Linda and David Mullally, authors of “Best Hikes with Dogs: Central California,” will sign books and give a slide show at the REI in Mountain View, REI Mountain View, 2450 Charleston Road, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 23. Note: Backpacking tips are included.

Here’s the pitch on their book:

55 dog-friendly hikes in the Central Coast, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and the Sierra Nevada

Tips on trail etiquette, trip preparations, finding appropriate routes for your dog, reducing environmental impacts, and more

Most up-to-date info on leash laws and regulations

This guide includes dog-friendly trails between Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo, stretching across the Central Valley eastward to Lee Vining and southward to Lone Pine. These trails are not only legal for canine hikers, but also welcoming and safe. Additionally, this guide presents information on hiking responsibly with your dog: what to do when you encounter other hikers, tips on minimizing negative impacts, and skills for preparing your dog for a hike in the varied terrain of Central California.

OK, so the locale is a bit removed from the Bay Area, but the tips on taking the dog backpacking should be helpful no matter where you hike.