By Joe Kukura

 

As spring fever spreads sunshine, wildflowers and chances for outdoor activities, beach and water sports fans should get set to get wet in Marin County’s oceans and bays. Spring breakers will want to break for this Northern California getaway destination, where some of the country’s most iconic mountain coastlines serve as a backdrop for world-class kayaking and water sports.

Marin County features water experiences with some of the most majestic Pacific Ocean and California mountain views, with attractions like Point Reyes National Seashore, China Camp State Park and Corte Madera Creek. Here are a few of the best water events this spring in Marin County, plus places you can paddle every weekend.

 

Kayaking

A Marin County kayak tour is a phone call (or web click) away at Blue Waters Kayaking, the oldest and only full-service kayaking outfitter in Point Reyes. Anyone from beginner to expert-level kayakers can enjoy guided tours through the famed waterways of Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay.

Blue Waters Kayaking offers half- or full-day kayaking tours as well as guided overnight campouts. It can also provide memorable experiences in the California mountains with custom design tours, retreats and getaway opportunities that can include hiking, birding and even oysters.

 

Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboarding is one of California’s hottest outdoor crazes. 101 Surf Sports specializes in stand-up paddleboarding, but also offers gear and lessons for windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing and kayaking.

101 Surf Sports provides stand-up paddle tours and kayak tours all year-round. But in the spring months, it presents a special season of kiteboarding and windsurfing downwind runs.

 

Exploring a Watersport

Windsurfing in the San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most exhilarating water sports there is. While it is possible to teach yourself, getting lessons can really make it more fun, and easier to accomplish.

101 Surf Sports is proud to offer private lessons taught by two-time windsurfing World Champion, Cort Larned. Whether you are a beginner looking for their first-ever windsurfing experience or a seasoned sailor looking to nail full planing gybes Cort can get you there. Cort's years of experience teaching and being the instructional editor for Windsurfing Magazine mean you will get windsurfing quickly and safely. 

Classes are taught via boat or thru land-based instruction and are available throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily launching from the San Rafael 101 Surf Sport locations.

 

Boating

Friday, April 22nd is Earth Day and the weekend ends with Opening Day on the Bay. There are three great Marin County boat tour opportunities, with a morning marine parade, an afternoon jaunt in the Pacific or a sunset cruise.

Sails are available in celebration of Earth Day. Don't miss The Earth Day Afternoon Wildlife Sail on April 22nd at 2:15 pm as the Freda B sets a course across the San Francisco Bay, with plenty of Earth Day encounters with Pacific coast mountain scenery and marine wildlife.

There’s also a California Sunset Cruise (6:30p.m.) the same day on the Red and White Fleet that supplements a spectacular sunset with a cruise under both of San Francisco's incredible bridges; the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge. They won't forget to take you past the famous Alcatraz Island as well! 

Blue Waters Kayaking will have available a Bioluminescence Tour in accordance with Earth Day. On dark (moonless) nights on Tomales Bay, bluish-white flickers are visible in the water column, which comes from blooms of bioluminescent “dinoflagellates”. Watch schools of fish in the bay create a phosphorescent trail that can look like a glowing cloud in the water. Please note: Bioluminescence is a naturally occurring phenomenon and they can not guarantee that you will see Bioluminescence.  They schedule these trips when there are the most ideal viewing conditions.

Opening Day on the Bay begins early on Sunday, April 24. It is a San Francisco Bay celebration of boats that you can join aboard the 80-foot Schooner Freda B. The day begins at 10:15 a.m. with a blessing of the fleet, continues as the schooner joins a parade of ships, then sets off on a sail throughout the bay. Your ticket includes a gourmet lunch and homemade Mimosas. The Deck Bar will also be open.

The Mathew Turner is a 132' Brigantine sailing out of Sausalito for Opening Day on the Bay at 10:00am. You are welcome to join them for the traditional blessing of the fleet and the San Francisco Bay opening day parade followed by a sail.

Don’t settle for the same old washed-up weekend getaway when you can see some of the world’s most famous scenery in Marin County. You’ll harbor great feelings toward Marin County with a memorable getaway to its wonderful waters, so make plans to set sail for the sunny side of the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

For all you need to plan your Marin County vacation, visit the Marin Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website or Facebook page.