Many Seattleites cite our region’s natural beauty and proximity to outdoor adventures as their primary motivations for living here. In fact, you don’t even need to leave the city to get world class sea kayaking. Salmon Bay, located a scenic 20 minutes north from Downtown Seattle, accesses some of the most scenic and wildlife rich territory in the entire city. Starting from Golden Gardens Park your kayak tour will travel past Shilshole Bay Marina – mooring hundreds of yachts and sailboats – across the bay to West Point, the tip of 550-acre Discovery Park located in the Magnolia neighborhood. This natural oasis, the largest park in Seattle, boasts 2 miles of undisturbed beach and a 130 year-old lighthouse. This park is not only a refuge for the urban naturalist it also contains critical habitat for a diverse range of wildlife – Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Salamanders, River Otters, Ospreys, and much more. Heading into the bay, you will get an up close and personal view of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Thousands of salmon find their way up the fish ladder, which provides access to their ancestral spawning grounds. Great Blue Herons, Kingfishers and Sea Lions all hang out in this area to take advantage of the migrating fish. Besides wildlife, the locks are also an exciting feat of engineering. From our vantage point, we’ll be able to see all size watercraft passing in and out of the locks.

Woodinville wineries share more than locality; they share a commitment to creating fine, world-class wines from the very best Washington vineyards. Our Woodinville Wine Trail Experience will take you on a tour of four of Woodinville’s most acclaimed boutique wineries*** in an intimate and relaxed setting. The spotlight is on more than just the quality of the wine. Enjoy tasting and learning about these unique Washington wines in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Each visit will dig a little deeper to explore the local winemaking history and the art of viticulture. Enjoy one-of-a-kind wines at the tasting room of Hollywood Hill Vineyards, the only winery with a vineyard in Woodinville. The handcrafted wines you will taste here are unique, delicious, and produced in very small quantities. On many occasions we may even be able to visit their vineyard and winery located at the winemaker’s home. Be treated to a visit to DeLille Cellars and enjoy their award winning wines while taking in the stunning architecture of their traditional "chai" styled winery or in the comfort of their new tasting room. At JM Cellars enjoy tasting their wines fireside before touring the cellar room. We may even be able to taste right from the barrel while being educated by the winemaker! Finish your visit with an interpretive nature walk through the on-site native wetland. Another featured winery that may be on the itinerary is Covington Cellars, serving up delicious wines made from the highest quality fruit in small quantities. View their entire production facility, chat with the winemaker and sip some wine straight from the barrel! At Airfield Estates you will learn about the history of this grape growing family while tasting some excellent wines. Their unique tasting room resembles their Easern Washington Winery built on a World War II airbase.

**No previous paddling experience is necessary to enjoy this trip.

*** In the event of increment weather on the Puget Sound the paddle location may switch to Lake Union with the Seattle Skyline as the backdrop!