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.

Stanford Inn boasts nine EV chargers. Photo byStanford Inn.

Stanford Inn: #1 for the environment

The Stanford Inn on the Mendocino coast has championed sustainability since the 1980s with organic gardens, plant-based cuisine, biodiesel vehicles and free EV charging. It proves that eco-friendly travel can also be luxurious.

Young people toasting red wine on dinner party mood - Multiracia

Sample fresh flavors in Sacramento

Sacramento, America's Farm-to-Fork Capital, is a standout dog-friendly destination with miles of trails, dozens of parks and patio restaurants serving field-fresh cuisine. Nearby Apple Hill wineries welcome pups too.

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California hotels that don’t just tolerate dogs—they adore them

From Cypress Inn's Yappy Hours in Carmel to canine massages at Nick's Cove in Marin, these California hotels genuinely love dogs. Expect welcome treats, dedicated pet menus, adventure packages and luxury bedding designed for four-legged guests.

Dog at Rendevous Mendocino. Photo by @pnw_captain_jack.

Paws-itively welcoming hotel properties

Mendocino County's coastal hotels go above and beyond for dogs. From Rendezvous Mendocino's peaceful B&B setting to the Stanford Inn's dog-friendly canoe rentals and the Little River Inn's fireside cottages, these properties make four-legged guests feel right at home.

Unleash the fun at Muir Beach

Muir Beach is a dog-friendly Marin County cove just 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Pups can play off-leash or under voice control on the beach, and nearby hotels in Mill Valley and Sausalito welcome pets.

Tasty treats for hungry travelers

Mendocino County's dining scene welcomes dogs with open arms. The Little River Inn is debuting cozy Pup Cabanas, James Beard-nominee Scott Baird runs a beloved burger stand in Philo, and the Stanford Inn serves plant-based meals at pup-friendly lobby tables.

Condé Nast and Sunset agree on Healdsburg

Both Conde Nast Traveler and Sunset named Healdsburg a top wine destination in 2024. This Sonoma County town offers dog-friendly tasting rooms, fenced parks, pet boutiques and hotels that roll out the red carpet for pups.

Culinary gems for people and pups

HarborView Bistro at Noyo Harbor Inn has added an impressive whiskey menu, a cigar lounge and a winemaker dinner series. These dog-friendly culinary events pair great food and drink with Mendocino Coast views and gracious hospitality.

Eight dog‑friendly stays between Mendocino and the Oregon border

Eight small lodges between Mendocino and the Oregon border treat dogs like honored guests. From Little River Inn's cliff-top rooms to Requa Inn's salmon scraps at breakfast, each property sits near trails through ancient redwood groves.

Planning a pet getaway? Airlines just changed the rules

Airlines have tightened pet travel rules, limiting cabin spots, ending emotional support animal policies and enforcing stricter crate requirements. California dog owners need to book early, prepare paperwork and plan ahead for smooth flights.

Dog sitting on a scenic coastal cliff, enjoying panoramic ocean views, perfect for outdoor dog trekking adventures and pet-friendly travel enthusiasts exploring nature's beauty.

California’s best coastal dog-friendly towns

From Mendocino's Victorian headlands to Laguna Beach's gallery-lined streets, California's best coastal towns have quietly reshaped themselves around four-legged visitors. Expect water bowls at storefronts, treats at hotel check-in and patios where dogs are the guests of honor.

Photo by Visit Santa Cruz, two dogs playing on beach.

Surf and sand in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz pairs legendary surf breaks with towering redwoods and 17 dog-friendly beaches along its 29-mile coastline. Add wineries, breweries and a walkable downtown, and you have the perfect pup-friendly getaway.

Canines reign supreme in Carmel

Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of America's most dog-friendly towns, with loose leash laws, an off-leash beach, pet boutiques and patio dining galore. More than half of the village's 40-plus hotels welcome four-legged guests.

Walk along Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, Cambria.

Slowdown in SLO CAL

San Luis Obispo County stretches 100 miles along Highway 1, with off-leash beaches, dog-friendly wineries and charming towns from Cambria to Pismo Beach. Stay at coastal lodges or the Michelin Key-awarded San Luis Creek Lodge.

Say “bone-appetit” to Big Bear

Big Bear's restaurant scene warmly welcomes dogs on patios throughout the village. Try dog-safe donuts at Dank Donuts, burgers and brews at The Bone Yard, wine and bites at Barrel 33, or Mexican fare at Azteca Grill.

Plan your perfect Sacramento daycation

Sacramento is a dog-travel powerhouse with 32 miles of river parkway trails, farm-to-fork dining on spacious patios and craft breweries that welcome pups. These one-day itineraries pair top dog-friendly hotels with the best the capital city has to offer.