kayaking the Lower Napa River
  

Are you looking for an unforgettable paddling adventure? Look no further. The lower seventeen miles of the Napa River, from Trancas Street in Napa to Vallejo, including about 6-miles inside the city limits of Napa, are part of the most significant estuary system on the west coast. The Napa River is one of the largest Central Coast Range Rivers, draining 426 sq. miles on its 50-mile journey from Mt. St. Helena to the San Pablo Bay.

The Napa River provides a peaceful, picturesque setting for a pleasant paddle with warmer weather than you’ll find anywhere else on the water this close to San Francisco. Napa River’s waterways provide a scenic setting for exploration. In addition to beautiful views, kayakers can paddle almost any time of year. Finding a kayak destination with the right weather conditions always makes the paddling outing more enjoyable. Spring and early summer wildflower displays bring even more color to the landscape. Both birds and wildflowers are abundant, with spring blooms providing splotches of brilliant color in the clearings.

The Napa River is a tidal influenced river. Take tidal currents and water levels into account when planning a visit to here. The Napa River is a tidal body of water that flows north from San Pablo Bay. It is therefore subject to the tide table and wind conditions. Plan your trip accordingly upon referencing the day’s tidal flow. The daily tides influence the Napa River as far north as Trancas Street. Paddlers need to pay attention to the tides and locate the mudflats to avoid getting stranded.

Even though most of the Napa River is sheltered from the winds that much of the Bay Area experiences, keep in mind, paddling against the wind and tide, can turn a pleasant paddle into a marathon workout, where you may feel as though you are making zero headway against the current and wind.

Map of Napa RIver

  
 
 
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