California Whitewater Rafting and Multi-Sport Adventures
Join O.A.R.S. for a classic California white water adventure rafting the American River, Merced, Toulumne, Klamath or Stanislaus River. Or consider a family vacation with us at our Sierra Nevada Adventure Camp or our California Multisport Adventure. O.A.R.S. has been providing California whitewater rafting and adventure travel vacations for nearly 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 CA 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 rafting guides will carefully guide you down these scenic rivers and O.A.R.S. uses high-quality, impeccably 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!
O.A.R.S. California Rafting Trips
Family Rafting and Beginner Trips: American River Rafting & Klamath River Whitewater
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 day American River rafting on the South Fork 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, easy, bouncy rapids, warm swimming holes, diverse wildlife and 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 Klamath Rafting trip (Class II) which your kids will just rave about!
California Whitewater Rafting Adventures for Everyone
Rafting 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 close to home. 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 rafting trips are rated Class IV with one or two Tuolumne rapids reaching Class V in spring runoff periods with heavy rain and snow melt.
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 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’. Abundant wildflowers found along the river’s hillsides and alongside the South Fork 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 in spring runoff periods with heavy rain and snow melt..
California White Water Rafting 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 fine dining in the San Francisco Bay Area. The North Fork of the American River in California is located near Auburn just off Hwy 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 California whitewater? 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 California flows through the Giant Sequoia trees of Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and is just down 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!
Whitewater rafting on the Upper Klamath River is a great option for rafting enthusiasts with more experience. The Upper Klamath River is located in a volcanic valley near the California and Oregon border and has 30 major rapids stretching over 24 miles (that’s a lot) with an average gradient of more than 40 feet per mile (that’s steep). This Class IV+ 2-day Upper Klamath Rafting Adventure combines the best of Northern California scenic wilderness, big water excitement and relaxing camping for a classic California rafting escape you will remember for years.
Paddling the Wild and Scenic California Salmon River (aka "Cal Salmon") is for Class V rafting experts only. This Cal Salmon run will put you to the test, literally, to make sure you are prepared for the Slammin’ Salmon’s Class V whitewater rapids. A 2 day California Salmon Rafting trip which is sure to make you smile as you remember learning to raft backwards down Freight Train and other Cal Salmon technical challenges!
California Winetasting and Rafting : What Could be Better?
Long before Napa Valley was the center of the California wine country in California, 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 is 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 to be sampled 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 Vacations: Multi-Sport Fun for All
Allow us to show you the Sierra Nevada’s most pristine areas where O.A.R.S. guides and employees live and play every day of their lives. From rolling golden hills of poppies, quaint Sierra wineries and giant Sequoias to some of the best singe-track riding, rock climbing, lake kayaking and whitewater rafting in the state, our California Multi-Sport Adventure (5 days) is quintessential California outdoor adventuring at its absolute finest and just ideal for those looking for a California adventure vacation..
Four days in the Sierra Nevada Foothills spent hiking, swimming, whitewater rafting, gold panning, playing horseshoes and volleyball creates the ideal environment for some wonderful family bonding on our Sierra Nevada Family Adventure Camp.
Got questions? Need to check availability for a trip? Ready to book your trip? 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.
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Thinking about a vacation in California?
If California isn’t the whitewater rafting, 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. (Only Alaska has more – they have 11.)
- 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, which still exist, 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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“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
Have you run the wild ones?
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