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Glamp it up with your four-legged friend

Glamp it up with your four-legged friend

Glamping lets you camp in style with your dog. From safari tents in Gold Country and Mendocino to retro Airstream parks in Santa Barbara and the desert, these spots offer comfy beds, real linens and outdoor adventure without the gear.

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Leash up for a fall trip to Mendocino

Leash up for a fall trip to Mendocino

Mendocino County in fall means warm days, quiet trails and your pick of dog-friendly lodgings. From blufftop cottages and lighthouse vacation rentals to secluded Anderson Valley hideaways, the options are as varied as the scenery.

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Balancing your dog’s diet

Balancing your dog’s diet

Helping your dog lose weight starts with cutting treats and adding low-calorie fillers like pumpkin. A veterinarian explains how to set realistic goals, swap in healthier snacks and track progress with monthly weigh-ins at the vet.

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Houseboating nuts and bolts

Houseboating nuts and bolts

Houseboating with your dog is easier than you might think. Rental policies vary, so ask ahead about pet rules. September offers the best combo of good weather and lower rates, and most nights you'll tie up to shore.

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Rattlesnake 101 for you and your dog

Rattlesnake 101 for you and your dog

Rattlesnakes are California's only native venomous snake, and encounters peak in spring and summer. A veterinarian covers prevention tips, bite symptoms to watch for and what to do if your dog is struck while out on the trail.

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Get your Buttes in gear

Get your Buttes in gear

The Lakes Basin Recreation Area in Plumas and Sierra counties is a high-country paradise with dozens of alpine lakes and miles of dog-friendly trails. The Sierra Buttes Lookout hike ranks among the best day treks in the state.

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A Mammoth adventure!

A Mammoth adventure!

Reader Stacy D. and her pup Ginger share their Mammoth Lakes adventure, including stops at Bodie State Park, Mono Lake, Convict Lake and Rock Creek Lake. They based their trip at the cozy, dog-friendly Edelweiss Lodge.

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Tahoe under paws: Lake Tahoe dog beaches

Tahoe under paws: Lake Tahoe dog beaches

Lake Tahoe has several dog beaches, but off-leash spots are rare. A locals' favorite is the sandy strand at Nevada Beach, where dogs fetch sticks from crystalline water. Other options include Coon Street Dog Beach and Patton Beach.

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Off-leash beaches for chasing waves

Off-leash beaches for chasing waves

California's 840-mile coastline has some wonderful off-leash beaches for dogs who love chasing waves. From Mendocino's Seaside Beach to Carmel's famous strand, Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur and Coronado Dog Beach in San Diego, here are top picks by region.

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Have dog, will travel to Santa Cruz

Have dog, will travel to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz County is a dog lover's playground. Walk the coastal path along West Cliff Drive, let your pup run off-leash at Mitchell's Cove Beach, hike through redwoods at Henry Cowell, or ride a steam train at Roaring Camp.

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Top paw-tested campgrounds

Top paw-tested campgrounds

From MacKerricher State Park on the Mendocino coast to Pfeiffer Big Sur in the redwoods and Pismo State Beach on the Central Coast, these paw-tested California campgrounds keep dogs and their people coming back year after year.

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No tent or rv? no problem…

No tent or rv? no problem…

No tent? No problem. From dog-friendly KOA cabins near Petaluma and Watsonville to Casini Ranch on the Russian River, these soft-camping options let you and your pup enjoy the outdoors without a full gear kit.

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