »
Maya Checks Out Saracina Winery, Hopland, CA
October is prime time to pack the corkscrew, the leash and your four-legged friend for a trip up north to Mendocino County, where the vineyards are blazing with fall color and the mood everywhere is as mellow as can be. The county’s 11 diverse appellations each express a style of their own, and while you can hardly sample them all in a weekend, you can choose an itinerary along one of the county’s “wine roads.” more »
Dog-passionate Santa Cruz Wineries!
Think “Santa Cruz County,” and you may not be able to distance yourself from its sand-and-surf image. But the county is in fact large and diverse, encompassing inland redwood forests, dozens of mountain wineries and almost as many microclimates where you and your canine companion can sip and chill (wine for you, water for your pup!). more »
Dogs Welcome Along the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail
Now here’s a wine region that’s hiding in plain sight. The Santa Clara Valley (also known as Silicon Valley) is one of California’s oldest wine-growing regions and home to some 34 family-owned wineries and tasting rooms, many of them dog-friendly.
The city of Gilroy, known for its famous garlic festival, is your home base for exploring the region; just follow the Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail signage to craft your own tour. more »
Wineries, Pumpkins and Vacaville, Oh My!
There’s no time better than October to visit the Suisun Valley between Davis and Vacaville in Solano County. Not only are the vineyards ablaze; pumpkin patches, farm stands and other agricultural points of interest are in full swing. (Don’t miss Larry’s Produce, a vast produce enterprise with adjacent pumpkin patch.)
The valley is just a ridge away from the famous Napa Valley, and its wines share many characteristics native to the shared climate. Suisun bills itself as “rustic wine country” and prides itself on providing friendly welcomes to visitors with dogs on the other end of the leash. more »
Maya Checks Out Saracina Winery, Hopland, CA
Mendocino County is known for its wines (and its brews, too) but as tasting-room openings and closures fluctuate in accordance with state mandates, DogTrekkers will want to pay close tabs before setting out to sip. As of July 13, all indoor facilities are shut indefinitely. In general, outdoor tasting is permitted, by reservation.. Keep up with the latest at mendowine.com. more »
Sidewalk Dining at Big Bottom Market in Downtown Guerneville
Sonoma County is one of the biggest pieces of real estate in California, and its treasures span a geographic landscape stretching from the Russian River Valley to coastal communities and beyond. Best bet for you and your tail-wagger, especially in winter: pick a region and settle in for a few days. more »
Mark your holiday calendar because Santa and his water sleigh are making their way to Tomales Bay! Jolly Old Saint Nick is making his 9th annual visit to Nick's Cove on Sunday, December 8, from 3-5PM. more »
Photo: Instagram @thecharliebean
Yes, Oakland is a vibrant urban place to visit, but it’s not all about dog-friendly ale and wine trails, waterfront dining and hotels (more about that below). As dog-centric locals know, one of the pleasures of living here is proximity to many open-space preserves where you can flee the big-city hustle-bustle and revel with your pup in the shade of redwoods or atop grassy ridges with panoramic views. more »