Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree
Many Mendocino County visitors stick to the Instagram-worthy sweep of coastline between Little River and Fort Bragg, but you can veer inland for different views. Interior Mendocino is dotted with redwood groves, wineries, off-the-beaten-path parks and small towns that extend a warm welcome to travelers with pets. Take Highway 101 north from Cloverdale to reach Ukiah, Willits and Leggett, where you’ll find the winding Eel River and an irresistibly kitschy roadside attraction: the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree Park. more »
Water Dog at the Little River Inn. Photo by Brendan McGuigan.
Mendocino County has so many dog-friendly activities that you might want to stay a few extra days. The Skunk Train is a northern California classic that departs from depots in coastal Fort Bragg and inland Willits. If splashing around with your pooch is more your style, book the Water Dog Package at the Little River Inn. Or, take to the waves with a specially designed canine cruiser from Catch A Canoe & Bicycles Too, at the adjacent Stanford Inn. Check out our full list of pup-centered attractions. more »
Henri at Four Points Sheraton. Photo by Visit Santa Cruz County.
Tucked conveniently close to towering redwoods and coastal adventures, Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley is a welcoming favorite among four-legged guests and the humans who follow. From here, it’s a short trip to the Roaring Camp Railroads, where you can ride the rails with your pooch. Or, head over to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and West Glenwood Open Space Preserve for paw-friendly hiking trails.
After a full day of activities in Scotts Valley, swing by 5030 Restaurant & Lounge for California small plates and pints brewed just down the road. Looking for other overnight options? Here are a few more of Santa Cruz County’s best dog-friendly hotels. more »
Maya and Roxanne on the deck of Ruthie’s Cabin at Nick’s Cove. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
Take a gorgeous national seashore and sprinkle in some intriguing history. Then, add luxury cottages, an oyster bar, and a restaurant. Give it a shake, and what do you get? Nick’s Cove Restaurant, Oyster Bar & Cottages, a dog-friendly, boutique resort on Tomales Bay in Marin County, just outside Point Reyes National Seashore.
Since the 1930s, the cozy cabins at Nick's Cove have accommodated sightseers, fishing fans and outdoor adventurers exploring the beautiful Tomales Bay coast. Book direct and save. more »
Maya and Cody take a swim at Dog & Pony Ranch. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
We all love exciting, dog-friendly lodging and family experiences, and the farm stay adventure at Dog & Pony Ranch in Amador County stands out on that list.
DogTrekker Barketing Director Maya spends her days hiking off-leash and running around this scenic, 60-acre ranch in the Sierra foothills. She splashes and swims in the dog-friendly pond. She gets nose-to-nose with horses, llamas, mini-donkeys and chickens (with extensive fencing to keep dogs safely separated, of course). She also loves evening downtime with her parents in the luxury lodge-style home. more »
Maya checks out the llamas at Dog & Pony Ranch. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
Dog-friendly cabins dot the California landscape, connecting four-legged family members with best-in-show adventures. Whether you prefer a farm stay in Gold Country, a trek along Yosemite trails, or a Marin County coastal stroll, you’ll always find great options. Because DogTrekker.com readers tell us that cabins and cottages are their top lodging preference, we asked Maya, DogTrekker’s Director of Barketing, to do some digging. She’s traveled California in search of dog-friendly cabins and cottages, and here are three of her favorites.
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Story of Owney, U.S. Rail Mail Mascot at the California State Railroad Museum. Dogs welcome outside. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
It’s a new year and Sacramento has come thrillingly alive again. Restaurants, craft breweries and entertainment venues are humming – and wherever you look, you’ll see people with dogs! Join us in our journey as we wag through Old Sacramento, play in some great parks and check out the dog scene at dog-friendly Sacramento hotels.
Discover some DogTrekker favorites in Sacramento:
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Bonnie plays with friend at Partner Park. Photo by Janet Fullwood.
Sacramento has a couple of nicknames. For the last decade or so, it’s prided itself as “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital” due to its location in the agriculture-rich Central Valley. But it’s been known since the mid-1800s as the “City of Trees” for the robust canopies that shelter its many parks and older residential neighborhoods. The tree-planting binge started by early residents never stopped, and today, Sacramento’s parks provide shady refuge for DogTrekkers, even on the hottest summer days. more »
Sacramento’s Tower Bridge, with pedestrian and bike lane.
Sacramento’s No. 1 tourist destination is as popular with locals as with visitors. And now that masks are off and smiles are on, it’s crazy hopping with activity again. The Old Sacramento Waterfront is loaded with history – it played a major role as a jumping off spot and supply center during the 1849 Gold Rush. With its waterfront location, wealth of historic buildings and protection as a state and national historic landmark, it retains an enduring charm. more »
Lime kilns. Photo by Garrick Ramirez, Visit Santa Cruz.
Hit the trails of Pogonip with the pup to see the historic ruins of the lime kilns. It wasn’t just redwood logs that helped to build burgeoning Bay Area cities during the 19th century, it was also lime. Follow the Lime Kiln Trail into a redwood forest, and you’ll discover massive stone furnaces that processed the lime. Your pup may not be as interested in the historical treasures on this hike, but she’ll love sniffing along the way. more »