Go coast crazy with your dog along Highway 1

Maya chasing the sun at Pismo Beach, SLO. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

California’s Central Coast starts in dog-friendly Santa Cruz County and winds some 350 miles south to Ventura County, just north of L.A.  Read more.

Become a water dog in Mendo County

Ah, Mendocino! This Northern California county’s beautiful stretch of coastline is a perfect place to retreat to in summertime, especially when the Central Valley is a bit warmer (don’t forget a sweatshirt—you may need it). And you can’t choose a more beguiling place to stay than super dog-friendly Little River Resort & Spa, perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. A  Read more.

Where to stay with your pup in Mendocino County

Mendocino County may be within a day-trip drive of most of the Bay Area, but we encourage you to snuggle up with your pup at one of our dog-passionate lodging partners.  Read more.

Special adventures for furry friends in Mendocino

Water dog at the Little River Inn. Photo by Brendan McGuigan.

Mendocino County has so many dog-friendly activities that you might want to stay a few extra days. The Skunk Train is a northern California classic that departs from depots in coastal Fort Bragg and inland Willits  Read more.

Fetch special rates for fall camp by Wild Blue Dogs!

Dreaming of Lake Tahoe's mountain landscapes, fresh air and hiking adventures? Interested in private beach access, plus a full week of fun and education for you and your pups? You can still catch the early-bird rates for the Wild Blue Dogs Fall Camp, taking place September 18-24, 2022.  Read more.

Surf & Sand Lodge, a soundtrack of crashing waves

The Beachcomber’s neighbor, Surf & Sand Lodge, promises laid-back luxury set to a soundtrack of crashing waves. The property offers accommodations with fireplaces, private balconies, Pacific views and plenty of room to stretch your legs. Like all Beachcomber Hotel Group properties, Surf & Sand Lodge has earned the California Hotel & Lodging Association’s Clean + Safe certi  Read more.

Beach House Inn, tranquility with a view

Half a mile south, on the pretty Pudding Creek Estuary, Beach House Inn places you a stone’s throw from local beaches and charming downtown Fort Bragg.  Read more.

The Beachcomber Motel, a true blufftop gem

Tucked above Pudding Creek Beach on a scenic stretch of California’s North Coast, the Beachcomber Motel is a true blufftop gem.  Read more.

Other historical points of interest

Stop by the Felton Covered Bridge Park and marvel at a California State Historical Landmark. Built in 1892, the Felton Covered Bridge is one of the few covered bridges remaining in the state. There is a nearby playground and a wide grassy expanse with a walking path perfect for pets. This location is less than half a mile from Roaring Camp Railroads, so it could be a great addi  Read more.

Hike to the lime kilns at Pogonip

Hit the trails of Pogonip with the pup to see the historic ruins of the lime kilns. It wasn’t just redwood logs that helped to build burgeoning Bay Area cities during the 19th century, it was also lime. Follow the Lime Kiln Trail into a redwood forest, and you’ll discover massive stone furnaces that processed the lime. Your pup may not be as interested in the historical treas  Read more.

All aboard a historic train through the redwoods

Roaring Camp Railroads. Photo by Visit Santa Cruz.

See California’s towering redwoods from an authentic 19th-century steam train through the Big Trees to the summit of Bear Mountain at Roaring Camp Railroads. Well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard and will love to put their nose to the sky as they take in the smells of the redwoods. And for the active pups that want to get some miles in, there are plenty of trails and grounds to explore!  Read more.

Putting paws to paths around Concord

Briones Regional Park, Contra Costa County, California, USA.

Get tails a’waggin’ on trails at one of the East Bay Regional Parks District preserves serving Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The 73 preserves include between them 125,000 acres of open space and 1,250 miles of trails. Yes, that’s a lot! Start, perhaps, by exploring Lime Ridge Open Space, held jointly by Concord and Walnut Creek. Its 1,200 acres are criss-crossed by 25 miles   Read more.

Fall for these dog-friendly waterfalls

Yes, we had a dry January, but the big storms in late December filled lakes and streams and created a hefty Sierra snowpack. The payoff: Waterfall season! Here are some late winter/early spring hikes with watery rewards at the end. Yosemite Gushers Moving Water in Marin Don’t Pass on Pasadena With Your Dog Santa Barbara’s Waterfall Surprise   Read more.

Don’t pass on Pasadena with your dog

If you can just get off of those L.A. freeways (and you can!) a great place to gulp some fresh air and take in some flowy eye candy is Eaton Canyon Falls just outside Pasadena.  Read more.

Santa Barbara’s waterfall surprise

How good are you and your dog at rock-hopping and scrambling? You’ll need to put those skills to work on the popular 7 Falls Trail in the Los Padres National Forest outside Santa Barbara. It’s best just after a rain, when the falls are gushing. The 3.2-mile out-and-back is accessible and dog-friendly year-round. Parking at the trailhead is limited and strict, so stay behind the white l  Read more.

Moving water in Marin

It’s not the easiest waterfall hike in Marin County, but Cataract Falls, on the north flank of Mount Tamalpais, is easily the Bay Area’s most popular waterfall destination. It roars and gets really big after a spring rain, spouting nine silvery cascades, some 50 and more feet high, plunging down the Cataract Creek streambed. The surrounding forest, with its moss-covered rocks, ferns, t  Read more.

And SNO it goes

Free parking can be hard to find when you’re looking for a place to romp ‘n’ roll in the snow with your pup. And while California’s 19 Sno-Parks aren’t quite free, they’re a bargain at $5 for a daily permit or $25 for a season pass. The program, operated by California State Parks in conjunction with other agencies, provides access to plowed parking areas in the snow zone where you can   Read more.

Paddle with your pup in Mendocino County

Photo by Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too.

Coastal Mendocino County is stitched to rivers and ocean, but visitors aren’t restricted to just looking at the water. It’s also possible to get out on it—with your dog.  Read more.

Room to roam in Mendocino

Lace up your hiking boots, load your pup into the car and get a grip on your leash: you’ll need it when you see how excited she’ll become upon encountering a multitude of new sights and smells in dog-friendly Mendocino County. The weather is near-perfect both along the coast, as well as inland. Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks and as always, Leave Only Paw Prints™.  Read more.

Tail-waggin’ fun in Folsom and surrounding areas

Just up Highway 50 from Sacramento, the city of Folsom is a superb dog-friendly destination with a handsomely renovated Old Town just a block or two from the Sacramento River. Cuddle up in dog-friendly lodging and spend a weekend exploring with your four-legged friend.  Read more.