Enjoy a Day of Whitewater Rafting Near Santa Cruz—We’re Practically In Your Backyard!
Santa Cruz in itself is a tourist attraction amongst many other great offerings. Located on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, it offers great beaches, a moderate coastal climate, redwood forests, alternative community lifestyles, and socially liberal leanings. It is also home UC Santa Cruz which is a premier research institution, as well the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which is an oceanfront amusement park that has been operating continuously since 1907.
But what Santa Cruz does not have is whitewater river rafting. When you are looking to take a break from the coast and come inland, come to the Sierra Nevada mountains and join American River Recreation for an exciting day of whitewater river rafting. We offer a number of whitewater rafting trips for people of all ages and skill levels. We offer Class II and III whitewater rafting trips that your family can enjoy, and for those of you looking to boost your adrenaline we offer great Class IV whitewater rafting experiences.
American River Recreation has been providing fun-filled days of whitewater rafting to the residents and visitors of Santa Cruz since 1979.
- Middle Fork American—3:15 hours (181) from Santa Cruz
- Merced River—3:12 hour drive (166 miles) from Santa Cruz
- South Fork American—3:30 hours (190 miles) from Santa Cruz
- North Fork American—3:30 hours (190 miles) from Santa Cruz
- Kaweah River—4:00 hour drive (231 miles) from Santa Cruz
Whitewater Rafting Trips Less than an Hour Drive from Santa Cruz
Besides Natural Bridges State Beach, incredible coast lines, and beautiful redwood forests, Santa Cruz has a great downtown district filled with shopping, nightlife and restaurants. There is also countless parks, beaches, greenbelt districts and marine protected areas that are easily accessible to visitors and residents alike.
While you’re in Santa Cruz, take a day to enjoy an exciting whitewater rafting trip with American River Recreation. We offer rafting trips for people of all skills levels and supply everything you need to make your day memorable. Within three hours you could be on class Class II and III whitewater rafting trips that your family can enjoy, or a Class IV whitewater rafting trip for more adventurous and experienced rafters.