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Paw Press

Paw Press

Pup Palooza 2025. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

Paw Press Blog

Welcome to Paw Press, DogTrekker.com’s update on what’s happening in the dog world. We cover doggie events that  we attend; provide updates on where we’ve been; inform you of new, dog-passionate lodging packages; and keep current with dog advocates’ on-going battles to maintain and grow access to dog-friendly areas.

Explorer Cabin firepits.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite opens Explorer Cabins

Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite has opened 50 new dog-friendly Explorer Cabins with fireplaces, covered porches, and communal fire pits in a mountain forest setting. Combined with the lodge's dog-sitting services and patio dining, it is a top-tier retreat for traveling pups.

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Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabin.

Explorer cabins at Yosemite’s Tenaya Lodge

The Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite are dog-friendly two-bedroom retreats in a mountain forest setting. Guests enjoy a communal clubhouse with daily breakfast and evening wine receptions, plus a dedicated Camp Host ready with adventure tips.

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Image from DogTrekker’s official spring/summer event guide is live! on DogTrekker

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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Black Labrador Retriever dog wearing a life jacket in a boat
Adobe Images

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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Image from Cooper loved to travel on DogTrekker

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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Image from Happy New Year from DogTrekker! on DogTrekker

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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Auto Camp. Photo by Autocamp Russian River.

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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Dog with award

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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Cappuccino the Dog is a beloved statue located at the intersection of Alcatraz Avenue and Racine Street in North Oakland. The statue was created by artist Devyon Harrison and represents Cappuccino, a terrier-lab mix.

Discover dog-friendly Oakland: A canine paradise

Oakland is one of the Bay Area's most welcoming cities for dogs, with 73 regional parks, off-leash trails, sunny weather when San Francisco is foggy, and a community where having a dog is practically required.

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Briones Regional Park, Contra Costa County, California, USA.

Exploring the tri-valley

The Tri-Valley east of San Francisco Bay is home to Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon. The Livermore Wine Valley's 40-plus wineries welcome dogs, open-space preserves offer miles of trails, and dog-friendly patios and hotels make overnight visits easy.

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Convict Lake, a dog-friendly hiking trail in Mammoth Lakes, California

The ultimate doggie treat: A Mammoth Lakes adventure

Mammoth Lakes is pure dog paradise, from the sandy shores of Horseshoe Lake to scenic trails through lodgepole pine forests. Pack up the dog bowl and treat your pup to the ultimate Eastern Sierra adventure.

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Napa Humane Pawsport,

Pawsport Yountville: Dog-friendly wine tasting weekend

Pawsport Yountville is a dog-friendly wine tasting weekend in Napa Valley benefiting Napa Humane. Visit six pup-welcoming tasting rooms and restaurants in charming Yountville, with exclusive tastings, goodie bags, and dog treats included in each ticket.

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San Francisco's Emperor Norton had his dogs Bummer and Lazarus. Calistoga's Sam Brannan had Leonitus. Archive photo.

Was Calistoga really founded by a dog?

Calistoga's founding story features Sam Brannan and his loyal Newfoundland, Leonitus, who helped shape the town into a thriving resort community. Today, pet-friendly inns, wine tasting rooms and restaurants carry on that dog-welcoming tradition in Napa Valley.

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Image from Sip and savor with your pup: fall winery-trekking on DogTrekker

Sip and savor with your pup: Fall winery-trekking

Fall is prime time for dog-friendly wine tasting in California. Skip the crowds and pricey fees with laid-back visits to wineries near Sacramento, in Vacaville's Suisun Valley, and along Mendocino County's scenic Highway 101 and 128 wine roads.

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Image from The East Bay SPCA Growl Meow & Wine silent auction is live on DogTrekker

The East Bay SPCA Growl Meow & Wine silent auction is live

The East Bay SPCA's Growl Meow and Wine silent auction features hundreds of packages, from hotel stays to sustainable dog gear. All proceeds support the organization's mission of keeping pets and people together.

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Image from Happy New Year on DogTrekker
Adobe Images

Happy New Year

Ring in the new year with fresh dog-friendly travel plans across California. DogTrekker.com has been revamped to help you find hikes, beaches, wineries, hotels, and more to enjoy with your furry family members throughout the state.

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Image from Napa Humane's Pawsport: fetch great deals and fun on DogTrekker
Adobe Images

Napa Humane’s Pawsport: Fetch great deals and fun

Napa Humane's annual Pawsport offers more than $1,100 in perks for just $75 during March. Two-for-one wine tastings, restaurant discounts, and lodging deals make it a great value supporting Napa Humane's programs.

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Jagger DWagger at the Capitol.

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.

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Wag, Wine & Dine 2025, a dog-friendly event in California

Wag, Wine & Dine 2025

Waggin' Trails Rescue Foundation hosts Wag, Wine and Dine on August 24 at the Meritage Resort in Napa. Enjoy wine from 20-plus wineries, gourmet bites, live music and a pooch pageant while supporting dogs in need of forever homes.

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Poster by Berkeley Humane.

Bark and Meow Around the Block

Berkeley Humane's Bark and Meow Around the Block street fair returns August 23 with hundreds of adoptable dogs, live music, food trucks and a beer garden.

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Stanford Inn by the Sea at sunset.

Condé Nast Traveler readers’ top Northern California hotel picks

Four Northern California hotels from the Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards stand out for dog lovers. The Stanford Inn, Harbor Court, Stanford Court and Inn at the Presidio all warmly welcome pups.

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Image from Affordable hotels near wine country? We’re all ears. on DogTrekker

Affordable hotels near wine country? We’re all ears.

Vacaville offers affordable pet-friendly hotels with easy access to Napa, Sonoma and Suisun Valley wineries. Stay for less, sip world-class wines, and enjoy dog parks, patio dining and public art with your pup along the way.

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Image from Make Noyo Harbor Inn your ulti-mutt fall getaway on DogTrekker

Make Noyo Harbor Inn your ulti-mutt fall getaway

Noyo Harbor Inn in Fort Bragg pairs Mendocino Coast beauty with genuine dog-friendly hospitality. Leashed dogs join guests at HarborView Bistro, and the inn's grounds and nearby coastal trails make it easy to keep your pup happy all weekend.

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Pup Palooza. Photo by Dave Kendrick

Pup Palooza is back and better than ever

Little River Inn proudly hosts Pup Palooza, a lively spring celebration that supports the Mendocino Coast Humane Society. From dog painting to wine tasting to training workshops and contests, this family-friendly event delights dogs and the humans who follow. With the Inn’s special lodging deals, you can make it a full weekend on the coast.

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