Beaches Blog
Here are our favorite stories about the best dog-friendly beaches in California! Whether you’re a local or visiting from afar, we’ve got you covered with the most paw-some spots for your furry friends to enjoy some sand and surf. Check out our list below and get ready for some tail-wagging adventures!
DogTrekker’s official spring/summer event guide is live!
DogTrekker's spring and summer 2025 event guide highlights pup-friendly fundraisers across California. From Pasadena Humane's Wiggle Waggle Walk to the Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash and Woofstock Chico, your participation supports rescue efforts that change animal lives.
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DogTrekker’s official spring/summer event guide is live!
DogTrekker's spring and summer 2025 event guide spotlights pup-friendly fundraisers supporting California animal welfare groups. Join walks, costume contests and festivals from Pasadena to Sacramento to Chico, and help fund rescue efforts and medical care that save lives.
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Ruffin’ it in snowy Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe rolls out the red carpet for dogs in winter, with plowed walking trails, cross-country ski centers that welcome pups, pet-friendly hotels and restaurants, and wide-open wilderness to explore together.
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You’ll fall for this season’s dog-friendly events
From adoptathons and wine festivals to corgi getaways and fundraiser galas, these fall dog-friendly events across California promise food, fun and heartwarming moments for pups and the people who love them.
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Dog-friendly lakes not named “Tahoe”
Skip the Tahoe crowds and explore California's quieter dog-friendly lakes instead. From Clear Lake in Lake County to Big Bear, Shasta Lake and more, these alternatives offer great swimming, boating and shoreline fun with your pup.
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Dog-friendly Lake Tahoe: Why your dog will thank you
Lake Tahoe is a dream for dogs and their people, with pristine beaches, mountain trails and pet-friendly lodging from South Lake to quieter spots like Tahoma. Here's how to plan the perfect Tahoe trip with your pup.
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Welcome to spring – and the 2024 event season!
Spring kicks off a packed calendar of dog-friendly events across California, from the Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash to adoption fundraisers, costume contests, and tasting tours. Here are our top picks through mid-summer.
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Lake Tahoe is a winter wonderland
Lake Tahoe in winter means cross-country skiing, lakeside walks, and cozy fireplaces shared with your dog. Dog-friendly lodges like the Beach Retreat, Fireside Lodge, and Desolation Hotel make South Shore an ideal cold-weather escape.
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Ten of our favorite dog-friendly hotels and resorts in California
From rooftop dog runs in San Francisco to waterfront cottages on Tomales Bay, these ten California hotels truly welcome four-legged guests. Expect welcome kits, dedicated dog menus, private dog parks and staff who treat your pup like a VIP.
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California dreamin’ with your dog: Top eleven favorite pet-friendly vacation destinations
California is packed with dog-friendly vacation spots, from Marin County's beaches and hiking trails just across the Golden Gate Bridge to Santa Cruz's surf-friendly shores. Here are some of the best pet-welcoming destinations across the Golden State. California is a top destination.
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Favorite California campgrounds for dog lovers
From Woods Lake Campground near Carson Pass to Nevada Beach on Lake Tahoe's shore, California has paw-tested campgrounds worth returning to year after year. Pfeiffer Big Sur offers magical redwood settings, while Bothe-Napa Valley puts you minutes from wine country.
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Cooper loved to travel
Cooper the Lab mix lived ten adventure-packed years as an avid DogTrekker, from winery visits in Sonoma to Shirley Canyon hikes at Palisades Tahoe. His owner Niki shares how DogTrekker shaped their travels together.
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Lake Tahoe fall fun
Fall in Tahoe means golden aspens, glassy lake mornings and thinning crowds. Base yourself in Truckee for the best leaf color and trail access before the short window of peak color fades.
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Happy New Year from DogTrekker!
DogTrekker kicks off 2026 with a look ahead at the coastal walks, mountain trails and welcoming patios waiting for you and your dog across California.
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Dog-friendly wineries: Just a click away
DogTrekker.com highlights the best dog-friendly wine regions across California, from Mendocino and Sonoma to Napa, Gold Country, and the Central Coast, with an interactive map to help you plan your next tasting adventure with your pup.
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DogTrekker® 15th anniversary
DogTrekker.com celebrates 15 years of helping California dog lovers travel together, supporting animal welfare groups and inspiring millions of readers since launching in June 2011. DogTrekker.com launched 15 years ago, guided by a mission to leave no dog behind -- whether at.
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Hop on, paws up: JSX makes dog travel easy for California adventurers
JSX lets dogs fly in the cabin on 30-seat jets with no security lines and no cargo holds. Pups up to 79 pounds ride beside you on routes connecting Burbank, Oakland, Napa and other California cities, making weekend getaways stress-free.
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Paw-some events for the dog days of summer
Pup-friendly festivals are popping up across California this summer and fall. From Puptopia in Big Bear to Bark & Meow in Berkeley and winery fundraisers in Napa, these events bring dog lovers together while supporting rescue and animal welfare groups.
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Wandering El Dorado County
El Dorado County offers everything from Echo Lake hikes along the Pacific Crest Trail to five sparkling lakes in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area. With over 700 dog-friendly campsites and trails into Desolation Wilderness, summer adventures abound.
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California glamping your dog will dig
From coastal safari tents and redwood Airstreams to vineyard cabins and desert retreats, California's dog-friendly glamping scene offers the best of outdoor adventure without sacrificing creature comforts. Pack the treats and let the tail-wagging begin.
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Linger longer at a patio table with your pup
Santa Cruz serves up dog-friendly patio dining with ocean views and cozy outdoor heaters. Try the Crow's Nest Beach Market on the harbor, grab a Spicy Cowboy at colorful Snap Taco downtown, or find your own favorite along the coast.
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Gotta lake it
Gold Country lakes offer cool relief for dogs and their people all summer long. From Folsom Lake's miles of shoreline to hidden Long Lake near Soda Springs and Bass Lake's pontoon boat rentals, there's a splash spot for every pup.
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California’s new dog-friendly rules will blow your mind
California's dog-friendly travel scene expanded dramatically in 2025, with new CDC travel regulations, luxury hotel pet packages in Napa and San Diego, expanded airport relief areas, and tech tools that simplify planning trips with your pup. California's reputation as a top destination.
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5 little-known travel hacks for dog-friendly California adventures
Five insider tips for smoother California road trips with your dog, including pet-friendly rest stops with fenced play areas, hidden beaches away from crowds, no-fee hotel chains, dog-welcome ferries and trains, and local visitor centers with canine-specific recommendations.
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