Have a dog who loves water? Why not let her serve as first mate in a dog-friendly canoe? Russian River Adventures, Sonoma County's premiere dog-passionate eco-adventure outfitter, welcomes four-paw passengers in its SOAR inflatable canoes. Since 2003, thousands of dogs and their owners have enjoyed awesome days dog-paddling down the Russian River in these tough and stable crafts.
With a picnic lunch packed and a shuttle at the ready, you’ll be set to enjoy a secluded and otherwise hard-to-access section of the river, starting at Memorial Beach in Healdsburg. The nine-mile excursion includes about three hours of actual paddle time, but most parties make a day of it. Fido can splash and romp almost anywhere along the mostly rural route, as can his people.
Swimming holes and beaches are plentiful, and the pace is all your own. Trips take out at Wohler Bridge, and a shuttle service back to town is provided.
As a bonus, Healdsburg is one of Northern California’s most dog-friendly towns, offering many options for dining, wine-tasting and exploring with your pet.
"We offer one of the most fun days a dog and his owner can have," says owner and veteran river rat Larry Laba.
