Big Bear Lake | DogTrekker

The advantages of a plant-based diet for your dog

Could a plant-based diet help your dog? One 14-year-old Chow-Lab mix saw dramatic improvements in mobility and kidney function after switching to whole grains, vegetables and tofu. A holistic veterinarian explains why some dogs thrive without meat.

There’s always something dog-centric going on in Oakland

Oakland's Jack London Square is a dog-friendly hub of shops, restaurants, and events on the waterfront. Add in a packed calendar of dog-centric happenings, from Bark at the Park with the A's to adoption fairs and street festivals.

Paws for a Napa Valley overnight

Napa Valley's dog-friendly lodging runs from Motel 6 to five-star resorts like Bardessono and Calistoga Ranch. Downtown Napa's walkable B&Bs, boutique hotels on the river and secluded countryside retreats with leash-optional grounds give you plenty of choices.

The Grateful Table

More than 500 people gathered at a Domaine Chandon vineyard for The Grateful Table, an open-air feast raising funds for Napa and Sonoma wildfire relief. Celebrity chef Tyler Florence hosted the benefit, which supported disaster recovery across Wine Country.

Paws for a good read

From heartwarming memoirs to playful picture books, this curated reading list from the Stanford Inn by the Sea features great titles for dog lovers. Picks include Finding Gobi, William Wegman's Being Human, and the whimsical Find Momo series.

Sip and stroll in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County offers dog-friendly wine tasting from the Danish village of Solvang to the Urban Wine Trail downtown. Let your pup run free at Arroyo Burro Beach and sip local Rhone varietals at pet-welcoming tasting rooms.

Tails wag on Big Sur Coast

A drive along the Big Sur coast with your dog means breathtaking ocean views, purple-sand beaches, and walks through towering redwoods. Dog-friendly stops include Sand Dollar Beach, Pfeiffer Beach, and several state park campgrounds with cabins for overnight stays.

Take time to coast

Mendocino County's vast public lands offer everything from off-leash coastal walks at Stornetta Public Lands to beach romps at Noyo Beach in Fort Bragg. The historic Point Arena Lighthouse even has pet-friendly vacation rentals right on the grounds.

Dogcation adventures at the Stanford Inn and beyond

DogCation contest winner Jolene shares her Mendocino County adventure with two pups at the Stanford Inn by the Sea. Highlights included canoeing up the Big River, riding the Skunk Train from Willits, and spending days on Fort Bragg's off-leash beaches.

Redwoods, rivers, Rover and you

Beyond the Russian River, Sonoma County's northern coast around Gualala offers whale watching, redwood groves, and sandy beaches for a peaceful dog-friendly getaway. Stay at the Whale Watch Inn, hike the Bluff Trail, and explore Gualala Point Regional Park.

Make time for wine in Lake County

Lake County's fast-growing wine region offers laid-back, dog-friendly tasting with more than two dozen wineries to visit. Sample standout sauvignon blancs and bold reds at spots like Six Sigma Ranch, Thorn Hill Vineyards, and historic Langtry Farms.

Carneros, here we come

Carneros, the wine region spanning southern Napa and Sonoma counties, is the closest wine country to the Bay Area. Dog-friendly tasting rooms at Cuvaison, Starmont, Cline Cellars, and Cornerstone Sonoma make for a great outing.