Travellers from the Middle East have been invited to make the most of California’s wetter-than-normal winter, when adventure seekers and nature lovers can raft rivers, hike to waterfalls, row on lakes, and catch fish.

Visit California, a non-profit organisation with a mission to develop the state into a premier tourism destination, has drawn up a list of water activities for travellers:

Waterfalls

As melting snow and rain release more water into rivers and creeks, California’s waterfalls swell and offer a spectacular experience. Summer is a great time to visit Yosemite Valley’s misty marvels—Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and more – plus the national park’s lesser-known waterfalls like Chilnualna Falls near Wawona and Wapama Falls at Hetch Hetchy.

Other bucket-list waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada Mountains include Roaring River Falls in Kings Canyon National Park, Angel Falls in Sierra National Forest near Bass Lake, and Rainbow Falls in Devils Postpile National Monument.

Farther north, Redding’s Whiskeytown Falls, Lake Shasta’s Potem Falls, and the trio of falls on the McCloud River can become mighty given the right conditions. 

Southern California’s cataracts are also known for being capable of putting on a big show. East of Los Angeles, Millard Canyon Falls, Eaton Canyon Falls, and Switzer Falls are the main attractions.

Near Big Bear Lake, Big Falls is often fed by deep snow melting off Mount San Gorgonio. San Diego County has its share of cascades as well. Reserve a permit to visit 80-foot Cedar Creek Falls near Ramona, or take an easy trek to Green Valley Falls in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

Heavy snow seasons also mean temporary closures of roads or trails, so Visit California is advising visitors to check before heading out.

Canoe Tours

Crafted from giant redwood logs, canoes have played a key role in the cultural lives of the Yurok people. In fact, there’s no better way to appreciate traditional Yurok culture in Del Norte County then to head out on the Klamath River, located about 60 miles north of Eureka, on one of the tribe’s guided Redwood Yurok Canoe Tours.

Billed as the world’s only redwood canoe tours, these two- or four-hour journeys take you up the Klamath and into the world of the Yurok, while experienced guides present accounts of tribal culture and the fragile river and forest ecosystem.

Only about 10 of these beautiful and stable watercrafts, which are made by hollowing out and shaping logs to create canoes up to 20 feet long, currently exist. They are a source of great pride for the Yurok — even the paddles are handcrafted, a statement said.

For a very different (and much faster) experience, 45-mile round-trip Klamath River Jet Boat Tours power their way upstream, with stops along the way to photograph the scenery and, with a little luck, such wildlife as bears, bald eagles, and ospreys.

The trips take two hours, or you can opt for hour-long outings that explore the Klamath River estuary.

A Lake Vacation

The state’s reservoirs are stocked with rental boats and other watercraft – from stand-up paddleboards to Waverunners.

California lake vacation can be planned to suit individual preferences. In Northern California, visitors can water-ski across Clear Lake; sleep on a houseboat at Shasta Lake; join a cocktail cruise on Lake Tahoe; rent a lakefront cabin at Bass Lake near Fresno; wakeboard or ski on the slalom course at Lake Nacimiento in San Luis Obispo County; cruise around in a pedal boat at San Diego’s Lake Murray; take a road-trip from Los Angeles to rev up the speed on Lake Elsinore; or paddle a kayak on Big Bear Lake.

A Week of Waves

Club Ed surf school in Santa Cruz’s master instructors host campers of all ages at nearby Manresa State Beach. It also offers a week of waves, when guests can camp in tents overlooking the Monterey Bay Sanctuary and enjoy healthy meals, a professional massage, visit the boardwalk, and more.For a shorter stint, sign up for a single two-hour lesson at the famous Cowells Beach break.

Where to Catch Fish

Rene Henéry, an aquatic ecologist with Trout Unlimited, says California’s water wealth is good news for anglers, especially those who are willing to wait.

“A lot of water is great for most of the things that are fish-related. It's great for bugs. It's great for amphibians. It’s great for producing little fish that the bigger fish eat,” Henéry says.

“After a winter of heavy snow, the snow is melting on high mountain lakes much later than usual. There’s still ice on the highest lakes, but when everything melts out, the fish are really hungry because they’ve burned up their fat supplies.”

Where to Go River Rafting

For outfitters, high flows mean extra safety measures to maximise the fun and minimise the risks. Some companies are launching larger and more stable rafts, requiring rafters to wear wetsuits, and adding extra safety personnel on the water.

Others are increasing the minimum-age requirement, which means families with young children will have to wait until later in the summer when river flows start to decrease.

For an early summer trip, the South Fork American River out of Coloma, 45 miles northeast of Sacramento, is hard to beat. The South Fork is one of the most popular whitewater rivers west of the Rockies, and even in a high-flow year, guided trips are suitable for most beginners.

Another early-season option is the Kern River northeast of Bakersfield. The closest whitewater to Los Angeles, the Kern offers Class 2 and 3 rapids near Kernville and tougher challenges upriver.

Stephanie Collins-Sowers, supervising ranger at Auburn State Recreation Area, says that experienced rafters looking for new terrain should consider a trip on the North Fork American River, starting near the foothill town of Colfax.

“The North Fork is a great opportunity to try something new and go see a river stretch you may never have seen before,” she says.

The undammed river, a designated National Wild and Scenic River, is the most difficult of the American River’s three forks.

Vacationers who want to launch an inner tube or inflatable kayak for a lazy river float — no rollicking rapids, just a mellow cruise — should head for the Truckee River in Tahoe City, Cache Creek near Rumsey, and the Lower Klamath River near Happy Camp.