Find California dog-friendly beaches, rivers and lakes blog stories.

DogTrekker dogs LOVE going to the beach! Check out our stories about dog-friendly beaches, rivers and lakes in California. We also have tips and tricks for staying safe while enjoying the salty air and surf! So go ahead, plan that trip – your pup will thank you! Happy trekking! 🐾🐕

Waggin’ Trails Rescue Foundation

Location, location, location. If you're a shelter dog, it can make the difference between life and death. Especially in overcrowded, underfunded shelters in remote areas, conditions are often poor (like no protection from the elements) and your prospects of getting out safely even worse, because would-be adopters never go there. Enter Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation and its volunteers de Read more.

Rules and Regs Regarding Rover

Camp life can be very exciting for a dog, so long as she doesn’t eat too many marshmallows. Dogs are welcome at 90 percent of California campgrounds—it’s the rare one indeed that doesn’t allow pooches. But before you put your credit card down, you’ll want to find out where, outside of developed campsites, Daisy is allowed to accompany you. Read more.

Running the Russian River with Rover

Russian River Adventures has kicked off its 2016 season of dog-friendly float trips out of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. With plenty of water this year to navigate the secluded, 9-mile stretch from town to Wohler Bridge, the entire family can enjoy the Russian River with your pup serving as first mate. Read more.

Inland Bounty in Monterey County

Anyone who’s visited Monterey County with a dog knows about that glorious off-leash beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea. But that's not the only place you can unclip Spot and Sassy and let them run free so long as they stay within sight and under voice control. Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley has miles of trails to roam, a river and tributary creek with swimming holes to splash in, a Read more.

A fine find in Gold Country

Photo by Jessica Bay.

The Sierra Nevada foothills, with their quaint, Gold Rush-era towns and growing portfolio of wineries, are a joy to explore with a four-legged companion. Read more.

Impact: Marin County

The most troubling impacts of the ill-conceived Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s dog management plan will be felt in Marin County, where historic access to trails and beaches will be drastically reduced or cut off completely for thousands of pet owners. Residents of several communities in Marin will no longer be able to walk their dogs on trails in their own neighborhoods and will ins Read more.

Fetching Fun Along the Coast

Matilda at Pismo Beach, CA. Photo Credit: Steve Fargie Steve F. sent in this fantastic action shot of Matilda the mini Aussie making a great catch while enjoying a game of fetch along the coast of Pismo Beach. Read more.

Impact: San Francisco County

If the National Park Service’s proposed dog rule goes through, it will constitute the largest single reduction in recreational access for people in the history of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Read more.

Join the Mighty Mutt March!

Join dog and recreation lovers from throughout the Bay Area on April 23 for a march and rally to save dog walking in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. At this 11th hour, we need to show up in force to protect our access to the places we love: Crissy Field, Fort Funston, Marin Headlands, Rancho Corral de Tierra, Ocean Beach, Muir Beach and others. Read more.

Diesel & Oliver’s seaside adventure

Diesel and Oliver's Seaside Adventure featuring two dogs sitting on a dock.

Diesel and Oliver's parents, Ashley and Chris P. were the lucky winners of our Nick's Cove 2015 DogCation. The whole family got to enjoy a wonderful seaside adventure along Tomales Bay. Read more.

Madera County (South/Wawona) Entrance

The town Oakhurst in Madera County is the main gateway to Yosemite’s south (Wawona) entrance on the Highway 41 corridor winding through the Sierra Nevada foothills from Fresno. A great stop in Oakhurst is Queen’s Inn by the River, a dog-friendly establishment boasting an adjacent winery, the Idle Hour, and a beer garden where, Wednesdays through Sundays, almost 100 wines and craft beer Read more.

Beach bliss at South Lake Tahoe

A couple of dogs standing on a sandy beach at Lake Tahoe dog beach.

Looking to spend some quality beach time with your four-legged pal at Lake Tahoe's South Shore? We've scouted out the spots where Sparky is welcome to romp in the sand and dip his paws in the Big Blue. Read more.

In Search of Forever Homes

Part of DogTrekker’s “4-Paw Promise” is a commitment to animal welfare organizations in the communities we serve. This includes providing descriptions and contact information for almost 300 adoption, shelter and rescue organizations throughout the state, as well as profile stories highlighting a specific organization and adoptable dog in each issue of our newsletter. Read more.

Winter Coasting

Dixie and Lili at Limantour Beach. Photo Credit: Chelsie Lesinski Something about salt air is both invigorating and intoxicating, especially to those who don’t visit the coast very often. Hibernate in a waterfront cabin at Nick’s Cove on Tomales Bay, and you may only emerge to go for a walk or pause at a patio restaurant table to fill up on an order of oysters with a side of crab Read more.

Run and Play

Dogs on Carmel Beach. Photo Credit: Jen For probably nine out of 10 DogTrekkers, the No. 1 attraction in Carmel is mile-long, leash-free, powder-white Carmel Beach, where you and yours can run, play and splash to your hearts’ content right below the ninth hole of the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links. Read more.

Kayla at the Little River Inn

Kayla at the Little River Inn Kayla loves the Little River Inn for so many reasons. The staff is always so welcoming, she can take a short path from the property to play and swim at the Van Damme State Park beach, she can dine with her best friends in the Little River Inn Restaurant's 'Parlor', she can get up on the comfortable beds using the protective sheets that are provided and so Read more.

Paw-Tested: Rip Van Winkle Open Space

Photo Credit: Anu S. Anu S. wrote in to tell us about her wonderful experience with her dogs at Rip Van Winkle Open Space, a small open space dog area bordering Pebble Beach in Monterey County: Read more.

It Takes A (Dog-Friendly) Village

Rio at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse station. Photo by Sueanne.

Enjoying Point Cabrillo Light Station. Photo Credit: Anne Cassia Just north of Little River, picturesque Mendocino village, with its wealth of lacy Victorians and colorful saltbox cottages, has more places than you can shake a tennis ball at to enjoy with your four-legged friend. Read more.

Pet Expo LA: All About Animals to Love

Leave it to Los Angeles to do everything in a big way. That’s what’s promised at Winter Wonderland Pet Expo, Dec. 12-13 at the LA Convention Center. The event's dozens of exhibitors include rescue groups sponsoring mega-adopathons, plus vendors showcasing the latest and greatest pet products. Read more.

San Diego’s Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade

Photo courtesy: Gaslamp Quarter Bring your own best friend or get a grin out of others unleashing their creativity in a Dec. 13 pet parade through the streets of San Diego’s picturesque Gaslamp district. Read more.