It has always been an item on my bucket list to see bioluminescent plankton. However I held very…read morelittle hope of ever seeing it because it was my understanding that you never know when or where it'll ever appear. So when my wife mentioned that Napa Valley Paddle was doing a guided kayak tour though bioluminescent waters in Tomales Bay I had no choice but to book a trip. I've been kayaking exactly twice before and both times on lakes in broad daylight. So I was a little nervous about kayaking in a salt water bay in the dark. Hopefully the water is smooth and it doesn't get too choppy for my wife and I. Also, I had low expectations, maybe the plankton won't be there that night, and if it is, it's probably a very subtle glow that you almost have to use your imagination to see. When we arrived we found ourselves in a parking lot at the Miller Boat Launch in Marshall. We got some basic instructions on kayaking, given life vests and whistles and headlamps set to red light to wear backwards. It was all pretty laid back and chill. As the sun went away and the fog came in we paddled out to Hog Island and by the time we were close to it, it was dark enough that some people were beginning to see the water light up. Fortunately the water was very calm and it was comforting to see all the red headlamps on the water to guide us on our way. We paddked clear across the bay to the other side where there were cliffs making the water especially dark there. This is where we turned off all of our lights. There was no subtlety at all, it was nothing less than magical. The water lit up with every paddle and every splash. It was a smooth blue glow in the dark with occasional spatks mixed in. We spent a good while paddling around and splashing and generally bring awed by the trippy water. Then it was time to start heading back, the goal was to paddle around the other side of Hog Island where the water is also very fun to look at. However the water glowed the whole way there even. Unfortunately this is also when conditions changed. We had a nasty headwind and the water got choppy. We were seriously worried we might capsize as we paddled like crazy to get to the island again. When we finally got there, we were done. We just wanted was to get back to the car and go home and drink hot coacoa. So we kept on paddling as hard as we could while we struggled to keep the kayak heading in the right direction. People were starting to scatter and soon the only lights to follow were at the boat launch we came from. Whether that actually was the boat launch was debatable but it was the only indication of civilization so we kept heading in that direction. Maybe it was because we were heavier than anyone else or perhaps we just couldn't paddle very well but we lagged behind in the dark. To make things even more interesting the conditions continued to worsen. We had to fight the wind and the choppy water harder as we made that last leg of the paddle back to shore. Fortunately the lights we were aiming for did happen to be where we needed to land and although we missed the dock we did get to shore soaked but not dreched and we managed to actually make it without going into the drink. Needless to say, it became an adventure however no one could have predicted conditions would change like they did. Apparently under typical conditions we would have had a tail wind and that part of the trip should have been the easy part. A professional paddle boarder who was with our group told us those conditions were "insane" and it was not something she would have willingly attempted unless it was over a short distance in daylight. So we feel better about ourselves having a hard time making it back. I'm very glad we did this, it's a beautiful memory, and a great story to tell, and I highly recommend going.

We met Tanya downtown at the river walk and she set us up with a Fagan Marsh kayak trip the next…read moreday. Loved talking with Drew beforehand, learning about wetland restoration efforts and how quickly nature can rebound. The slough was peaceful and sparkling on this sunny October afternoon. We observed cranes and fish nibbling at surface snacks. In the distance, you can see Mount Tam and a bit closer--the Brazos railroad bridge. While there is much to see and do in Napa, this experience at the end of our trip was a definite highlight.

We had a really nice time staying here. I met Ace, Rochelle and Amber. They all seemed very…read morefriendly and helpful. I recommend bug spray because I came home with alot of bites.

Beautiful place like going fishing here vary nice people everybody is vary nice but the docks are…read morevary unstable so be careful it needs to be replaced but other then that it's a Great place

It's free, and it is a fun adventure. But the operators are…read morebored, rude, and disrespectful. And it is unclear if you are allowed to get out of your car for any reason. Signage is vague. Needs improvement.

Ran by Cal-trans. Quick and easy AND FREE! Using the ferry can save you an hour or more. It was so…read morevery cool to beat our friends to our campsite because their RV was too big to ride..

