John McLaren Park, San Francisco, California

McLaren Park is another popular dog park, the central area within the John F. Shelley Drive loop is off-leash and features a pond where dogs are welcome to swim.  It's not a huge space but lots of fun to explore, about a mile loop around the central area of the park.

Bluff Trailhead at Gualala Point, Sonoma County, California

We stopped here on the way home to San Francisco from a Humboldt County vacation, has a beach and bluff trails to explore.

Richardson Grove State Park, Humboldt County

California Route 101 cuts right through this Richardson Grove State Park, making it irresistible for a quick break from your drive, and there's car camping spots for an overnight stay.  There are lots of great short trails around the parking areas and camp grounds with old growth redwood exhibits, as well as trails up the surrounding hills for great views, not to mention the river bed to explore!

Richardson Grove State Park

Black Sands Beach, Lost Coast, Shelter Cove, CA

The Lost Coast is a spectacular wilderness area (completely wild, not a state park or recreation area) where it was deemed too expensive to extend the Pacific Coast Highway.  A 3-4 day hike from north to south is popular and on our bucket list, but this is just a daytime jaunt from the southern trailhead in Shelter Cove, CA on Black Sands Beach.

• Beach is rocky, booties are recommended for dogs
• Road to Shelter Cove may be impassable during poor conditions which aren't infrequent during rainy season
• The beach is impassable at high tide starting about 4 miles north from southern trailhead.  Do not hike past this point on a day hike, and carefully plan your passage using tide charts during a through hike.

Chamberlain Creek Falls, Mendocino County

Another off the beaten path waterfall, this time in Jackson Demonstration State Forest near Fort Bragg.  Starting on Route 1 in Fort Bragg, head east on Route 20 about 17 miles and turn left to head north on Road 200 just after crossing over Chamberlain Creek Bridge on Route 20.  Keep left to stay on Road 200 as you drive north, and the trailhead is 4.2 miles from Route 20, you'll see a stairway on the west side of the road which takes you down to the canyon trail and about one mile to the falls.

http://www.mendocinofun.com/chamberlain/

Point Cabrillo Light Station & Frolic Cove Beach, Mendocino County

There's lots to explore around Point Cabrillo, and it's fun to check out one of the north coast lighthouses while you're there!

Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino - Fern Canyon Trail Waterfall

This is a secret shortcut to a waterfall deep in Russian Gulch State Park.  Google does not have the trails mapped, but you can see the main trail/roadway running along the border of the park in satellite view which this hike begins on.  The coordinates on the map are for the trailhead, detailed directions here.

Russian Gulch State Park

Seaside Creek Beach, Mendocino County

This is a beautiful little beach just a few miles north of Fort Bragg, just don't cross Ten Mile River at the southern boundary - it may be possible at low tide, but the beach south of Ten Mile River is protected Snowy Plover habitat, so dogs are not allowed.