Three valleys and four small cities in the Tri-Valley (Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and Danville) comprise this triangle-shaped region set amid rolling hills and valleys 35 miles east of San Francisco. This is dog-friendly wine country for sure, and it’s also blessed with tens of thousands of acres of dog-friendly open space managed by the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD).
In addition to hikes, your pup can play while you supervise at five off-leash dog parks in Livermore, three in Pleasanton, one in Dublin and another in Danville. Dog-friendly hotels and restaurants abound in the Tri-Valley too. The region also boasts a Beer Trail, a Wine Trail and an Ice Cream Trail, each a collection of establishments, many of them dog-friendly, where you can indulge your passion for brew, vino or cold, tasty treats. And now there’s a new one: the Tri-Valley Caffeine Trail, a collection of cafes, coffeehouses and tea rooms, each with its own take on peps and perks.
But back to those magnificent open-space preserves. Among them: Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park near the town of Pleasanton is 5,271 acres in size and largely undeveloped. Take the rugged Ridgeline Trail for great views of the Sunol, Pleasanton and Livermore Valleys. Sycamore Valley Open Space outside Danville is another good DogTrekker choice; for a moderate, 2-mile hike, choose the Short Ridge Trail, which requires only about an hour of your time. Near the community of Dublin, 654-acre Dublin Hills Regional Park is bounded by Interstate 580 but otherwise affords views little changed since the 19th century. The 5-mile, out and back Calaveras Ridge Trail is a moderate hike that will deliver you and your dog to open grasslands. Bring your fishing pole along with your dog to Del Valle Regional Park where you can also rent a dog-friendly canoe or motorboat to tool around the lake (there’s a $2 entrance fee for dogs).
Good to know: At most parks in the EBRPD, your dog can accompany you off-leash in undeveloped areas. Download a Tri-Valley trail guide here.
