Dog stories
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.
Kayaks, canoes and ocean-view rooms
Dogs love chasing tides and catching currents in Mendocino. Lucky us, Little River Inn gives pet parents curated access to two of the coast’s most memorable water adventures: kayaking the sea caves off Van Damme State Park and gliding up…
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Dogs get star treatment at the Little River Inn
Plenty of hotels permit dogs. Little River Inn has 80 years of hospitality history with a penchant for pups. Treats appear at check-in, fireplaces glow in ocean-view rooms and five heated cabanas let the whole pack dine together above the…
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Paws up for more pet-friendly frolicking
The paddle is the main adventure, but the Mendocino County itinerary extras are just as compelling. A footpath runs from Little River Inn straight into Van Damme State Park—redwoods on one side, surf on the other, no car keys required…
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Take it easy on a Big River outrigger
Prefer flat water to ocean swell? Big River delivers. Climb into an ultra-stable outrigger canoe outfitted for dogs and paddle a redwood-lined estuary at the most relaxed pace on the coast. It’s made for first-time paddlers, older pups, kids and…
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Kayak the sea caves of Van Damme
Few experiences anywhere let you paddle in a sea cave with your dog aboard—and this one launches from Van Damme beach, just minutes from the Little River Inn. A local guide leads you beneath towering cliffs and into protected coves…
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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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Your guide to Puptopia Big Bear 2026
Clear the calendar and get the car road trip ready—the mountains are howling! Big Bear Puptopia Festival is coming up on Saturday, July 25. The charming dog-centric celebration makes the perfect anchor to a fun-filled weekend along the shores of…
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Splash, stay and play in Big Bear
There’s so much to enjoy in Big Bear before and after the festival. Pair your Puptopia weekend with a property that’s got its own pool, then take the party to the lake—paddling, swimming and dockside naps included. Here’s how to…
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Tables for tail-waggers
Big Bear’s Village rolls out the welcome mat for four-legged diners, with ample summer patio seating, water bowls and the occasional honest-to-dog menu. Looking for a quick slice, a hearty breakfast or a craft beer after the festival? You’ll find…
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Choose your Big Bear basecamp
Veterans Park is an easy stroll from Big Bear Lake’s Village, so you can bed down anywhere from a lakefront boutique hotel to cozy, fireplace-warmed cabins. Book ASAP; festival weekend fills fast. Here are a few dog-friendly favorites within reach…
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Plan your pup’s Puptopia festival ‘fit
Puptopia is a day of sheer canine cuteness in waterside Veterans Park. It’s all about fun, games and pampering, with a giant ball pit, agility tunnels, spa treatments, vendor shopping and live stage shows. Whether your pup is a social…
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Last chance to join Wild Blue Dogs’ paw-some fall camp
Wild Blue Dogs Fall Camp is a six-night, all-inclusive retreat on 33 acres at Lake Tahoe. Professional trainers lead agility, nose work, paddleboarding, and 100-plus activities, while registration fees support canine cancer research. Early bird pricing ends April 30.
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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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