California winters—often featuring big rains and heavy mountain snowfall—can result in brimming lakes and racing rivers come summer. A wetter-than-normal winter can also produce spectacular spring wildflower displays and extended ski seasons, but the benefits don’t end there. For the summer months, that can mean perfect days to raft rivers, hike to waterfalls, go boating on lakes, and catch fish.
Here's how and where to make the most of any post-winter H20 abundance in California:
Where to Go River Rafting
For outfitters, high flows mean extra safety measures to maximize the fun and minimize 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 II and III 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.
Collins-Sowers stresses the importance of booking river trips with a licensed outfitter. “A high-flow year isn’t the year to try rafting on your own. The rivers can run very high, and people need to be extremely cautious near the water even if they’re just camping, fishing, or standing near it.”
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.
Where to See Waterfalls
As snowmelt and rain send more water into rivers and creeks, California’s waterfalls become more spectacular than ever. Summer is a great time to see 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.
After particularly heavy snow seasons, park visitors can count on a long summer of plummeting snowmelt. The watery barrage may also mean temporary closures of roads or trails, so check the park’s current conditions before leaving home.
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.
Where to Catch Fish
Rene Henéry, an aquatic ecologist with Trout Unlimited, says when it happens, 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 Spend Time on a Lake
If you’re looking to paddle a kayak or kick back on a pontoon boat during the summer, the state’s reservoirs are fully stocked with rental boats and other watercraft, from stand-up paddleboards to Waverunners. Tailor your California lake vacation to suit your watery style: In Northern California, send up perfect roostertails as you water-ski across Clear Lake, sleep on a houseboat at Shasta Lake, or 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, or take a road-trip from Los Angeles to rev up the speed on Lake Elsinore or paddle a kayak on Big Bear Lake.