Stay active while on vacation in Napa’s famous wine country kayak trip on the Napa River. Encompassing approximately 55 miles, the Napa River was once the third busiest commercial river in California. It is now a defining natural feature of the City and home to one of the largest inter-tidal marsh restoration projects in the United States (the Napa-Sonoma Marshes). A single deep channel runs directly through the heart of downtown Napa, offering a quiet, scenic setting, with seasonally warmer weather than you will find anywhere else on the water this close to San Francisco.
In this adventure, your knowledgeable guide will teach you the basics of paddling and host you on a tour curated by the local Conservation District. Together you hit the water to paddle through restored salt water wetlands, historic downtown Napa and the Oxbow Preserve. As one of the most biologically diverse regions in the San Francisco Bay Area, you may see river otters, turtles and a variety of birds on this leisurely two hour paddle. This round trip adventure continues up into the freshwater forest of the Oak Knoll AVA, the most northern reach of the San Pablo Bay.
Please note, this booking guarantees you a spot in a kayak. Depending on the tour size, we can only accommodate single kayaks if available, otherwise participants are put into a tandem kayak. Please contact us directly to make other arrangements.
** IF YOU HAVE ANY FOOD ALLERGIES, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and notify us within 48 hours of the tour, so we can prepare your picnic platter accordingly. Our paddle picnic often includes charcuterie made with nuts, onions, garlic, dairy and gluten. We will try to accommodate your dietary needs as much as possible or withhold items you have allergies toward. Thank you!**
Highlights
- Enjoy the personalized attention of a professional guide and a small group departing from downtown Napa
- Water safety equipment and professional paddle instruction
- Tandem sit on top kayaks for their roominess and stability
- Tour through the Oxbow Nature Preserve into the northern reach of the San Pablo Bay
- Unique ecology and river history with discussion on wildlife and habitat
- Venture through salt water wetlands and freshwater forest and scenic downtown views from the water
- No kayaking experience necessary
- Perfect for all experience levels and beginners welcome
What you can expect
- This tour is very educational and is about much more than paddling a kayak. With your expert guide, we will:
- Explore the waterways and discover wildlife on our kayak tour
- Identify birds and wildlife in their fresh and saltwater environment
- Learn about the Native Wapo Indians and picnic near their fishing village that was vital to their survival
- Learn about the world renown Living River flood protection & restoration project ushering the return of salmon and steelhead
- Eat locally cured meats, nuts, cheese, pickles, crackers and non-alcoholic beverage
- Kayaking is a great opportunity to get in-tune with nature and relieve the stress of daily living. Our crew is friendly and able to work with any level of experience and all age groups, and you can feel safe knowing they’re First Aid, CPR and AED certified
Your adventure begins at the scheduled launch time at 100 Riverside Drive. Most of our launch locations do not have changing facilities, so come prepared to get into the water, leaving behind anything you care about losing on the water. After checking in with our guide, you will be fitted for a life-preserver, given a paddle and fit for your kayak. Most of our fleet consists of sit-on-top tandem kayaks that are stable and well suited for beginners. They also have compartments and bungee straps for locking down your water bottles and belongings. From there, your adventure begins on water. You can expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours on the water exploring the river with our knowledgeable guide at your side.
Napa River Gallery
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