Things to Do Blog

Over the past 10 years, DogTrekker’s team of veteran writers and editors have crafted more than 2,500 stories about all of the things you can do with your dog in California. Happy DogTrekking! Remember to travel lightly and always Leave Only Paw Prints®!

Dog-friendly Amador County: Gold Country wine and history

Amador County along Highway 49 is Gold Country at its finest, with historic hotels, robust zinfandels and dog-friendly tasting rooms. Time your visit for the annual Barbera Festival or enjoy wine and live music any weekend in Sutter Creek.

Paws for dinner on the patio

The Harborview Bistro and Bar at Noyo Harbor Inn serves locally sourced seafood and farm-fresh dishes on a dog-friendly patio overlooking the river. Chef Duboc pulls fish from the harbor and herbs from the inn gardens.

Not all tri-valley trails are made for walking

The Tri-Valley offers trails you follow by taste, not by foot. A beer trail with 22 craft breweries, a wine trail with 50-plus wineries, and a top-rated ice cream trail all welcome dogs at many stops.

Wag your way through the Central Valley

California's Central Valley holds surprises for dogs and train lovers alike. Ride vintage electric cars at the Western Railway Museum near Suisun City, or hop aboard the Sacramento River Fox Train for a leisurely round trip through Gold Rush country.

Things to do in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County has plenty to do with your dog beyond the beach. Hike off-leash at Byrne-Milliron Forest, ride a steam train at Roaring Camp, stroll the now dog-friendly Pacific Avenue downtown, or go tidepooling at Santa Maria Beach.

First time paws-ing in Redding?

New to Redding? Start at the Shasta Cascade Welcome Center, then walk the Sundial Bridge over the Sacramento River. From Whiskeytown Falls to botanical gardens to local breweries, here are our top picks for first-time visitors with dogs.

By land or by lake with Redding as a basecamp

Redding is the gateway to Upstate California, where rugged mountains, serene lakes, and stunning waterfalls await you and your dog. Hike the Sacramento River Trail, boat on Shasta Lake, or tackle the three McCloud River falls.

Get your float on in Sonoma Wine Country!

A four-hour float down a secluded stretch of the Russian River near Healdsburg is a must-do for water-loving dogs. Custom inflatable canoes keep everyone stable while you swim, picnic, and play fetch at sandy beaches along the way.

Drifting about in the Delta

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is a surprising getaway of old-time lift bridges, small towns, and levee roads. Dog-friendly wineries have popped up on both sides of the river, with live music, wood-fired pizza, and vineyard views to enjoy.

Five of California’s best dog-friendly wineries

California wine country has plenty of room for your dog at the tasting table. Robert Mondavi in Napa, Dutcher Crossing in Dry Creek Valley, and three more wineries offer outdoor patios and doggie treats.

An unforgettable ride in Mendocino County

Mendocino County's coast is an adventure playground for dogs. Ride the historic Skunk Train through redwood groves, paddle a handcrafted outrigger canoe on Big River, grab fish and chips overlooking Noyo Harbor, and stay in an ocean-view vacation home nearby.

Napa valley offers more than just great wine--its

Discover Calistoga in Napa Valley: A very dog-friendly wine country city

Calistoga in Napa Valley is a standout wine country town for dog lovers. Stroll Lincoln Avenue, hike the Oat Hill Mine Trail, taste wines at dog-welcoming wineries like Chateau Montelena, and dine on pet-friendly patios.

Ukiah a dog lovers paradise in mendocino county a

Dog-friendly Ukiah: A dog lover’s paradise in Mendocino County

Ukiah, right off Highway 101 in Mendocino County, is a funky dog lover's dream. The town offers an off-leash dog park, a scenic rail trail through vineyards, pet-friendly breweries and annual events celebrating all things canine.

Ten terrific dog-friendly wineries in California

California wine country is full of wineries that welcome dogs. From Hall Wines in Napa Valley and Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga to Mutt Lynch Winery in Windsor, here are ten great spots to sip with your pup.

Yosemite and Mariposa County: Awesome dog-friendly guide

Mariposa County near Yosemite is packed with dog-friendly adventures, from the Wawona Meadow Loop and South Fork Trail to pet-welcoming restaurants, historic lodges and even a ghost town tour you can enjoy with your pup.

Discover dog-friendly Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Hill in Contra Costa County offers dog-friendly wineries, off-leash parks, scenic trails and a welcoming downtown with patio dining. Nearby regional parks and nature preserves round out a perfect East Bay outing with your pup.

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.

Dog-friendy Tuolumne County (video)

Tuolumne County puts Yosemite, Gold Country, and High Sierra adventures within easy reach. Just two and a half hours from the Bay Area, this dog-friendly region offers year-round outdoor recreation, wine tasting, history, and camera-ready scenery around every bend.

Apple Hill is a short drive from downtown Sacramento.

Activities in Sacramento’s big backyard

Sacramento sits within easy reach of Folsom Lake, Apple Hill wineries, Gold Country, and the Sacramento River Delta. These day-trip destinations offer hiking, paddling, seasonal tastings, and plenty of dog-friendly stops along the way.

Day 1: Inland wine trails and train rides

Mendocino County's inland corridor along Highway 101 features dog-friendly wineries, farm-to-fork restaurants, and the iconic Skunk Train. Board with your pup for a scenic ride through redwood canyons and over mountain summits.

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.

Water fun and wineries in Lake County

Lake County, two hours north of San Francisco, blends water fun, wine tasting and small-town charm around Clear Lake. Bring your dog to paddle, hike, visit dog-friendly wineries and stay at lakeside lodges.

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.

Young people toasting red wine on dinner party mood - Multiracia

Capital sipping experiences

Sacramento makes a perfect base for dog-friendly wine tasting. Sip on the patio at Revolution Winery in Midtown, then head to the Apple Hill region near Placerville for fall farm visits and hillside vineyard views.

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