Sacramento offers a number of places to paddle board, making it good for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Check out these spots for the best paddle boarding experience in Sacramento!​

Before I go into details, make sure to join our SUP Facebook Group, where a friendly staff and SUP specialists will give you the best support and help for everything related to paddle boards.

Now that you are one of the family, let’s start with the first place to paddle board in Sacramento.

LAKE NATOMA

Lake Natoma is a great spot for paddle boarding in Sacramento with incredible views.

Since Lake Natoma's water is calm, beginners can feel stable and have fun on the water. The lake is beautiful and calm because motorboats are limited to 5 miles/h, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the views.

The recommended time to paddleboard in this location is late summer and fall. You can launch your paddle board from four different areas along this river, and each one offers diverse scenery. The wildlife to expect along this river is egrets, herons, osprey, and even eagles. For transport, you can take SacRT’s Gold Line from Sacramento Station to Sunrise Station. For more official information about this place, check this page.

• https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2280

THE AMERICAN RIVER

The American River is another great waterway for paddle boarding in Sacramento that is suitable for paddlers of all levels. Beginning at the Sierra Nevada mountains and getting down to San Francisco Bay, the river splits into the North, the Middle, and the South Fork.

If you are a beginner looking for something easy, I'll recommend you the South Fork and if you want more challenges, you can go for the North Fork and the Middle Fork for whitewater. If you ask me for my recommended time to paddleboard in The American River, I will say the off-season when they are fewer people and more wildlife. I highly recommend you check this dedicated website about The American River in order to know more about it.

• https://www.theamericanriver.com/about-the-american-river/

FOLSOM LAKE

Folsom Lake is another great option for paddle boarding in Sacramento.

The lake is large and offers plenty of space to explore, making it perfect for those who want a longer paddling experience. The views along the 75 miles of shoreline are also beautiful, making it a good place to paddleboard and take in the scenery.

If you went there during the summer, expect to share the water with crowds and powerboats.

The wildlife to expect along this Folsom Lake is deer, birds, mountain lions, black bears, and rabbits.

For more information about this paddleboarding place, check this official resource.

• https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=500

SACRAMENTO RIVER

The Sacramento River is another great spot for paddle boarding in Sacramento.

The views are just as stunning and there are plenty of places to stop and explore along the way. With many launch spots along the entire river, getting in and out of the water is much easier. Getting there early morning, you will benefit from the breathtaking sunrise.

The wildlife to expect along the Sacramento River is turtles, bobcats, otters, and beavers. Another interesting thing that happens on this river is the California River Quest, which is a marathon/ultramarathon paddling race.

This is an annual event that happens in May, starting from Redding to Andersen, Red Bluff, or Chico depending on the course you take.

This is an excellent opportunity to explore different parts of the river and meet other like-minded people.

Before heading to this place, I recommend you to check these two resources below to know more about this river and stay safe during your visit:

• https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/sacramento-river-1/
• https://www.watereducation.org/aquapedia/sacramento-river

DISCOVERY PARK

Discovery Park is a 302-acre park within the City of Sacramento limits and the unincorporated County. It is a great spot for paddle boarding where the American River meets the Sacramento River.

The park offers a wide variety of scenery, making it perfect for those who want to explore and take in the views.

There are also plenty of places to stop and take a break, so you can go for a swim or simply enjoy the scenery.

The Discovery Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. To get to the South entrance of the park, take Richards Blvd off-ramp from Interstate 5 and go west. If you prefer to enter the park from its North entrance, you can follow the Garden Highway exit east from Interstate 5. For more information about how to get there, opening hours, and fees, check this resource:

• https://regionalparks.saccounty.gov/Parks/Pages/DiscoveryPark.aspx

SLAB CREEK RESERVOIR

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Slab Creek Reservoir is a great spot for paddle boarding that lies quietly within the South Fork of the American River. The large reservoir offers plenty of space to explore, making it perfect for those who want a longer paddling experience.

Activities that you can do from your paddle board here include fishing, practicing fitness moves, and splashing and getting back on your board.

Fish species you may encounter in this reservoir are Pike Minnow, Bass, and Brown trout. The views are beautiful, and motorized boats are prohibited making it a great place to relax paddleboarding.

The available area where you can launch your paddle board and the reservoir's flat water make this place very suitable for beginners.

What I like about this place is that most of the time, you will enjoy the beauty of this place without any disturbance because it is a remote place and not many people know about it. It is important to note that the cell phone coverage is horribly spotty.

JENKINSON LAKE

Jenkinson lake (or Sly Park Lake) is known for its crystal clear water and sandy beaches.

Activities that you can do in this place are more than just paddleboarding, you can hike, and bike, and you can end your day with a relaxing paddle boarding session. And don’t forget, you can also fish from your paddleboard in this lake. Some of the fish species you may encounter here are the largemouth bass and the rainbow trout.

What makes this place a great paddle board place is its calm water surrounded by beaches, treelined shores, and day-use areas like picnic tables, restrooms, and drinking water. For beginners, the beaches and boat ramps make launching your SUP paddling session easier. I recommend this place to anyone looking for an exciting and adventurous trip on the water.