Great place to explore! We hardly saw any birds mid March, but a friend told me when they went they…read morecould barely hear because the birds were making so much noise!! So depends on the season I guess. Beautiful and green. Weren't too many people on a weekday around 10. Really nice paved paths and also a flat dirt trail. I was able to take my toddlers stroller bike just fine. I would come back! I would avoid summer though because I could see it getting hot! Bring bug spray!!!!!

Funny it's been exactly 6 years since my last review. My how time flies! I walk here often. It's…read morenot easy to get here since the road has been washed out on Franklin for years. The detour on the freeway is worth the trip. Go to their website to inquire about guided tours and other activities. A great, low key place to walk. No crazy elevations. They are porta potties and no dogs are allowed (it is a preserve) so plan accordingly. Check out the visitors center for trail information. A great nature and learning walk for children as well. Enjoy nature!

Daniella was an amazing guide ask for her!! Extremely knowledgeable and safe!! Thanks for the great…read moreday!!

I decided I wanted to take the kids I nanny (11 & 13) to do something fun and unique and thought…read morewhy not finally cross off whitewater rafting from my bucket list?! We were gifted a beautiful day on the river with multiple sightings of wildlife including fish jumping, ducklings, geese, and even a bald eagle! The best part was getting to see the kids do something, get scared, have a blast doing it, and then ask to come back for more intensity next time. I really appreciated the guides for their hospitality, humor, and kindness. However my main piece of feedback would be a friendly reminder that nature and outdoor recreational activities are a form of escape and respite from our every day life, so being more mindful of the topics of conversation brought up during the ride is very important to the atmosphere.

I had an absolute amazing experience here today! My friends and I decided to book a time slot last…read morenight, and rent paddle boards today. We arrived, filled out the waiver, got the boards put on my car, and were on our way within about 20 min. The staff were so sweet and helpful, teaching us how to load the boards on and getting us everything we needed. We were enjoying the boards so much we called and asked to add on an extra hour, and they let us! From start to finish, renting the boards was so easy and so worth it. The prices are totally fair as well. I will totally be coming back here soon, thank you!!

Super helpful and friendly service. They helped load and unload everything and helped with…read moreselection and tips for a great day on the lake. Will rent again!

Whitewater Adventures provided a fun experience for us! This was my first time whitewater rafting…read moreand the staff did a great job in providing a memorable time for us. They did an amazing job in showing us the basics and were helpful in times when we needed help. Along with that, I love how they provided food and activities to do afterwards. I would go again and would recommend it!

I had an amazing time with Whitewater Adventures. This was honestly one of the most fun and…read morememorable group trips I've done. I went with a group of 10, last July, and it ended up being such a chaotic (in the best way) and bonding experience. We still talk about it to this day. They also offer a group discount, which is worth looking into and made it feel like a really good value for everything included. All of us were first-timers, so we were definitely a little nervous going in, but the staff made it feel really welcoming right away. They gave a quick crash course/overview on how to navigate the water and what to expect, which helped ease a lot of the nerves. I'd say it's very beginner-friendly, just keep in mind it is a Class 2-3 course, so there are still some rocky and more exciting sections. The rafting is self-guided, so there's no guide on your raft, but there is a sweeper raft at the end making sure everyone gets through safely. There was also one section where the rapids got pretty wild, and staff were there helping anyone who got stuck, which I appreciated. Overall, everything felt organized and ran smoothly. We did the 2-day experience, and I'd recommend it if you're comfortable with camping. The overnight stay is outdoors, so just something to keep in mind if you're not used to that. The campsite had a really social vibe with a happy hour, group activities, and just people hanging out, which made it even more fun. The food was honestly better than I expected. We had steak and baked potatoes for dinner, and a breakfast burrito station in the morning. During the rafting, there were also a lot of scenic spots along the way where you could rest and take everything in. I remember passing by what used to be a volcanic site, which was really cool to see. Each raft comes with a waterproof bag for your belongings and lunch, but I'd recommend bringing extra snacks, water or electrolytes, sunscreen, and good water shoes. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this for friend groups, especially if it's your first time rafting. It's a great mix of fun, a little bit of challenge, and just a really unique experience. My friends and I are already planning to go again this year.