5 Easy Dog-Friendly and Toddler-Friendly Road Trips in California

California is the perfect place for a family road trip, even if you’ve got a toddler and a dog in the backseat. Your traveling days don’t have to be over with a toddler – you just have to adjust how you travel! We love road trips because we can take our dog along with us on these family adventures. And with so much outdoor beauty to explore in California, there are plenty of dog-friendly activities in these road trip destinations that toddlers will also love. We’re sharing five of our favorite family-friendly road trips across California. From the coastal beauty of Mendocino and Monterey to the laid-back vibes of Central Coast California, the sunny fun of San Diego, and the majestic views of Lake Tahoe, these easy dog and toddler friendly road trips are perfect for unlocking core memories together.

1. Monterey

Monterey holds a special spot in our hearts and was one of the first road trips that we took our dog and then our baby to. It is very dog-friendly, and there are many dog-friendly coastal trails and beaches where you can admire the stunning coastline while getting some fresh air for the whole family. For more outdoor fun, Dennis the Menace Park is a fun stop for toddlers, and nearby, there’s a dog-friendly park where your pup can stretch their legs. Whether it’s exploring the coast or just hanging out at the beach, Monterey makes it easy to enjoy a family road trip with your toddler and dog! To help with planning, check out our family friendly long weekend in Monterey itinerary and don’t forget to book one of our favorite dog-friendly accommodations.

Drive Time: 2-2.5 hours from San Francisco and 5-6 hours from Los Angeles

2. Mendocino

Mendocino is another gem on California’s coast. The town of Mendocino has a relaxed, small-town charm, making it easy to enjoy nature and spend quality time with the whole family. Although we visited before we had a kiddo, I can easily see our toddler happily running along the same easy dog-friendly hikes that our dog enjoyed. And both dogs and toddlers can enjoy hunting for colorful glass at the Glass Beach or exploring their first lighthouse. Throw in a train ride and it will be your toddler’s best day ever. Check out our dog-friendly long weekend in Mendocino itinerary for more inspiration about how to spend your weekend getaway.

Drive Time: 3.5-4 hours from San Francisco and 8-9 hours from Los Angeles

3. Central Coast California

The town of Paso Robles and coastal towns of Morro Bay and Cambria are perfect for a laid back family getaway. Between the wineries, the coastal scenery, and the amazing wildlife, there is something for everyone to enjoy here. Our dog loved sniffing the sea breeze on our coastal walks, our toddler loved spotting sea otters, and we loved the food scene. For more ideas on how to spend a weekend in this hidden gem, check out our dog and toddler-friendly long weekend in Central Coast California itinerary.

Drive Time: 3 hours from San Francisco and 4 hours from Los Angeles

4. San Diego

San Diego is amazing for a family road trip. The city has something for everyone—great weather, beautiful dog friendly beaches, and tons of fun places to explore. While you can’t bring your dog to the zoo and museums, we found plenty of outdoor activities that both our toddler and our dog could enjoy together. Whether it was exploring the gardens of Balboa Park or spotting helicopters on Coronado Beach, both our dog and toddler had a blast having some fun in the sun. Check out our dog and toddler friendly San Diego itinerary for the best dog and toddler friendly activities and best areas in San Diego to stay for families to save time planning your trip!

Drive Time: 8 hours from San Francisco and 2-2.5 hours from Los Angeles

5. Lake Tahoe

Known for its crystal-clear waters and beautiful mountain views, Lake Tahoe is the perfect spot for a family escape into nature. Our toddler loves playing at the beaches, where the water is shallow enough for them to splash around. And we love the dog-friendly hikes that allow us to enjoy the stunning lake views together as a family. It’s the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and relaxation. Explore our dog and toddler friendly Lake Tahoe guide for our favorite dog and toddler friendly beaches and hikes all around Lake Tahoe, and recommendations for the best places to stay for families.

Drive Time: 4 hours from San Francisco and 7-8 hours from Los Angeles

Reality Check of Road Trips with a Dog and Toddler

The benefits of a road trip are that our dog can come along and that we have more flexibility with travel time. But not gonna lie, being stuck in a car with a dog and a toddler can be brutal. Especially if you have a wriggly toddler who does not want to be stuck in a car seat for long. However, after taking a couple road trips, we have found some strategies for surviving long car rides together so that we arrive at our destination in a relatively good mood.

We have learned that it helps to get the wiggles out for both our dog and toddler before we start a long drive. Whether that is a long walk or a visit to the playground, it helps to do something before the drive to tire them out. It also helps to time the long car ride around nap time if possible to maximize your changes of that nap happening. If we’re lucky, that can buy us a car nap. If not, then we allow unlimited screen time during travel. We also make sure to have plenty of snacks and other activities to switch things up, especially when our toddler did not have a long enough attention span to stay glued to the screen for long.

It also helps to manage expectations. Road tripping with a toddler and a dog is going to take longer and require more flexibility. Unexpected potty breaks or car sickness may happen. We have learned that our plans for the day may change, but that’s okay as long as everyone is happy at the end of the day.