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 whole team is welcome in Redding

Meetings look different in Redding, especially for small teams looking for destinations where dogs can be seamlessly integrated into the experience.

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Sheepdog trials in California: Brilliant dogs, bewildered sheep

Sheepdog trials test outrun, fetch, drive, shed, and pen on a scored 100-point course. California hosts a deep trial tradition, and the USBCHA National Finals return to Alturas in 2026. Expect brilliant Border Collies and deeply unimpressed sheep.

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A day in the life of a guide dog

A guide dog's day runs on routine, intelligent disobedience, and hours of quiet focus in public. California has shaped the field since 1947, when Guide Dogs for the Blind opened its San Rafael campus. Here is what the work actually…

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Dog-friendly Eastern Sierra spring: where to go

You don't need the high passes to enjoy the Eastern Sierra in spring. Highway 395 stays open all year, and Lone Pine, Bishop, Convict Lake, the June Lake Loop, and Mono Lake come to life in May and June with…

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Dog-friendly Bay Area spring getaways under 2 hours

Five spring dog-friendly escapes under two hours from San Francisco or Oakland: Half Moon Bay and Pescadero, Healdsburg and the Russian River, Calistoga and upper Napa, Bodega Bay and the Sonoma Coast, and Santa Cruz on the edge of Monterey…

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4 high-elevation dog-friendly hikes for late wildflower season

California's high country blooms a full month or two after the valleys. Four dog-friendly hikes where wildflowers are still climbing into June and July: Carson Pass, Panther Meadows on Mount Shasta, the June Lake Loop, and the country around Lassen.

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Dog-friendly Father’s Day: 5 California trips dads will want

Five honest California Father's Day trips, all dog-friendly: McCloud and the Shasta Cascade, Paso Robles ranch country, Trinidad on the Humboldt coast, Mammoth Lakes at full stretch, and Nevada City in the Gold Country. Muddy dogs, cabin porches, no infusions.

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Dog-friendly Memorial Day weekend in California: 6 escapes

Six dog-friendly California escapes for Memorial Day weekend: North Lake Tahoe, the Mendocino coast, Big Bear Lake, Avila Beach, Bishop and the Eastern Sierra, and Bodega Bay. Each pick includes real places to stay, and why the rooms book out…

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Dog-friendly Bodega Bay and the Sonoma Coast

Bodega Bay and the Sonoma Coast deliver 17 miles of rugged beaches, coves, and bluffs where leashed dogs are welcome. We map Doran Regional Park, Sonoma Coast State Park beaches, dog-friendly lodging, and a loop through western Sonoma County.

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Dog-friendly breweries in California: your spring patio season guide

Spring patio season is here, and California has more than 350 dog-friendly breweries across the state. From Lagunitas in Petaluma to Firestone Walker in Paso Robles and Cool Beerwerks in Gold Country, here is where to start your paws-and-pints tour.

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Where to adopt a dog in the Bay Area

The Bay Area has dozens of rescue groups across San Francisco, the East Bay, South Bay, Peninsula, North Bay, and Wine Country. We round up the shelters, breed-specific rescues, and senior dog sanctuaries ready to match you with your next…

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Best dog-friendly hikes in the East Bay

The East Bay Regional Park District manages over 125,000 acres across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. From Point Isabel's off-leash shoreline to Mission Peak's steep summit climb, these are the regional parks every Bay Area dog should know.

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Dog-friendly Santa Barbara: guide to the American Riviera

Santa Barbara runs deep on dog-friendly options. From the off-leash sand at Arroyo Burro Beach to Douglas Family Preserve blufftops, Funk Zone wine tasting, and patio dining citywide, we map the best spots to bring your dog.

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Dog-friendly Big Sur: what’s allowed and what’s not

State parks ban dogs from Big Sur trails, but beaches on Los Padres National Forest land welcome leashed dogs. We map the off-limits parks, the beaches where dogs can run, and dog-friendly lodging across every budget.

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A dog’s spring bucket list for the SF Peninsula

Spring on the San Francisco Peninsula means Mori Point bluffs, Fitzgerald tide pools, Montara Mountain climbs, Half Moon Bay patios, Windy Hill wildflowers, and a Pescadero overnight at Costanoa. Six dog-friendly outings before the June fog rolls back in.

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Dog-friendly North County San Diego coast

North County San Diego's coast links Coronado, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Carlsbad by Highway 101 and Interstate 5. Expect off-leash beaches, resort and boutique lodging, walkable village districts, and a deep bench of dog-friendly patio dining.

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Dog-friendly Temecula wine country: wineries, restaurants, and hotels

Temecula Valley welcomes dogs across more than 30 wineries, 16 patio restaurants in Old Town, and 13 pet-friendly hotels and resorts. Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles, it is Southern California's most dog-friendly wine country weekend.

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Dog-friendly San Diego: the complete guide

San Diego offers one of California's deepest dog-friendly lineups: off-leash beaches at Ocean Beach and Fiesta Island, 60-plus pet-welcoming hotels, dozens of patio restaurants, and easy day trips to Coronado, Del Mar, and Temecula wine country.

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