A Kayaking Journey in Northern California
Northern California is a region of remarkable diversity and natural beauty, stretching from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to wine country and the redwood forests.
Exploring Mendocino County
With so much to see and do, it was difficult deciding where to begin my trip. In the end, I decided to make the drive from San Francisco International Airport to Mendocino County. Nestled along California's rugged northern coast, Mendocino County is a gem of natural beauty and eclectic charm. Known for its dramatic cliffs, lush forests, and sweeping ocean vistas, the region offers a stunning contrast to the more populated areas of the state. The Mendocino coastline is particularly well-known for its rugged shoreline, with craggy rock formations and hidden coves that beg to be explored. This area is also famous for its small towns, where Victorian architecture and local art create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
Of course, the primary reason I headed to Mendocino County was to explore some of the world-class paddling that the region offers, which is why I hooked up with Jeff and Cate Laxier, two local kayaking experts. Simply put, no one knows the Mendocino coast by kayak better than these two.
The village of Mendocino overlooks the dramatic Pacific Coast. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy a meal, and soak up the Northern California way of life.
The Mendocino Coast is inspiring to explore from the top of the bluffs, but playing around the rock gardens in a kayak is a truly magical experience.
Pacific swells roll in steadily to explode upon the cliff walls. In some spots, the swells pass over shallow reefs that create ideal surf waves for the experienced and brave.
Surfing the “Chicken Wave” – a large wave that requires full commitment to catch, but that delivers an amazing ride for those that do go for it.
I stayed at the SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm – one of the many great lodging choices along the coast.
Mendocino has much more than a gorgeous coastline to explore, and it would be crazy not to make time to visit one of the local wineries. I visited the Goldeneye Winery in the hills that lead down to the coast.
One of the other highlights of visiting Mendocino County is hiking through the towering redwood forests.
I only had three days in Mendocino, which turned out only to be enough to get a small taste of how much the region has to offer, which means I’ll be back. Although it was hard to leave so soon, I was excited to see another part of Northern California, as I made my way to the Shasta Cascade region.
Exploring the Shasta Cascade Region of Northern California
The Shasta Cascade region in Northern California is about four hours northeast of Mendocino County, and is centered around the towering, snow-covered Mount Shasta. The region features a mix of rugged mountains, crystal clear lakes, rushing rivers, and lush forests. It’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all types, which is exactly what lured me in.
A favorite outdoor pastime in the Shasta Cascade region is chasing waterfalls. There are countless breathtaking waterfalls within an easy hike. The question is – which ones to visit? This is Hedge Creek Falls, and our first stop on our waterfall tour.
Middle McCloud Falls is one of three stunning waterfalls along a short hiking trail alongside the McCloud River. It’s a beautiful hike with an epic view at the end of it.
One of the incredible mountain views in the Shasta Cascade region.
While in the Shasta Cascade region, I had the pleasure of staying at both Home2 Suites by Hilton Redding in Redding and Strawhouse Resorts in Junction City.
Kayaking the Trinity River
After a day of hiking, I was excited to hit the water again, and so we made our way to the Trinity River – one of the most popular whitewater rafting and kayaking rivers in the Pacific Northwest. I hooked up with George Williams Sr. from Trinity River Rafting to run the river.
The Trinity River winds its way through the Cascade Mountains. It was early season, and so the water level was fairly high, but the nice thing about the Trinity River is that it flows all summer long.
Despite how intimidating the rapids look, the water on the Trinity River is cool, clear, big and friendly. I used the same Pyranha ScorchX whitewater kayak that I used on the Mendocino Coast to make my way down.
The Trinity River rapids are characterized by big, fun wave trains – ideal waters for both whitewater rafting and kayaking.
While I count myself lucky to have spent a week exploring Northern California, it only whet my appetite. I’m looking forward to returning and discovering more of what this part of the world has to offer, while soaking up the sun and the relaxing Northern California way of life.
Special thanks to Visit California for making this adventure possible!
Happy paddling!
Ken Whiting
