About
Welcome to Hiking Girl With Dog!
Did you know that not all trails are dog-friendly? Our beautiful National Parks and State Parks don’t allow dogs on the trails, for one. Generally, National Forests and National Monuments do allow dogs on the trails.
Regardless where you go, hiking and traveling with a dog require more preparation. First, you need to research to make sure your pup can join you. I’ve been creating a comprehensive hiking guide with trail stats after each new hike so you can be prepared. Unless noted, you can be sure that all trail write-ups on this blog are dog-friendly.
Most trails in Southern California have a leash rule. However, we hike early before the trail gets crowded or favor the lightly trafficked trails, so Xena hikes off-leash. She is trained to stay on the trail and stops for the leash when there are oncoming K9 hikers. Please keep your dog leashed for his/her safety if your dog does not respond to a recall command.
Since you found our page, you must love dogs, the outdoors, and adventures as much as we do! Welcome! I hope you find this blog inspiring.
How to Use This Blog:
Let this be your main source for dog-friendly adventure search for Southern California and beyond.
Search trails by distance or location using the menu or the search feature on the top menu and enter a keyword(s).
In addition to detailed trail write-ups, we share hiking and camping gear reviews and hiking tips regularly. We hope you find this blog helpful.
Additional Resources
If you are new to hiking with a dog, I highly recommend reading Essential Gear for Hiking with Dog. Start with a short distance and build their endurance. You can book a coaching session with me and I will get you started on your adventures.
Do you want to join us on one of our guided hikes, or interested in a private guided hike? Great! Click here for more details.
For the DIY people, you can find our catalog of trails here.
How to Contact Us
Please feel free to message us via Contact Us from the menu. We also welcome:
- Collaborations
- Sponsorships
Be Social with Us:
- Instagram: @hikinggirlwithdog
- Twitter: @HikingGirlwDog
- Facebook: @hikinggirlwithdog
BIO
Xena
A 9-year old mixed breed with a gentle soul. Canine Good Citizen graduate. 32 lbs. of sweetness and pup attitude. Jamie’s fur baby, trail buddy, and travel companion.
Jamie
Writer and Photographer of this blog. Jamie loves the great outdoors and adventuring with her pup. She loves telling a story with photos and wants to get better. She is also a Los Angeles-based photographer who specializes in natural dog portraits in outdoor settings. You can book a photo session with her at Outdoor Dog Photography for your fur baby!
Hiking Girl with Dog 
Hi Jamie!! LOVE your site!! Beautiful photos, very informative and thorough! Miss Xena looks like a great traveling companion 🙂 Your hikes will inspire me to get out there too!
Hi Margaret!! Thanks for visiting my blog! Your comment will motivate me to explore more! 😀
Hi Jaime! Found your blog looking for hikes in PV and I wasn’t disappointed! Can’t take my dog on hikes anymore, he’s an old bloodhound whose hip gives out, but I’m totally inspired to go hiking today based on your beautiful pictures! Thanks so much!!!
Thanks so much! PV is my home base. When I am not exploring new trails, I am in PV. Many trail options and beautiful ocean views never get old. I am sure your dog would rather stay home too. Have a wonderful time. Happy Hiking! 🙂
Hi Jamie! I have really enjoyed reading your blog, Xena looks so cute! I nominated you for the Liebster Award, which has been going around WordPress recently. You don’t have to participate, but if you would like to you can find more information on the award here:
https://themountainsaremyhome.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/liebster-award-nominees/
Thanks for the nomination, Anna! I enjoy reading your blog as well. 🙂
Congrats! I have also nominated your for the Liebster Award! You can check out all the details here: https://lauracooperphotoblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/18/liebster-award/
Your blog is awesome! 🙂
Thanks, Laura! 😊 Your photos are amazing!
Hello Jamie ! Thank you for the follow on my blog Darwin on the rocks and around the world. I quite like hiking as well, but unfortunately, I’m not very fit so I often found myself very frustrated. Have a lovely day ! Gin
Hi just stumbled across your blog,may great read, loving the photos too. Xena looks so adorable.
Thank you! Glad you find us! 🙂 I also have dairy allergy so I am looking forward to reading your posts!
I absolutely LOVE your photos! (Sorry for the spam on IG. I wanted to like every pic in your gallery, but I didn’t want to blow up your notification box.)
Thanks for sharing great information and beautiful pics of your adventures! Hope to see you and Xena at the beach or on the trails someday. You girls are super awesome and cool!
Hi Tina! Thank you so much for your kind words. Ha ha, it’s ok about IG. So sweet! 💕 Yes, it would be super cool if our adventures cross each other’s path! Thanks for stopping by and dropping us a line!! 😊
Hi, Jamie–
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated your blog for the Liebster Award. I know this can feel a little chain letter-y, but I think you do really really good work and I wanted to recognize it.
You can find out a little bit more from my post over at LP: https://lesserplaces.wordpress.com/2016/04/14/lesser-places-has-been-nominated-for-the-liebster-award/
Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Max! You kind words are much appreciated! It was about time for someone to nominate your blog because it is great! You have so knowledgeable about outdoors yet so humble and oh my gosh, your sense of humor! 🙂 Congrats and thank you again.
Of course, Jamie– you deserve it! I’m sorry for the chain letter-y feel of this, but you write one of my very favorite blogs and I wanted to take the chance to recognise it.
Aww thank you. I didn’t participate in blog awards until now but I couldn’t turn down your nomination! 🙂
Hi! I just found your blog. I’m a hiking enthusiast and a make up enthusiast! I would love to share a fun video I made combining the two.
I hope you get a laugh!
Fantastic blog! I look forward to reading more.
Thank you so much Maegan and welcome!
Found your blog by accident (via Nobody Hikes in LA) and loving it. Informative narrative and great picture. Thank you. your model, aka Xena is absolutely beautiful
Thanks so much!! Welcome! 💞