Lodging and Camping Blog

The DogTrekker.com research and editorial teams are experts at California dog travel, with great stories about the best lodging and camping places across the state to stay where your dogs are as welcome as you are. Get the scoop on dog-friendly hotels and lodging, from luxury resorts to economical motels, rustic cabins to campgrounds, vacation rentals to B&B’s.

Mendocino wines on your mind?

Mendocino County 11 wine appellations blaze with fall color in October. Drive the Highway 128 Wine Trail through Anderson Valley or head inland along the Hopland Wine Road, stopping at dog-friendly tasting rooms along the way.

Explore the Santa Clara Valley wine trail

The Santa Clara Valley, better known as Silicon Valley, is one of California oldest wine regions with 34 family-owned wineries near Gilroy. A Wine Trail pass lets you taste all year, and Kirigin Cellars even hosts AKC events.

Get a taste (and a sip) of the dog-friendly Delta

The Sacramento River Delta is just minutes from downtown and loaded with dog-friendly wineries, live music patios, and funky eateries. From Scribner Bend Vineyards to Husick's BBQ in Clarksburg, a taste of rural California awaits.

Silicon valley through a Dogtrekker lens

Silicon Valley hides a wine region in plain sight. The Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail links 34 family-owned wineries near Gilroy, many welcoming dogs. At Kirigin Cellars, bring a tennis ball for fetch between tastings.

Russian River runners

Float the Russian River in a dog-friendly SOAR canoe from Healdsburg, stopping to swim and play at sandy beaches along a leisurely nine-mile stretch. Afterward, the town's restaurants, brewpubs and dog-friendly tasting rooms are all within easy reach.

Sacramento’s dog-friendly outdoor dining scene

Sacramento farm-to-fork dining thrives on dog-friendly patios across the city. From Burgers and Brew to Bike Dog Brewing taproom and Tequila Museo Mayahuel fine Mexican fare, there is a patio seat waiting for you and your pup.

Dogs chill while you dine at The Ravens

At Stanford Inn's acclaimed vegan restaurant The Ravens in Mendocino, dogs can lounge by your side at lobby tables while you enjoy plant-based dishes made with ingredients from the on-site organic garden. Takeout lunches for the trail are available too.

Dog-friendly road trip: Highway 128, Mendocino County

Highway 128 winds 55 scenic miles through southern Mendocino County, passing Anderson Valley wineries where dogs are genuinely welcome. Navarro Vineyards offers treats and an exercise area for pups, while Husch and Toulouse pour tastings amid vineyard views.

Down a lazy river with rover

Russian River Adventures in Healdsburg outfits dog-friendly float trips using ultra-stable SOAR canoes on an 8.5-mile stretch of the Russian River. Pack a picnic, bring your pup and drift through swimming holes and sandy beaches all day long.

Wag tails for Oakland!

Oakland pairs urban pleasures like Jack London Square dining and ale and wine trails with easy access to open-space preserves full of redwoods and ridgeline views. Dog-friendly hotels, breweries, and seasonal events make it a tail-wagging destination.

Like art? Leash up and feast your eyes

Napa Valley's art scene pairs well with a dog walk. Stroll past sculptures on the Napa Art Walk, check out murals along the Vine Trail's Rail Arts District, then visit Castello di Amorosa or the photography gallery at Mumm Napa.

Rev up in Redding

Redding is your gateway to the Shasta Cascade region, starting with a stroll across the stunning Sundial Bridge and 19 miles of Sacramento River trails. Walk across Shasta Dam, enjoy dog-friendly patio dining, and stay at welcoming local hotels.

Paws for a Napa Valley overnight

Napa Valley's dog-friendly lodging runs from Motel 6 to five-star resorts like Bardessono and Calistoga Ranch. Downtown Napa's walkable B&Bs, boutique hotels on the river and secluded countryside retreats with leash-optional grounds give you plenty of choices.

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, Sacramento

The Kimpton Sawyer in downtown Sacramento welcomes pets of all sizes at no extra charge, with loaner beds, bowls and a nightly wine reception. Dog-friendly patios, Old Sacramento's riverfront and a 32-mile bike trail are all just steps away.

There are many ways to camp

Not a tent person? California glamping has you covered, from safari-style canvas tents at Inn Town Campground in Nevada City to Airstreams at AutoCamp near Yosemite, the Russian River, and Santa Barbara. Many welcome dogs.

There’s always something dog-centric going on in Oakland

Oakland's Jack London Square is a dog-friendly hub of shops, restaurants, and events on the waterfront. Add in a packed calendar of dog-centric happenings, from Bark at the Park with the A's to adoption fairs and street festivals.

Go boho on the Bohemian Highway

The 10-mile Bohemian Highway in Sonoma County winds through artist-filled communities, organic farms, and one-of-a-kind shops. Stay at the Creekside Inn in Guerneville, explore funky Occidental, stock up on sourdough in Freestone, and finish with coastal views at Goat Rock.