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.

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…

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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…

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

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…

Read more

Dog-friendly trails and outdoor adventures near Yosemite this spring

If your dog measures joy in miles, spring in Yosemite Mariposa County delivers. Dog-friendly trails inside the Valley and throughout nearby national forest lands offer space to roam beneath towering granite cliffs and whispering pines. Visit midweek for open trailheads…

Read more

ARE DOGS ALLOWED IN YOSEMITE? WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.

There’s no place like Yosemite Mariposa County in spring, especially when you’re joined by your favorite four-legged friend.

Read more

Autumn-friendly things to do with your pets in Yosemite Mariposa

The Yosemite Mariposa County region offers an adventure-filled autumn vacation not just for humans but for their four-legged companions as well.

Read more

Puptopia Festival

Calling all dog lovers and pet parents! You're invited to come out to the Big Bear Puptopia Festival on July 25 for a tail-wagging day of fun in Veterans Park. Enjoy the Pawground, relax in the K9 Lounge, watch stunt…

Read more

Explore The San Francisco Peninsula – paws welcome!

Welcome to the San Francisco Peninsula — where family-friendly travel includes your four-legged companions. From scenic hiking trails and dog-friendly beaches to charming, walkable downtowns, The Peninsula makes it easy to create memorable experiences with your pet by your side.

Read more

Stanford Inn: Green, gorgeous and welcoming for 45 years

The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino celebrates 45 years of welcoming dogs with ocean-view rooms, plant-based dining, spa services and nature walks. This eco-resort treats four-legged guests like family, with treats, beds and coastal trails nearby.

Read more

Where dogs ride the waves

Held at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, along the Peninsula’s coast, the World Dog Surfing Championships showcases talented canine athletes

Read more