Petaluma River Upstream High Tide Paddle

What's in your calendar that can be accessed right downtown, no fuss, no muss, and yet gets you out into the heart of nature?
Experience Petaluma from the river, at high tide!
Magically, with the rising tide, our origin waterway, known to us as "Petaluma’s Longest Park", opens into a quieter, glowing world.
Join The Floathouse crew for a gentle, guided paddle upstream on stable, sit-on-top kayaks. With extra water beneath us, we’re able to glide beyond the downtown channel and into a tranquil tidal slough—the beginning of the park and the headwaters journey, though how far we travel depends on the tide.
As you face upstream, paddle through calm, lush stretches of river that are often out of reach. Watch for egrets and herons, maybe spy turtles along the banks, and bask in the light skittering across this brackish, tidal waterway. The pace is relaxed, the water is calm, and the experience is deeply grounding.
Along the way, our guide shares stories of the river’s ecology and human history—how this upper channel shaped Petaluma, and how it continues to connect the community today.
Good to know:
• Beginner-friendly, no experience needed
• Calm water + relaxed pace
• Route varies with the tide
• Small-group, guided experience
High tide, easy paddling, quiet and calm. What could be better?