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! 🐾🐕

Dog-friendly attractions on the Mendo Coast

Dog in the Mendocino Coast Botanical gardens

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Photo by Jessica Bay.

The Mendocino Coast is rich in natural attractions, from beaches and redwood forests to vast networks of trails where you and your pup can hike to your hearts' content. Read more.

Mendocino’s beautiful beaches

Paxton’s first outing to the beach in Mendocino. Read more.

Goldendoodles Wilber & Walter

Wilbur and Walter are both goldendoodles and both therapy dogs. We moved to the beach so they could run and play with others. We’ve had a great and wonderful life so far. Wilbur crossed over the rainbow bridge in July. Read more.

StayCations are my pup’s DogCations®

This California experience is in my backyard (haha). There is another pic attached of Huntley in Carmel. Backyard deck dogs left to right Peyton, Huntley, Sammie, Torrie and Finn. The 2nd picture is Huntley at Carmel beach Read more.

Harley the waterdog

I just lost Harley my yellow lab on January 5 at nine years young. She loved Dillon Beach, going to the snow and swimming anywhere she could find a body of water. Read more.

Borrow a Buddy at the Beachcomber Properties, Fort Bragg

Photo by Kamil Klyta.

The "Borrow a Buddy" program is a great partnership between the Beachcomber Motel, Surf & Sand Lodge and the Beach House Inn, all in Fort Bragg, and the Mendocino Coast Humane Society. Read more.

Leave No Dog Behind

Woman volunteer with homeless dog at shelter

One simple mission has always guided DogTrekker’s work: Leave no dog behind, whether you’re on vacation or at a shelter. Read more.

Linger Longer at a Patio Table With Your Pup

October on the coast can be chilly, so pack a jacket when choosing a dog-friendly patio for an al fresco meal. Toasty outdoor heaters add ambience, and most restaurants have them, so no worries there! For ocean-view dining, try the Crow's Nest, a beloved, 50-year-old classic on Santa Cruz Harbor. Read more... Read more.

Redwoods, Railroads, Beaches and More

If you don't live on the coast, you've gotta wanna get to a beach with your surf-crazy pup now and then. Start at Mitchell's Cove, it's the No. 1 dog beach in Santa Cruz. It's the first strand up the coast from the lighthouse on West Cliff Drive, where you can walk for miles with your leashed dog. More . . . You'll have to amble down a long stairway to get to the sand, but Read more.

Paws and Pillows

So… are you up for a splurge or on a pandemic budget? Santa Cruz lodgings on both ends of the spectrum are rigorously adhering to sanitation and safety protocols so both you and your four-legged buddy can rest assured. If boutique is your thing, the dog-friendly Hotel Paradox, with 170 "boldly designed" rooms is a solid choice. It's a short walk to downtown Santa Cr Read more.

Folsom: Gateway to Gold Country

Folsom isn’t only a convenient destination for Northern California visitors, it’s also diverse, offering many options for “socially distanced” outdoor recreation. Start by stepping out on a segment of the 32-mile American River Bike Trail, which runs from downtown Sacramento to downtown Folsom. The multi-use path hugs the river of the same name, offering endless opportuniti Read more.

Combat your dog’s boredom blues

black pug lays on bench with sad expression

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez.

We've experienced a pandemic, wildfire smoke affecting air quality, and hot days that make long dog walk impossible. As a result, many dog owners are faced with finding ways to keep their four-legged friend(s) happy while staying indoors. Unable to run off-leash at beaches or dog parks or meet up with friends on walks can be ruff for our furry friends who require social interaction to blow off ste Read more.

Every dog has its day in Fort Bragg

Photo by Beachcomber Motel.

The Beachcomber group of properties are a sure bet for visitors traveling to Fort Bragg with furry companions: The group includes three dog-friendly hotels. Read more.

Beaching it with your pup

Dog on Glass Beach, Fort Bragg.

It was once a dump where all kinds of glass object were trashed. After decades of rolling in the surf, Glass Beach, at the southern reach of MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, is roiling in pieces of smooth, colorful glass that are a delight to behold. Read more.

Unique outdoor adventures

Photo by Greater Palm Springs.

If you think the only outdoor activities in Greater Palm Springs for you and your dog can be found on hiking trails and at dog parks, we have a surprise for you. Read more.

Big dog-friendly opportunities at Big Bear

After a hike in Big Bear Lake. Photo by Tommy Lisbin.

Just as Lake Tahoe is a vacation magnet for NorCal residents, so Big Bear Lake, two hours from LA, is a major draw for South State residents. Sister ski areas Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Summit are family-friendly magnets for skiers and riders, but there are many snowy options for DogTrekkers, as well. Read more.

Put Paws on Pillows in San Diego

So…your pup is coming with you to San Diego and you need a pet-friendly place to stay, preferably one with quick exits to the outdoors for you-know-what. There’s no end of choices in San Diego, whether you prefer to stay in the historic Gaslamp Quarter or somewhere closer to the beach. Read more.

Just Beach It, Beach It, Beach It

Sun, sand and surf are what drew you to bring your pup to San Diego in the first place, right? Well, you certainly hit bingo. No pilgrimage-con-canine would be complete without a romp on Ocean Beach, aka Dog Beach, San Diego’s only 24-hour sandy strand where dogs are permitted to tear joyously around off-leash. Read more.

Pant, paddle, pedal with your pup

Dog and person on outrigger in Big River

Photo by Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too.

There’s something magical about the Big River estuary alongside the Stanford Inn, and something ingenious about the “canine cruiser” that transports two-and four-legged visitors downstream on an ultra-stable platform. Read more.

Clear your head at Clear Lake

North checks out Clear Lake at sunrise. Photo by Jennifer Waicukauski.

Clear Lake in Lake County is a big puddle of blue on the map about 75 miles north of Santa Rosa. For DogTrekkers, it and nearby Blue Lakes offer a diverse range of getaway options, from luxury resorts to funky cabins and many campgrounds. A natural freshwater body of water tucked into a hilly, forested landscape, Clear Lake is known to anglers as one of the best bass fisheries in the state. Read more.