Our DogTrekker writers know dog-friendly California like your pup knows the treat jar—intimately and enthusiastically. Whether sniffing out beaches in San Diego, dog-friendly wineries in Sonoma, hiking trails in the Sierra, or cozy mountain cabins near Big Bear Lake, we're your trusted guides for dog travel. From bustling cities to hidden wilderness gems, we fetch reliable tips, insights, and local secrets to make traveling with your four-legged friend effortless. Trust DogTrekker to lead you and your pup to tail-wagging dog travel adventures across dog-friendly California.

What every dog lover should learn from the Miranda’s case

A Humboldt County rescue that took 1,200-plus dogs from California shelters is under criminal investigation. Here's what the case reveals about the system — and how to vet a rescue yourself in 20 minutes.

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Bark n’ Brewfest

The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA's annual Bark n' Brewfest returns to Washington Park in Burlingame on June 27, offering guests the chance to sample beers from more than 20 local brewers while meeting adoptable animals looking for forever homes…

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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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Gentle adventures: California outings for senior and limited-mobility dogs

A graying muzzle isn’t a reason to leave your dog home — it’s a reason to plan a little smarter. Senior dogs and dogs with mobility issues still light up at a new trail, a strange smell, a nap in…

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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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Service dogs in California: where your dog can go and what the law actually says

Few corners of dog travel generate as much bad information as service dogs. Hotel clerks turn away people they’re legally required to admit. Meanwhile, a brisk online trade in vests and “certificates” convinces folks they can take any dog anywhere…

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The Beachcomber family welcomes you and your dog

A family-run hospitality group we’ve long admired recently expanded their Fort Bragg pawprint. Siblings Bob Hunt and Pam Amante—the team behind the dog-friendly Beachcomber Motel, Surf & Sand Lodge, and Beach House Inn—added The Wharf Restaurant and Anchor Lodge to…

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Your Fort Bragg dining guide

Dogs are welcome to the tables in Fort Bragg. The Wharf Restaurant—a longtime DogTrekker favorite—just joined the Hunt family’s collection.

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The Beachcomber Hotel Group dog-friendly hotel line-up

The flagship, perched directly on the bluff above MacKerricher State Park, the Beachcomber puts 10 miles of dog-walkable beach and the Coastal Trail right out the back door.

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A family story 50 years in the making

Every great dog-friendly hotel has a story, but the Beachcomber Hotel Group’s might be the most charming one on the Mendocino Coast.

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Stay together on the San Francisco Peninsula

Traveling with your dog has never been easier or more enjoyable on the San Francisco Peninsula. From sleek, design-forward hotels in the heart of Silicon Valley to cozy coastal retreats along Half Moon Bay, there’s no shortage of welcoming…

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Splash hits: Summer delights for water-loving dogs

The dog days of summer are here! Got a pup who loves the water? California's rivers, lakes and coastal landscapes welcome four-legged family members with paw-some adventures.

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Hit the water on spectacular Lake Siskiyou

Lake Siskiyou is strikingly beautiful, incredibly dog-friendly and delightfully under the radar. Set among the waterfalls and wilderness of northwestern California, near the Oregon border, it’s especially inviting in the summer.

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Rove the rivers and coastline of magical Mendocino

Few places cater to water-loving canines like Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too. A perennial DogTrekker favorite, this Mendocino coast mainstay runs guided tours and rents dog-friendly watersports equipment on the Stanford Inn grounds. Innkeepers Joan and Jeff Stanford have…

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Dive into summer at Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake boasts 300 days of sunshine and dark nights perfect for stargazing, but that's just the start. This mountain jewel in the San Bernardino National Forest also has great fishing, boating and water activities, hiking and biking trails…

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Fetch sun and sea on the San Francisco Peninsula

Home to 60+ miles of Pacific coastline and 30 miles of San Francisco Bay shores, The San Francisco Peninsula puts beach adventures in easy reach. Conveniently located between Silicon Valley and the City by the Bay, this pup-focused destination features…

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Live like a local in dog-friendly Sacramento

Set along the Sacramento and American rivers, Sacramento offers endless activities and an engaging dog-friendly lifestyle. Mornings start on waterfront trails. Afternoons unfold across sun-kissed parks and restaurant patios. Each evening, serene, stylish hotels invite four- and two-legged guests to…

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