Barndiva

Nine miles. Four-plus hours of water time. Countless tail wags, big smiles. A float/paddle on a secluded section of the Russian River is a DogTrekker must-do for visitors to Sonoma County. With your water-loving dog on board in a custom-made SOAR inflatable canoe from Russian River Adventures, you’ll explore a secluded section of the waterway downstream from Healdsburg and linger at swimming holes and beaches, picnicking, playing fetch and wishing the adventure would never end. If DogTrekkers act fast, the usual $10 dog fee will be waved mid-week through the end of June (use code DOG10TREK19 when booking reservations). more »

The unhurried stretch of the Russian River downstream from the Sonoma County town of Healdsburg is a DogTrekker’s delight, especially when you’re floating along in a dog-friendly, custom-made SOAR canoe from Russian River Adventures. more »

What’s your pleasure? Cozy inns and memorable meals? Pre-holiday shopping? Wine tasting? You’ll find them all in Healdsburg, a charming and walkable town built around a plaza at the heart of the Russian River Valley. Scores of wineries are within easy striking distance of Healdsburg, but there are so many dog-friendly restaurants and tasting rooms in town (we’re partial to canine-welcoming Topel and Portalupi right on the square) that you might not even get into your vehicle until it’s time to go home. more »

Rural but sophisticated? Away from it all but not far from home? Sounds like Sonoma County, where cabin and cottage retreats are as much a part of the landscape as towering redwoods and vineyard-covered hills. more »

There it sits, a big blue puddle on the map about 75 miles due north of Santa Rosa. When’s the last time you and your furry sidekick visited Clear Lake, in Lake County? more »

When it comes time to spend the night, Sonoma County has more options than a Dalmatian has spots. Autumn offers great rates at dog-friendly properties in hip and happening Healdsburg. The Best Western Plus Dry Creek Inn, where newly renovated, dog-friendly rooms  go for under $100 a night midweek, is a DogTrekker favorite. The stylish H2hotel just off the downtown plaza serves up filtered water along with pats for its canine guests. more »

This hip, happening and very dog-friendly Sonoma County town makes a great base for forays into the Russian River wine country, but there are so many dog-friendly restaurants and tasting rooms in town that you might not even make it that far. Go now, before tourist season heats up, to get great rates at dog-friendly lodging properties. more »

If shopping at a mobbed big-box store on the day after Thanksgiving isn’t your brand of kibble, consider a trip to the charming Sonoma County town of Healdsburg, where merchants all around the plaza are celebrating the start of the shopping season with a Downtown Holiday Party from 5-9 p.m. Nov. 25. more »

What's a little wet fur among friends? With the crowds gone and only a few weeks left before the rainy season sets in, the romantic Russian River region beckons. more »