Central Coast
Head out on The Original Road Trip and explore California’s Central Coast—350 miles of the world's most dramatic coastline. This incomparable region stretches from Santa Cruz County, south of the San Francisco Bay Area, to Ventura County just north of Los Angeles. Along the way, you'll pass through Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.
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Lodging specials from our Mendocino partners
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and our dog and human families at DogTrekker are so thankful to have such a supportive, engaging, and responsive group of dog parents to share our California dog-travel stories and insight throughout the year. Read more
Pets welcome here: Santa Cruz (video)
From towering redwood groves to the surf-friendly shores of Santa Cruz County, California, see what makes this quintessential beach town so pet-friendly with Pets Welcome Here! Read more
Pet-friendly adventures in Santa Cruz (video)
Tag along with Skyler the surfing dog as he sniffs out dog-friendly beaches, restaurants and hotels in Santa Cruz County. Read more
Mend your mind and thrill your dog in Mendocino County
Mendocino County isn’t just about that beautifully sculpted coast. The inland regions are also gorgeous in a green and hilly kind of way. Read more
Capital sipping experiences
Sacramento is not only the star on the map of California, it’s a fabulous base camp for exploring wineries in and within a short distance of town (check out our list of great dog-friendly places to stay). Read more
All aboard! Take a dog-friendly train ride to summer fun
Summer is a time for family vacations, and whether it’s a multi-day trip or day trip, not much can get children more excited or add to the memory bank than a train ride. Read more
Go coast crazy with your dog along Highway 1
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
Your home base for fun
Tucked conveniently close to towering redwoods and coastal adventures, Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley is a welcoming favorite among four-legged guests and the humans who follow. From here, it’s a short trip to the Roaring Camp Railroads, where you can ride the rails with your pooch. Or, head over to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and West Glenwood Open Space Preserve for paw-friendly hiking trails.
After a full day of activities in Scotts Valley, swing by 5030 Restaurant & Lounge for California small plates and pints brewed just down the road. Looking for other overnight options? Here are a few more of Santa Cruz County’s best dog-friendly hotels. 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
The best dog-friendly cabins and cottages for your summer and fall trips
Yikes, can it be mid-summer already? As California opens up from its pandemic slumber, road trips are all the rage and travelers are on the move with their pups. The top lodging choice for DogTrekkers this year are cabins and cottages. Here are stories that are some of our favorites.
Yosemite: Tehaya at Yosemite Explorer Cabins
Tomales Bay, Marshall, Point Reyes
Mendocino Coast: Little River Inn Cottages Read more
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Henry Cowell is a must. Locals and visitors alike love the beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Henry Cowell has it all. Read more