Central Valley
The Central Valley is both California’s breadbasket and a jumping-off point for excursions to wine country, Gold Country, the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe.
Thanks to our friends at dog-friendly
Visit Vacaville for supporting the Central Valley Region pages on DogTrekker.com.
The Central Valley comprises parts of 11 counties and stretches from Kern County in the south to
Vacaville and Yolo County just west of Sacramento, plus Glenn and Yuba Counties further north.
Western Railway Museum. Photo by Chris, Western Railway Museum.
Redwood forests and mountains might be more scenically impressive, but there’s a different kind of ambience to be had in California’s flatlands. And the dog-friendly excursion trains that operate here provide plenty of diversions.
Take, for example, the electric trains of the Western Railway Museum, a repository of history from the pre-Interstate days when Northern California communities were connected by “interurban” railroads. The biggest player was the Sacramento Northern, whose trunk line stretched 184 miles from Chico to San Francisco. more »
Maya and her crew that follows. Photo by Dave Kendrick.
After a day spent shopping (don’t miss Sweet Pea’s Pet Boutique!), hiking in places like Rockville Hills Regional Park, or sipping your way through wine country highlights, unwind back in Vacaville. Close to town, some great dog parks let you take in the scenery while dogs stretch their legs. Lagoon Valley Dog Park presents 30,000 square feet of fenced-in fun, complete with benches, tables, water stations and safe, tail-waggin’ adventures. more »
Wine Country dog.
Vacaville is an ideal basecamp for touring wine country with your dog. Nearby Sonoma County and Napa Valley get all the attention, but this region is also home to one of California’s best-kept secrets. The laid-back Suisun Valley is rustic wine country charm at its best, with vineyards dating to the 1880s and standouts like Vezer Family Vineyard and Wooden Valley Winery. Sunshine and landscaped gardens make this one a pup-friendly, picnic-friendly favorite. more »
Vacaville Taco Trail. Photo by Visit Vacaville.
From high-end outlet stores to the dog-friendly Western Railway Museum to cafes catering to four-legged family members, Vacaville is a dynamic place to discover something new. There’s a budding food culture here, thanks to the surrounding agricultural bounty, and restaurants dish up fresh, unpretentious fare. Hop on the all-new Vacaville Taco Trail to sample the community’s diverse Mexican menus. Nine of the trail’s top stops welcome dogs, and many offer special deals for Vacaville Taco Trail passholders. more »
Hyatt Place. Photo by Visit Vacaville.
Vacaville is a convenient wine country gateway that’s also a short drive from both San Francisco and Sacramento. You’ll find some of the most reasonably priced accommodations around. Vacaville hotels and motels can cost up to 50% less than those in nearby wine destinations, and there are hospitality experiences to suit every travel budget. Check into centrally located properties like Hyatt Place or Residence Inn by Marriott, or choose from other comfortable Vacaville options. more »