Hood Mountain Regional Park, Sonoma Valley, Santa Rosa, CA

Hood Mountain Regional Park was hit by the Sonoma wildfires in 2017 and was still recovering during our visit at New Years 2019 but open for business except one small section.

We parked at Pythian Road lot and hiked to the summit, but there are a number of options and trails around the mountain dividing the Sonoma and Napa Valleys.  On a clear day you can see all the way to San Francisco from the summit.

Blind Beach, Sonoma County, California

Popular dog beach in Sonoma County, it's a trek down the bluffs from the parking lot to the beach but nice once you get there.  Note that dogs are not allowed north of the giant Goat Rock as it's protected habitat, though I think you could park in the lot at the dividing line and walk south on the beach, but we used the lot at top of the bluffs.

Willow Creek State Park, Sonoma County, California

Lots to explore here and multiple starting points, we used Willow Creek Road and drove up to the private property line to use the southern trailhead for Islands in the Sky which is appropriately named, very rewarding views from mountaintop meadows for strenuous climb.

Armstrong Redwoods State Park, Guerneville, California

Dogs are only allowed on paved roads and campgrounds here and at neighboring Austin Creek State Recreation Area but there is a lot to explore in this park on paved roads.  Only service dogs allowed on trails and fire roads unfortunately.

This was just under a 4-mile hike out on McCray Fire Road and back on the East Ridge Fire Road/Trail.  Just a shorter out an back on East Ridge would be worthwhile as that's where all the views are.

https://goo.gl/maps/5r6ybz4VF572

Bolinas Ridge, near Point Reyes, California

Bolinas Ridge runs south from the trailhead for many miles so can make this as long of an out-and-back as you want (well beyond 5 miles shown below).  It travels through grazing pastures so you may encounter cows!

Jack's Peak, Monterey, California

Great views of the Bay and nice way to pay homage to Monterey Jack Cheese.  You can drive up to the parking lots and then some easy short trails around the peak.

Carmel River State Beach, Carmel, California

Popular dog friendly beach in Carmel and not quite as crowded as the main beach.

Garrapata State Beach, Monterey County, California

Nice stop off Pacific Coast Highway Route 1, but at highest of tides the beach can be overtaken so be careful.

Ontario Ridge Trail, San Luis Obispo, California

This has some strenuous climbs but then great views from the top!  Limited parking in the lot we used down in the residential neighborhood but more by the Avila Sea Caves.

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Richmond, California

Point Isabel is the popular dog spot on the northeast bay shoreline, walking the perimeter is an easy 2-mile stroll just watch out if it's low tide and your dog likes to run down into the mud.  Plus great views of the bay, San Francisco and the Golden Gate if it's a clear day.

Berkeley Hills, Berkeley, California

There are many unnamed trails in the hills behind the Berkeley campus with great views of the Bay Area.

Fort Point & Crissy Field, San Francisco, California

Starting from Crissy Field the walk to Fort Point and back is nice and scenic, the brief parts along the road to Fort Point are compensated for with the off-leash play at Crissy Field and the beach.

Whiskeytown, Shasta County near Redding, Calfornia

We stopped by Whiskeytown on our way home from a roadtrip in September 2018 but it was ravaged by wildfires so none of the trails were open we just passed through in the car and explored a couple areas but hope to go back someday when it's recovered.

Shasta Dam, Lake Shasta, California

We made a pit stop here on a road trip to visit the dam, it was over 100 degrees so too hot to stay long but took a short walk out on the dam and back.  Lots more to do around Lake Shasta and the area.

Smelts Sands State Recreation Site and 308 Trail, Yachats, Oregon

We stayed at a hotel near this small park but there is a trail along the coast (the 804 Trail) that leads to a dog friendly sandy beach that stretches miles north from Yachats to Waldport via San Marine State Park, Beachside State Recreation Site, Wakonda Beach.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Central Oregon Coast

Stopped here on a road trip to check out the dunes and Horsfall Beach and do a quick hike around Bluebill Lake.

McVay Rock State Recreation Site, Oregon

McVay Rock is a small park with a gravel beach and has an off leash dog pen.  A good pit stop off Route 101.