California White Water Rafting
Why choose O.A.R.S. for your California rafting or adventure vacation?
Our California whitewater rafting and multi-sport adventure getaway trips includes over sixteen unique itineraries on nine different California rivers–from March through September. O.A.R.S. offers a variety of options in California whitewater from an easy half-day float to a two-day rafting and wine-tasting escape to a six-day wilderness vacation – and everything in between.
We offer introductory California rafting trips for timid types (we all start somewhere!), gourmet excursions for wine connoisseurs and gourmands, as well as some serious Class V whitewater rafting thrills for adrenaline junkies. The majority of O.A.R.S. California river rafting adventures are within a half-day’s journey from San Jose and the San Francisco Bay Area, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley and Yosemite National Park.
O.A.R.S. has guided more than 450,000 guests on rivers and coastlines throughout California, the Western U.S. and worldwide. Our elite crew of enthusiastic, approachable and professional guides are the single most important component of our organization and always get top compliments from our guests. Our guides’ contagious enthusiasm for and their intimate knowledge of whitewater safety, swift water rescue, technical guiding skills and their friendly, outgoing personalities will ensure you have an unforgettable California whitewater rafting trip no matter which O.A.R.S. adventure you choose. These multi-faceted folks live and play in the Northern California and the Sierra Nevada area and love sharing places that are off the beaten path and away from the crowds. Join us on an O.A.R.S. California rafting adventure this summer!
Thinking about a vacation in California?
If California isn’t the whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, surfing, wine-producing, sunbathing, mountain biking, and snow skiing capital of the world – it ought to be! Here are some fun facts about California vacationing:
- California is second only to Idaho in terms of river rafting miles in the U.S. However, our commercial boating season lasts longer - from early spring into fall, and is six, sometimes seven months long.
- California has 1,264 miles of coastline. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year that’s a whole lot of opportunities to surf, sunbathe and splash in our rivers.
- There are 33 major downhill ski areas in California with loads of open space for cross- and back-country skiing. (And in some cases, you may be able to ski one day and raft the next! What other state offers that?)
- California accounts for over 90% of total U.S. wine production.
- Marin County, just north of San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge, is the well-documented birthplace of mountain biking. The Sierra Nevada region to the east offers a bigger, steeper and seemingly endless playground for the mountain biking enthusiast.
- California is a rock climber’s Mecca: Yosemite National Park and Joshua Tree National Parks, need we say more?
- Channel Islands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Mojave, Redwood, Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks. Nine, count ‘em, nine national parks in the State of California.
- No trip to the Sierra Nevada Foothill region would be complete without panning for gold or investigating California’s Gold Rush history. Charming Old West towns sprouted up throughout the foothills as a result of gold discovery at Sutter’s Mill, near the town of Coloma on the South Fork of the American River, on January 24, 1848.
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PrintO.A.R.S. White Water Rafting in California
Join O.A.R.S. for a classic California white water adventure rafting the American River, Merced, Tuolumne or Stanislaus River. Or consider a family vacation with us on the Lower Klamath or our Yosemite & Tuolumne Hiker. O.A.R.S. has been providing first class California whitewater rafting and adventure travel vacations for more than 40 years and we know how to create the magic on a classic California river rafting trip–stunning western scenery, exciting whitewater rapids and captivating companionship. We provide rafting trips on nine Northern California rivers, rated Class II-V, and whether you are a beginner or an expert, we have a California rafting trip to suit your thirst for adventure. Our elite crew of professional and enthusiastic California river rafting guides will carefully guide you down these scenic rivers and O.A.R.S. uses high-quality, well-maintained equipment with your comfort in mind.
The majority of O.A.R.S. California whitewater rafting and multi-sport adventures are within a half-day’s journey from San Jose and the San Francisco Bay Area, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley and Yosemite National Park. O.A.R.S. California rafting trips run March through September, offering you a plethora of rafting trip options whether you are looking for a family vacation in California, a mid-week escape from work, a weekend reprieve from the summer heat, a creative and unique idea for a bachelor or bachelorette party or just an excuse to brag amongst your friends at the watercooler!
Family River Rafting Trips in California and Trips for Beginners
American River Rafting on the South Fork of the American River near Sacramento offers classic California whitewater – crisp, clear, refreshing water flowing over spectacular granite rocks and boulders. Nestled in the bucolic open spaces of the Sierra Nevada foothills, the American River in California provides an ideal balance of adrenaline and fun. We offer half- and full-day American River rafting on the South Fork of the American River, South Fork full day trips and also a very fun 2-day American River rafting adventure.
