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.
What’s that puddle?
Urinary incontinence is common in middle-aged spayed female dogs and can progress from a few drops to large puddles. While Western medications help, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine offer effective alternatives without the side effects.
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Dogs love Downieville
Downieville is a quiet Gold Rush town on the North Yuba River where dog-friendly cabins put you steps from fishing, hiking, and mountain biking in the Sierra Buttes. Spring is the sweet spot, before summer crowds arrive.
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Nip into Napa
Winter in Napa Valley means mustard-covered vineyards, easy restaurant reservations, and hotel deals that make a midweek getaway with your dog especially appealing. From cozy Calistoga cottages to luxury retreats with private patios, the valley rolls out the welcome mat.
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Win a dog-friendly getaway at Surf & Sand Lodge
The Surf and Sand Lodge in Fort Bragg sits front row on the Mendocino coastline, with miles of beaches, dunes, and trails right outside the door. Dog-friendly rooms come with a pet welcome package and ocean views.
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Romantic retreats worth woofing about
February calls for a romantic alpine getaway for three. Lake Tahoe offers dog-friendly luxury at the Ritz-Carlton Northstar with plush dog beds and Yappy Hours, cozy rustic charm at Fireside Lodge, and stunning cabin retreats in Mammoth Lakes and nearby…
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Views galore in Santa Clara County
Mount Madonna County Park near Gilroy packs ocean views, redwood forests, and 14 miles of dog-friendly trails into one Santa Cruz Mountains preserve. Spring wildflowers make it especially beautiful, and nearby Kirigin Cellars offers off-leash wine tasting grounds.
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Camp Layman, a doggie delight in the High Sierra
Camp Layman near Graeagle offers rustic 1920s cabins just a short walk from swimming and fishing in the Feather River. Dogs get their own blankets, and the quiet Sierra setting is perfect for hiking and trail sniffing.
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Death Valley National Park
Death Valley in winter offers mild temperatures and over 700 miles of backcountry roads where leashed dogs are welcome. Stay at dog-friendly Stovepipe Wells Village and take in salt flats, mountain vistas, and geologic wonders on scenic driving routes.
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Trekking in Temecula
Temecula's high-desert wine country welcomes dogs to over a dozen tasting rooms, patio restaurants with doggie menus, and a strollable Old Town district. Stay at a golf resort or vineyard inn and explore local parks.
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Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego
Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego welcome dogs in campgrounds and along hundreds of miles of dirt roads, even though trails are off-limits. Dog-friendly lodging surrounds both parks, and winter through early spring brings ideal weather and spectacular desert wildflowers.
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So nice at San Anselmo’s Sorich Park
San Anselmo's Sorich Ranch Open Space is a Marin County gem with wide-open trails where dogs can roam off-leash. A moderate incline leads to views high above town, and the diverse mix of dogs and hikers makes every visit social.
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Wag Hotels: Resort-style pet boarding in the Bay Area
When you can't bring your dog along, Wag Hotels offers resort-style boarding in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Redwood City. Services range from supervised daycare and swimming pool dips to Ultra Suites where you can video-call your pet from afar.
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Pacified in Pacifica
Pacifica offers six miles of coastline just over the hills from San Francisco, with leash-free beach romps, a spectacular hike to Mori Point, and thousands of acres of public parkland.
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Pet-passionate Stanford Inn
The Stanford Inn By the Sea in Mendocino has welcomed pets for decades, greeting dogs with treats and food bowls. Next door, Catch-A-Canoe rents outrigger canoes where up to four dogs can ride while you paddle Big River.
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Mendocino’s inland charms
Inland Mendocino County holds surprises like the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree in Leggett, dog-friendly trails around Lake Mendocino near Ukiah, and a string of small family wineries between Ukiah and Hopland where tasting is often free and dogs are always welcome.
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Take a bragg-adocious break
Fort Bragg packs a lot of dog-friendly fun into a small coastal town. Roam leash-free beaches, hike the Ten Mile Beach Trail to MacKerricher State Park, and ride the historic Skunk Train through redwood forests.
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17 miles of magnificence
The 17 miles of Highway 1 from Albion to Fort Bragg hold charming inns, bluff-top trails, and the artsy village of Mendocino. Dogs are welcome at coastal state beaches, the Point Cabrillo lighthouse, and the Stanford Inn.
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Over hill and dale in El Dorado County
El Dorado County's Apple Hill region is more than orchards and pie. Seven dog-friendly wineries and a brewery line the Wine Trail, with tasting rooms that welcome pups and shaded picnic areas overlooking the rolling hills near the American River…
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