For more information about what activities you can practice in this place, I recommend you this webpage:

• https://www.eid.org/recreation/sly-park-recreation-area-spra-at-jenkinson-lake

LAKE TAHOE

Lake Tahoe is an enormous lake situated on the California and Nevada State border that offers unreal clear water surrounded by tall forest green trees, giant boulders, and mountains.

With its 22 miles in length, there are plenty of sports to choose from in this huge place.

Amongst the things that make me recommend this place for paddle boarding is its high number of places from where you can launch your paddle board. The best time to visit Lake Tahoe for paddle barding is April to May and September to November, which is prime time for fewer crowds.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced SUP paddler, if you are looking for fresh and clear water for stand-up paddle boarding, you should definitely check out this US's largest alpine lake. Interested in this place, I highly recommend you check this dedicated Lake Tahoe website.

MOKELUMNE RIVER

Located 30 from Stockton, the Mokelumne River is a water body that is so refreshing on hot summer days.

What makes this river suitable for beginners or others looking for a relaxed paddleboarding session is its flat and calm water. The bird species that you may encounter during your visit include the turkey vultures, white herons, geese, and ducks. The area around is a hot spot for wildlife sightings. Raccoons, opossums, beavers, deer, river otters, and skunks are all common to see in the area. The best time of the day to see wildlife is early in the morning or late in the evening when they're most active. Remember to keep your distance, though - these animals are wild and can be dangerous if provoked.

The four-mile stretch of the river from the Fish Hatchery to Stillman McGee Park is perfect for a leisurely float downstream. The Class I moving water provides a gentle current that is ideal for those seeking a relaxing experience on the water. With no rapids other than an occasional little riffle, this part is perfect for beginners or those who simply want to take in the scenery. Keep in mind, however, that the river can become more turbulent after heavy rain. High spring waters can also create water hazards, so be sure to check conditions before heading out.

Whether you're looking for a peaceful float or an adventure on the water, this stretch of the Mokelumne River has something to offer everyone.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

Paddleboarding in this place let you explore the bottom of the Golden Gate Bridge which fewer people have been able to do.

In addition to this, you will also see San Francisco’s skyline and the mountainous region of the North.

It is important to note that with many boats in this area, you have to be aware of your surroundings all the time in order to stay safe. Another thing that you have to know is that the water near the bridge can be choppy on some days. So, don’t head there unless you are sure about your stability on the water. The Golden Gate Bridge, Point Diablo, Sea Cliff & Land's End, and the San Francisco skyline are all visible from the bay, and on a clear day, you might even see porpoise!

This is one of the most challenging paddleboard places on this list and I recommend it solely for those with previous SUP experience.

ABALONE COVE BEACH

Paddleboarding the Abalone Cove Beach is the best way to view the coast.

This serene beach has been a favorite spot for years. The tranquility is perfect to relax and enjoy nature's beauty, with miles available if you want more exploring!

Besides the parking at Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, to get to Abalone Cove Beach, you can paddle your way from Abalone Cove around Portuguese Point and Inspiration Point through the gorgeous coves to get to Portuguese Bend.

If you're looking for a great place to relax and do some whale watching, head out to Abalone Cove Beach.

For more information, visit this link:

• https://www.rpvca.gov/facilities/facility/details/Abalone-Cove-Shoreline-Park-1

SAN FRANCISCO BAY

With so many animals to see in the San Francisco Bay Area, guided tours are a great way for paddlers of all ages and interests. While trips will only offer an opportunity at seeing sea lions or otters on their own time with binoculars from shoreline bluffs; there's no better experience than being able to spot them while out paddle paddling!

The Oakland Estuary is an ideal strait in San Francisco Bay for paddle boarding. If you are a beginner or intermediate paddler looking for SUP boarding classes, you can get them from California Canoe and Kayak (CalKayak).

TOMALES BAY

Paddleboarding is a popular activity in Point Reyes National Seashore, and the best place to do it is on Tomales Bay. This 15-mile-long and a mile-wide water body is a protected bay about an hour and a half drive north of San Francisco. What makes this water body suitable for paddle boarding is how warmer it is than the pacific, how calm it is, and how it laps onto land in gentle ripples. If you want to take it easy, cruise the shoreline. The four small beaches in the state park on West Bay's west side are great for a quick dip or if you're looking to spend some time relaxing under sunbathing trees. SUP paddlers can also enjoy these areas as there is no surf, but only calm waters! However, it is important not to have campfires here because they are protected by federal law and require an overnight permit from National Park Service visitor centers. For more information about this place, check this official resource:

• https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=470

FAQ

WHERE CAN I RENT A PADDLE BOARD IN SACRAMENTO?

You've come to the right place! We have several locations for you and your family's convenience. Our first choice would be:

WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES TO PADDLE BOARD IN SACRAMENTO FOR A BEGINNER?

That's all for this listicle article, don't forget to join our paddle board Facebook group where you can leave your SUP-related question to get an answer from other members and SUP specialists.

Thank you for reading, if you know about a place that we forget to include, let us know. See y’all.