Address: 44850 Comptche Ukiah Rd, Mendocino, CA 95460
Parking: Free parking at the address above. Drive down the road past the Stanford Inn until you can’t drive any further and there is a parking area next to the entrance to Catch-A-Canoe.
Fee: Fee is $55 per adult or $30 per child (ages 6-17) for up to 3 hours. For anything over 3 hours, additional fees apply. Dogs ride free. Life jackets and waterproof bags provided for humans and dogs, free of charge. If you stay at the Stanford Inn nextdoor, you'll receive a 10% discount.
Hours: 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Type: Canoe Ride
Dog Rules: Well behaved dogs allowed to ride for free. If you encounter harbor seals, you must stay 100-feet away. My dog is a good swimmer, but I brought along a life jacket for her to wear just in case. 
Best time to visit: Anytime, if it isn’t a hot day, as you will be fully exposed to sunlight during your trip. Choose a day to visit and make a reservation on their website or call ahead (707-937-0273) to make sure a boat is available. Their friendly staff will recommend the best time of day to visit. Tides are irregular, so they will recommend the perfect window when the tides are most agreeable.
 
Description: Paddle down the Big River, in a specially made dog-friendly outrigger canoe. This is a modified 3-seater with a platform in the middle, where your dog can comfortably sit or stand. 2 people can fit in addition to your dog, with one in the front, one in the back, and your dog in the middle. The canoe is equipped with platforms on either side, which makes it very steady. The person sitting in the back has a foot pedal for steering, so both people can row on either side. The river flows 55 miles from the coast into Mendocino Bay. Most, if not all, of your visit will probably be in the first 4 miles, which are tidal. The river is lined with towering, vibrant green trees and sandy beaches. Many birds feed on the shore and fly above. You will paddle through kelp and you will be able to see the river bottom through much of your paddle, as the sides are not very deep. You might even be lucky enough to spot some harbor seals or sea otters on the beaches. Bailey did exceptionally well on the canoe (her first trip), once she realized it was steady. She sat or laid down for most of the ride, sniffing the wind and watching the birds on the shore. She even fell asleep during part of the paddle. The initial ride was easy, as we were paddling with the tide, but the paddle back had strenuous portions as we paddled against the tide. I recommend calling ahead and visiting during the recommended easiest time frame, when the tides are agreeable. After your canoe ride, you can stretch your feet on a walk through the beautiful gardens next to the Stanford Inn. Walk up from where you parked towards the entrance, and you will see the gardens on your left. Dogs are also allowed on dirt trails in the nearby Mendocino Headlands State Park. Dogs are required to be on leash. 

Click here for more info on Catch-A-Canoe

​2nd visit, August 2022: