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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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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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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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? 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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Tails of Gray in Clayton rescues senior dogs from shelters and gives them medical care and love while they wait for new families. These gentle, calm companions are often overlooked, but they make wonderfully grateful additions to any home.
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Finding a dog-friendly restaurant patio in Greater Palm Springs is easy since nearly every spot welcomes four-legged guests. Top picks include Jake's, Spencer's under twinkling ficus trees, Pinzimini's canine menu and Cheeky's famous bacon flight brunch. When it comes to…
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DogCation winners Ashley and Chris took Diesel and Oliver to Nick's Cove on Tomales Bay, where their cabin overlooked the water and the staff treated their dogs like family. Day trips included Kehoe Beach and swimming at Millerton Point.
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The Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite runs through rugged Tuolumne County, where dog-friendly lodging, dining and hikes line the route. Stop in historic Coulterville at the Hotel Jeffery or take the scenic John Muir Highway through Gold Country.
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Mariposa County's Highway 140 corridor to Yosemite's west entrance offers dog-friendly wineries, charming cafes and a range of lodging from the rustic Yosemite Bug resort to riverside rooms at Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal.
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South Lake Tahoe has several dog-friendly beaches worth knowing about. Kiva Beach offers a long sandy stretch, Regan Memorial Beach allows off-leash play, and a hidden section of Nevada Beach is a locals' favorite for fetching sticks.
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Family Dog Rescue in San Francisco saves dogs of all sizes, breeds and backgrounds, carefully matching each one with the right forever family. They also run spay and neuter clinics in the Central Valley to reduce homeless populations.
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