Canine Commons

Napa Valley is amazingly dog-friendly, with scores of wineries and restaurants welcoming four-legged visitors accompanied by humans. When it comes to hiking, head to Moore Creek Park, on the north side of Lake Hennessy near St. Helena. Among 15 miles of trails here is the serene, 5.6-mile Shoreline Trail/Alta Hennessey Loop, which traces the perimeter of this fresh-water reservoir with a jaunt into the hills along a dirt road. more »

Just because you’ve had your fill of food, wine and vines doesn’t mean your Restless Rover is ready to call it a day. After all, there’s not much exercise to be had in a tasting room. If the two of you need to burn a few calories, we suggest starting your day at Canine Commons dog park, part of 157-acre Alston Park northwest of downtown Napa. This fenced, 3-acre romp space (small dogs have their own area) is custom designed for off-leash play. In addition, dogs under voice control are allowed to accompany you without a tether on almost 30 acres of open space surrounded by vineyards above the dog-park enclosure. In addition to Alston Park, you’ll find off-leash areas for dogs under voice control at Napa’s Shurtleff dog park and in the undeveloped areas of 350-acre Kennedy Park. more »

Most people come to the Napa Valley for legendary food and wine, but dogs traveling with their uprights often have other ideas. After all, there’s not much exercise to be had in a tasting room, no matter how velvety the Cabernets, how elegant the appointments or how welcoming the staff. If your Restless Rover needs to burn a few calories before settling down, more »