California whitewater - San Lorenzo River, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz county, Felton to Ocean at Santa Cruz section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-IV     6 miles   The natural beauty of California and the cool fresh water attract people from near and far. The average California whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be a bit harder to master than those in other states, so keep in mind that the rivers in this state are less manageable. A bit of exercise and a chance to spend some time outdoors are sure to keep you coming back for more. No need to look hard for hotels, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. The beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains scenery is an added bonus. This stretch     is mid length, suitable for an afternoon trip. If you're coming from Santa Cruz-Watsonville it's not a long drive at all to the put-in location, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. This section of San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz County is 6 miles long and is a class III-IV section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. Whether you're whitewater rafting or kayaking this area has a pretty small number of paddling places. There are a few other stretches in this river system that can be paddled as well. There are campgrounds quite near the river where you can camp. Briefly about the general area: Beaches are nice; and Cowell Beach near San Lorenzo River is no exception; going for a hike on the Rincon Fire Road Trail is always a fine adventure. If you come to this river   you will have a good time for sure. Life's too short to enjoy all the entertaining stuff in the Santa Cruz Mountains. A day at Santa Cruz Beach close to San Lorenzo River is time well spent; do take some time to go to Cathedral Redwoods if you're here. San Lorenzo River generally gets a great deal of precipitation; of all the months in a year January is the one with the most rain; July meanwhile is the driest month. During the months of summer highs here at San Lorenzo River get into the 70's, and during the night it cools down to the 50's. The wintertime comes with highs in the 50's with temperatures at San Lorenzo River dipping down into the 30's during winter nights. San Lorenzo River, Felton to Ocean at Santa Cruz road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: III-IV Length: 6 miles    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 37.0527 Longitude: -122.0713 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.9659 Longitude: -122.01171 Paddler input for San Lorenzo River, California: Bob: It's a good run but with a very short season. On days of very heavy rain during the rainy season it's a real whitewater river but most of the year it's a collection of stillwater pools connected with rocky unrunnable wet thingies. This picture is how it looks most of the year but during heavy rains the water is way higher. Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at San Lorenzo River, Santa Cruz Mountains, California Local climate location: PALO ALTO 14 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. University Inn, Santa Cruz Whether you are visiting for business or pleasure, we hope you take advantage of all the UCSC Inn has to offer. After your busy day, relax beside the pool or in our spa. Or perhaps you'd like to work ... Best Western Inn, Santa Cruz 2 miles away Whether you have plans to come to Santa Cruz for business or pleasure, the Best Western Inn Santa Cruz can offer you the right services. We are centered in the ideal location that allows you to visit ... Comfort Inn Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz 2 miles away Convenient location in Santa Cruz where Route 1 and 17 come into town. Resort, 2-story-style complex with ample space and parking. Outdoor heated pool, hot tub and sauna on the premises. Walking dista...   Santa Cruz Mountains Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Santa Cruz Mountains Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the Santa Cruz Mountains. All California Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in California. Books about whitewater paddling on San Lorenzo River, California List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on San Lorenzo River, California. Find a whitewater outfitter in California Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California, the metro area neareast to San Lorenzo River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near San Lorenzo River.   Whitewater Near San Lorenzo River: San Lorenzo River, Santa Cruz County , 6 miles away, Class II - 9.1 miles long (Boulder Creek to Felton) Pescadero Creek, San Mateo County , 20 miles away, Class II - 9 miles long (Portola State Park to Memorial County Park)   Ski Areas Near San Lorenzo River: Dodge Ridge, California , 158 miles away, 1600 vertical feet Bear Valley, California , 160 miles away, 1900 vertical feet Kirkwood, California , 165 miles away, 2000 vertical feet Sierra at Tahoe, California , 168 miles away, 2212 vertical feet Badger Pass, California , 168 miles away, 800 vertical feet Royal Gorge, California , 170 miles away, 1600 vertical feet Soda Springs, California , 172 miles away, 652 vertical feet Alpine Meadows, California , 172 miles away, 1802 vertical feet Sugar Bowl, California , 173 miles away, 1500 vertical feet Homewood, California , 173 miles away, 1650 vertical feet   Beaches Near San Lorenzo River: Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz County , 3 miles away Santa Cruz Beach, Santa Cruz County , 3 miles away Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz County , 3 miles away Twin Lakes Beach, Santa Cruz County , 4 miles away Wilder Beach, Santa Cruz County , 4 miles away   Hotels Near San Lorenzo River: University Inn, Santa Cruz , 0 miles away Best Western Inn, Santa Cruz , 2 miles away Comfort Inn Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz , 2 miles away Inn at Pasatiempo, Santa Cruz , 2 miles away Quality Inn Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz , 2 miles away   Camp Grounds Near San Lorenzo River: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Santa Cruz, 2 miles away Cotillion Gardens Trailer Park, Felton, 2 miles away Smithwoods RV Park, Felton, 2 miles away   Trails Near San Lorenzo River: Rincon Fire Road Trail, Santa Cruz County , 1 miles away,  1.6 hiking miles, 205 feet elevation difference Summit Trail, San Mateo County , 18 miles away,  3 hiking miles, 506 feet elevation difference Sequoia Nature Trail, San Mateo County , 18 miles away,  .4 hiking miles, 32 feet elevation difference Butano Ridge Loop Trail, San Mateo County , 18 miles away,  4.2 hiking miles, 1656 feet elevation difference Coyote Ridge Trail, San Mateo County , 19 miles away, 1.2 hiking miles, 549 feet elevation difference   National Parks Near San Lorenzo River: Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail, San Francisco - CA , 44 miles away Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco - CA , 51 miles away   Golf Courses Near San Lorenzo River: Pasatiempo Golf Club, Santa Cruz , 1 miles away Scotts Valley Golf Course, Scotts Valley , 2 miles away De Laveaga Golf Course & Lodge, Santa Cruz , 3 miles away   Lakes Near San Lorenzo River