Maya and her crew that follows. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
After a day spent shopping (don’t miss Sweet Pea’s Pet Boutique!), hiking in places like Rockville Hills Regional Park, or sipping your way through wine country highlights, unwind back in Vacaville. Close to town, some great dog parks let you take in the scenery while dogs stretch their legs. Lagoon Valley Dog Park presents 30,000 square feet of fenced-in fun, complete with benches, tables, water stations and safe, tail-waggin’ adventures. 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 hanging out in the garden. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
Fresh sea breezes. Fido-friendly paddling, pedaling and hiking. Sustainable practices and cleaning products. Local wine and produce plated hours after harvest. Simple suggestions for living well. Enjoy highlights like these at dog-passionate Stanford Inn by the Sea, a historic farm and eco-resort on the Mendocino coast.
Tucked between old-growth trees and USDA-certified organic gardens, this dog-friendly California destination weaves wellness, relaxation and earth-friendly elements into each stay. Here’s what to explore when you visit. more »
Dog-sailing on Big River. Photo courtesy of Catch A Canoe.
Stanford Inn Wellness Programs Director Sid Garza-Hillman oversees experiences that help resort guests recharge, revive and restore their health. One of his favorite recommendations is a simple one: walking. Taking more steps benefits both humans and their four-legged family members. With gorgeous beaches, state parks and small-town streets all within a stone’s throw of the Stanford Inn, it’s a great place to start. more »
Photo by Visit Concord.
DogTrekkers tell us that hiking is their favorite activity when visiting new destinations. Happily, Concord has so many hikes that you’ll want to stay a few extra days. The trails of Briones Regional Park unfold to the west of town. Lime Ridge Open Space stretches across the southern landscape. Both Baldwin Dog Park and Newhall Park Paw Patch welcome pups within the city. Get historical with the Concord Historical Society’s self-guided walking tour. more »
“Dogs Welcome Here!” isn’t just a tagline in Concord. Pups are central to the community’s fabric, and you’ll see that in the way hotels, restaurants, breweries, bars and parks put out the welcome bowls for four-legged visitors.
In fact, this dog-friendly city just produced a dog-gone great guide to the Concord Perro Trail. Named in honor of the community’s Hispanic heritage, the free, downloadable map covers Concord’s very dog-walkable downtown plus nearby parks and open spaces.
Here are some of our favorite places to hike, eat, grab a drink and stay in Concord:
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Maya resting in an Explorer Cabin after a hike on the Tenaya Loop Trail. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
Feeling a little spring fever? Now is the perfect time to plan a getaway with your furry friend. The Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge are designed for pet-lovers, making dog travel a breeze. These modern, two-bedroom cabins are tucked on 27 wooded acres—perfect for adventuring with two- and four-legged family members—and they’re just minutes from the main lodge and more resort amenities.
To fetch the best deals on dog-friendly travel, book the Fido-Friendly Pet Package at Tenaya Lodge. 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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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 »