About Us

Dog lovers know that there is no other feeling like watching your dog romp, sniff and enjoy the great outdoors. Pair that with exploring a beautiful place – seeing and hearing the sights and sounds of nature – and you have a match made in heaven. That’s what NatureDogs.com is all about: helping you find wonderful places in California to explore nature with your dog.

In our travels, we have found that just reading about a destination isn’t enough. Seeing photographs of a new place is critical for deciding whether it seems worth a visit. At NatureDogs.com every hike description is accompanied by multiple photographs.

So choose a hike near your home or start researching an area that you may be traveling to, and explore the outdoors with your dog! While you’re at it if you visit an area not yet listed and would like to contribute, please submit a hike.

Meet the Nature Dogs Gang

Monica and John with their Nature Dogs Diva, Spreckles, Tina, Hershey and Iggy (foster dog).

Monica Rua - Founder and Pack Leader

John Sullivan - Technical Terrier

Monica and John spend as much time as possible traveling the country finding fun places to explore with their dogs. They both have a passion for photography and they run Ribbit Photography, a nature photography business.

Monica started her career as a software engineer but then followed her heart and switched over to a career involving animals. She was Education Director of Happy Hollow Zoo in San Jose, CA, co-founded and was an active board member of Animal Friends Rescue Project for 12 years. In 2009, she co-founded Peace of Mind Dog Rescue and is currently Vice-President. She designed, co-developed and maintains the NatureDogs.com website.

John has worked for years as a software engineer. Although he loves all animals, he is particularly interested in reptiles and amphibians, as can be seen at his website www.wildherps.com. He co-developed the NatureDogs.com website.

Carie Broecker - Advertising Hound

Carie's life revolves around dogs. She publishes Coastal Canine Magazine, a magazine for dog lovers on the central coast and beyond, runs the pet-sitting business Aloha Pet Sitting, and is co-founder and President of Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. She was also an active board member of Animal Friends Rescue Project for 12 years. She does marketing and advertising for NatureDogs.com.

Carie with her Nature Dogs Sunshine, Marshall, Savvy and Lucy