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!
Award-winning California hotels that welcome four-legged guests
From Palm Springs resorts to Bay Area landmarks, California's best dog-friendly hotels earned major accolades in 2024. Here are award-winning properties that treat your pup like a VIP guest. California is home to some of the finest dog-friendly hotels in the country,.
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New for you: DogTrekker’s ulti-mutt spring event guide
Spring brings a packed calendar of dog-friendly events across California, from fun runs and beach festivals to wine tastings and costume parades. Many raise funds for animal welfare organizations, so you and your pup can play while making a positive impact.
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New dog-friendly hotels in California
From the Sheraton Redding and Kimpton Sawyer in Sacramento to boutique spots in West Hollywood and Huntington Beach, here is a statewide roundup of newly opened and recently renovated hotels that welcome dogs, listed from north to south.
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The best ultra dog-friendly hotels in Southern California
Southern California's best dog-friendly hotels go far beyond a simple pets-allowed policy. From Loews Coronado Bay's bayside paths to La Quinta Resort's 45 acres of gardens, these properties treat dogs like honored guests with dedicated amenities and genuine hospitality.
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Enter the DogTrekker California photo contest and capture stunning shots of your dog
DogTrekker's California Photo Contest invites you to photograph your dog at the state's most scenic spots. From Big Sur cliffs and Yosemite trails to San Francisco landmarks, here are top locations for stunning pup portraits. Are you a proud dog owner with.
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San Francisco: The ultimate dog-friendly destination
San Francisco is basically Disneyland for dogs. With a rich canine history, off-leash beaches, dog-friendly bars, and famous four-legged residents past and present, the city by the bay has earned its reputation as the ultimate dog town.
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A dog’s guide to autumn: 5 fall day trips in Northern California
Autumn in Northern California means cooler trails, colorful foliage and fewer crowds. These five dog-friendly day trips cover Apple Hill orchards, Gold Rush towns, ocean bluffs and redwood groves, each one perfect for a fall road trip with your pup.
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Unlocking the health benefits and energy boost of having dogs in your life
Owning a dog brings real health benefits, from lower blood pressure and better weight management to reduced stress and stronger social connections. Dog owners are four times more likely to meet weekly exercise goals.
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Mendocino County wineries warmly welcome dogs
Mendocino County's Anderson Valley is one of the most dog-friendly wine regions in California. Nearly a dozen Highway 128 wineries welcome pups with treats, water bowls, fenced play areas and resident winery dogs.
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Borrow a buddy at the Beachcomber Properties, Fort Bragg
The Borrow a Buddy program at Fort Bragg's Beachcomber Hotel Group lets guests without dogs spend time with adoptable pups from the Mendocino Coast Humane Society.
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Things to do with your dog in Santa Cruz County
Beyond the beaches, Santa Cruz County offers dog-friendly hiking at Byrne-Milliron Forest and Pogonip, steam train rides at Roaring Camp Railroads, and leashed strolls down boutique-lined Pacific Avenue. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park even allows dogs on select trails.
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A fine find in gold country
The South Yuba River in Nevada County is a gem for dog-friendly hiking. The Hoyt Trail leads to a historic river crossing with sandy beaches, emerald pools, and granite perches perfect for a cooling dip.
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Santa Cruz: As much about wine as beaches
Santa Cruz County is as much about wine as beaches. The Santa Cruz Mountains appellation is known for cool-climate pinot noir, and many dog-friendly tasting rooms dot the hills from Soquel to Davenport, including Poetic Cellars and Bonny Doon Vineyard.
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Cupid calls in Mendocino
Mendocino County's Sheep Dung Properties offer architecturally stunning cottages on fenced rural land perfect for a romantic getaway with your dog. Nearby, Howard Creek Ranch Inn and Andiron Seaside Inn provide coastal retreats with antique charm.
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17 miles of magnificence
The 17 miles of Highway 1 from Albion to Fort Bragg hold charming inns, bluff-top trails, and the artsy village of Mendocino. Dogs are welcome at coastal state beaches, the Point Cabrillo lighthouse, and the Stanford Inn.
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Napa valley leg-stretchers
After wine tasting in Napa Valley, burn off those calories with your dog at Canine Commons in Alston Park, where off-leash play awaits. Westwood Hills Park and the downtown River Walk offer more leashed options with vineyard and city views.
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Bike or hike to the beach
The Bob Jones Bike Trail in Avila Beach is a 2.5-mile paved path from Highway 101 to the ocean, passing apple orchards and a golf course. At trail's end, off-leash Olde Port Beach rewards you and your dog.
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The many sides of Mendocino county
Mendocino County is one of Northern California's most dog-welcoming destinations. Pet-friendly inns provide treats and amenities, wineries like Husch let dogs inside the tasting room, and activities range from Skunk Train rides to paddling outrigger kayaks along the coast.
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Waggin’ trails rescue foundation
Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation pulls about 50 dogs each month from overcrowded and underfunded California shelters, providing vet care and foster homes before transporting them to rescue partners where loving families are waiting to adopt.
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Beyond the crowds in Mendocino county
Mendocino County pairs leash-free beaches, dog-welcoming wineries, botanical gardens, and kayak outfitters with cozy lodging from the Stanford Inn to state park campgrounds. Ride the Skunk Train with your pup or paddle an estuary in a canoe built for dogs.
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A weekend for romance
Plan a romantic, dog-friendly Valentine's weekend along the California coast. Pacific Grove's Andril Fireplace Cottages, Bodega Bay's rugged shoreline, and Mendocino's Stanford Inn all offer fireplaces, ocean views, and warm welcomes for your four-legged companion.
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Have dog, will travel to Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County is a dog lover's playground. Walk the coastal path along West Cliff Drive, let your pup run off-leash at Mitchell's Cove Beach, hike through redwoods at Henry Cowell, or ride a steam train at Roaring Camp.
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Let’s go coasting: Pacifica to Carmel
Highway 1 between Pacifica and Carmel packs 122 miles of dog-friendly beaches, coastal trails, and charming towns. Walk the Devil's Slide Trail, lunch seaside in Santa Cruz, and let your pup run off-leash on Carmel Beach before exploring the village.
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Clearly clear lake
A road trip from Santa Rosa to Clear Lake makes for a great dog-friendly getaway. Stop to hike Hood Mountain, lunch on patios in Healdsburg, browse dog-welcoming wine bars, and float the Russian River before heading north to Lake County.
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