All "Dog Friendly" Stories in Southern CA
America's Lake Como (Without the Crowds)
If Italy’s famed Lake Como has an American doppelganger, it’s Washington State’s Lake Chelan. This charming town, surrounded by good earth for growing standout apples and grapes, is named for its marquee oasis. The lake, fed by glacial activity dating thousands of years, is the deepest (1,486 feet) in Washington State.
ViewLittle Valley, Big Apple
During the fall season, your road trip route between Seattle and the high desert destinations of Lake Chelan, Twisp, and Winthrop likely involves passing through Wenatchee—also known as “the apple capital of the world.” But it’s not just apples that are booming here. Wenatchee has a distinct verve of agricultural ingenuity and art inspired by historic roots and contemporary influence.
ViewWhat's Up, Winthrop!
It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.
ViewWine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan
The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.
ViewVista Hermosa, Echo That!
Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.
ViewBakery to Bakery Urban Art Walk
With nearly 600 restaurants, Pasadena rivals New York City in terms of establishments per capita. Translation: There’s a lot of food to choose from! French eateries are no exception. In the spirit of the Olympics, take a victory lap on a 3,500-meter (2.2-mile) bakery-to-bakery walk with some beautiful artdoors to see along the way.
ViewGriffith's Golden
With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.
ViewThis Is Paradise
Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.
ViewThis Urban Spot Is Tops
Once an old military command post, today the Presidio in San Francisco is the largest urban national park in the United States. It’s also home to the relatively new Presidio Tunnel Tops a park built on top of Presidio Parkway tunnels. Not only does this offer a corridor for animals and plants to thrive in, it’s also a great community space for humans.
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Sundialed Summer
Gather your favorite people and dial up the summer fun in Redding! There are span-tastic celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the iconic Sundial Bridge and a Fourth of July celebration with one of California’s largest fireworks shows.
View Rancho Style
Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.
ViewAll in for Agua Hedionda
The stunning San Diego coastline is no secret—it’s got some of the most pristine sandy shorelines in the world. But just beyond some of those stretches lie beautiful, less-frequented hidden gems: lagoons! For some oar-some kayaking and a few short and sweet hiking trails, choose Agua Hedionda.
ViewBe Dune-spired!
There’s only one urban park on the planet that helped inspire a major theme in Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi book, Dune. Herbert was born and raised in Tacoma, and Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park is named in honor of his famous novel—a tribute to one of the book’s main ideas ...
ViewTacoma Time
Idyllically located on the banks of Puget Sound, Tacoma bustles with abundant outdoors, a lively urban center, and the beautiful Ruston Way Waterfront, which connects downtown to one of America’s preeminent urban parks: Point Defiance Park.
ViewThe Beauty of Bainbridge Island
You know a place is special when locals head to it for their in-state vacations. Follow the lead of Seattleites and venture to beautiful Bainbridge Island in the heart of Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula. Hike the Grand Forest here, meet Pia the Peacekeeper, and enjoy tasty food and drinks.
ViewLittle Norway
There aren’t many small towns in America that look and feel like Europe, but Washington State sure seems to have a few! Lesser known among them is Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula. Dubbed “Little Norway,” this hamlet on the waterfront of Liberty Bay is charmed with Scandinavian influence.
ViewGo Big in Bremerton
Make your way to the largest city on the Kitsap Peninsula, Bremerton. Best known for its naval and maritime heritage, there’s also plenty of outdoors to explore, including a hidden treasure within the Puget Sound Basin: the Keta Legacy Foundation Rhododendron Preserve.
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Redding to Shake Things Up!
Go wild on your next group getaway, event, or team trip. All you have to do is take it outside, in Redding! As the sunniest city in California, surrounded by Shasta and Lassen and mountainous Whiskeytown, Redding has everything you need for a meeting of the minds, naturally!
View Beaudry Bountiful
There are no cars allowed on Beaudry Loop, but this 6-mile hike takes you on a wild ride. You’ll be climbing 1,500 feet up the southern Verdugos along a chaparral-lined trail with gorgeous mountain and urban vistas every step of the way.
ViewNorco Powered
This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail in Norco climbs 643 feet to the summit of Norco Mountain—a small peak overlooking the Inland Empire.
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2025 POST Wildflower Walks
Get flower empowered! POST’s complimentary 2025 Wildflower Walks guide blooms with the best places to see a variety of florals across the Peninsula and South Bay this spring.
POST's 2025 Wildflower Guide
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