Rafting the Wild and Scenic Lower Klamath River in Northern California near the Oregon border is the perfect family rafting adventure for those with young children. The Klamath River has fun, bouncy rapids, warm swimming holes, diverse wildlife and a range of recreational opportunities. For young children or the less intrepid adventurer, this river is also a great place to learn how to use an inflatable kayak. We offer a 3-day Lower Klamath Rafting trip (Class II) which your kids will just rave about!
California Whitewater Rafting Adventures for Everyone
The Tuolumne River, less than four hours from the San Francisco Bay Area and minutes from the northern entrance to Yosemite National Park, is the crowned jewel of California whitewater rafting trips. The Tuolumne River cascades through a spectacular Wild and Scenic river canyon offering a true outdoor adventure experience. Our Tuolumne River rafting trips are ideal for first-time campers, as we typically stop for the night at comfy, cozy riverside locations. We offer 1-day Tuolumne rafting options as well as a 2-day and a relaxing 3-day trip which includes sidehikes up the river canyon. Tuolumne River rafting trips are rated Class IV with one or two rapids reaching Class V during spring runoff periods.
Whitewater rafting the Middle Fork of the American River offers what will surely be the most memorable rapid of your life: Tunnel Chute. This section of the American River in California drops down a chute approximately 15 feet steep over a distance of 80 feet, concluding with a big drop into frothy, churning water, then passing through a 90-ft long tunnel. And that’s just one of six Class IV rapids on the Middle Fork American. O.A.R.S. offers a scenic one-day trip rafting the Middle Fork American.
California rafting on the Merced River, is a spring must-do. The Merced River is located alongside Highway 140 near Yosemite National Park's Arch Rock Entrance. The Merced River is famous for its fun rollercoaster wave trains. In the early spring, abundant wildflowers found along the river’s hillsides and alongside the South Fork of the Merced River provide a stunning backdrop for an easy, wonderful hike. Toss in a trip to Yosemite Valley to witness dramatic waterfalls and call your California vacation getaway a homerun. We offer a one-day Merced River rafting adventure with rapids rated Class III-IV with some Merced rapids reaching Class V during spring runoff periods.
White Water Rafting in California: Excitement for the Adrenaline-Infused
A Class IV white water rafting trip on the North Fork American River is just the chaser to a spring skiing vacation in Lake Tahoe and is easily combined with a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. The North Fork of the American River in California is located near Auburn just off Interstate 80. This section of the American River offers aquamarine waters, towering rock walls, spectacular displays of spring wildflowers and some of the most challenging white water rapids in the American River system. We offer a 1-day North Fork American River trip between April and June.
Think you’re ready for big-time River Rafting in California? Test your fear-factor-fortitude on the North Fork Stanislaus River, where you will paddle through the most technical Class IV, boulder-strewn rapids in California. The Stanislaus River in the high sierras flows through the Giant Sequoia trees of Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and is just down the hill from Bear Valley Mountain Resort. This classic and unique Class IV+ 1-day rafting trip on the Stanislaus River will give you an adrenaline surge like none other!
California Winetasting and Rafting—What Could be Better?
Long before Napa Valley was the center of the California wine country, the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada were home to some of the most scenic and fruitful California wineries in the state. Prohibition changed that–the wineries in the former Gold Rush area folded. However, the Sierra Foothills near Sacramento are experiencing a rebirth in the wine industry, with more than 150 wineries located throughout the region. O.A.R.S. would like to introduce you to some of these award-winning wines on our two-day, mid-week escape–Winetasting and rafting on the South Fork of the American River (located approximately three hours from the Bay Area and one hour from Sacramento). Also worth sampling are our multi-day, award-winning California Wine on the River adventures combining rafting on the Tuolumne River with gourmet meals prepared by renowned chefs and eclectic California wines presented by local vintners.
California Adventure Vacation— Rafting, Yosemite Hiking & Sightseeing Fun for All
The soaring granite cliffs, countless free-falling waterfalls and giant sequoia groves of Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beckon travelers to the heart of the Sierra Nevada Range. O.A.R.S. offers a uniquely active California hiking and rafting adventure in Yosemite. Hike with local naturalists amongst some of the largest living organisms on the planet and make the ascent up Half Dome, the West's most iconic rock formation. Top it all off with two days of Class IV rafting on the world-class whitewater of the Tuolumne River and you have the quintessential California outdoor adventure.
Got questions? Need to check availability for a trip? Ready to book your next adventure? Our friendly and experienced O.A.R.S. Adventure Consultants pride themselves in helping you find your ideal adventure vacation. Call 1-800-346-6277 or email info@oars.com today to discuss your many options.
“I’ve known all along that more of what I am seeking in the wilds is right here in my home state of California than anywhere else on earth. But…I couldn’t say it with authority until I had all those journeys to Tibet, Nepal, Pakistan, China, South America, Antarctica, and Alaska behind me.” Galen Rowell
O.A.R.S is a member of the California Rafting Alliance at RaftingCalifornia.org
