CaC boat and bicycle reservation form

For online boat and bike reservation requests for Stanford Inn guests only, please complete and submit the form below.

We answer reservation submissions Sundays through Thursdays. Forms submitted on Thursdays after 5PM, Fridays or Saturdays will be answered on Sunday mornings.

If you have questions or would like a more immediate response, please Call Catch a Canoe & Bicycles Too directly to reserve boats or bikes at (707) 937-0273 between 9:15 AM and 4:45 PM daily.

You are also welcome to stop by our shop. We'll do our best to find an available rental option for you. Here's a link to a map and directions to Catch a Canoe. Thanks!

Name*

First NameLast Name

Please provide the name your Stanford Inn reservation is under and also your confirmation number.*

Email (please use the same address if a prior email has been sent to canoe@mcn.org)*

example@example.com

Cell phone contact number.*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Outrigger Canoe and Kayak Reservation Form

Big River is a Tidal Estuary and is navigable year-round for 8 miles. We reserve our boats for a specific arrival time at CaC. You may spend up to 3 hours maximum on the water before returning your boat. Children and pets are welcome in our ultra-stable redwood outriggers.

Which date are you interested in? *

Please list any alternate dates in case your first choice is unavailable.

If possible, please list an alternate date in case your first choice is unavailable.

Date

Exactly* how many adults are in your party? PLEASE LIST THE AGES OF EACH CHILD THAT YOU'LL BRING SO WE CAN CHOOSE THE CORRECT BOAT FOR YOU.*

*We need very specific numbers to reserve a boat or boats. We consider children to be from 1yo to 17yo.

Please list the estimated weight of EACH person so we can assign a boat that works best for you.*

If you're reserving an outrigger canoe, please list the height of the person in the stern who intends to steer. If more than one outrigger, list the heights of each steering person.

This will help us choose the optimum outrigger for you.

Will you be bringing any pets? If so what are their weight(s)?

Pets always ride for free!

Would you like to rent an outrigger canoe*, a two person kayak, single kayaks, or a conventional canoe or whatever is available?*

*Redwood Outrigger Canoes are our unique specialty. Outriggers comprise over 90% of our boat rentals. They are super stable and have a foot controlled rudder for easy steering. Different versions can seat from 2 to 7 persons. Kayaks are available as singles or tandems. Conventional canoes are the most difficult option, solid prior experience recommended.

If your first boat choice is unavailable, would you accept a substitute? If so, please list the boat type.

We launch our boats during a 4 hour window based on the best tidal timing for that particular day. We launch one reservation every 10 minutes. Please check one of the following boxes.*

I'd like the best available (easiest experience) arrival time based on the tides.I prefer a morning arrival time if available. (this may not be ideal tide-wise)I prefer an early afternoon arrival time if available. (this may not be ideal tide-wise)

Please note that tidal speeds and tidal movement vary from day to day. About 3/4 of the days in a given month make for easy paddling while the "off days" require more effort. We try our best to schedule you at the most favorable time possible for a 2 to 3-hour journey on Big River Estuary.

In the event that we are fully booked during your requested date(s) would you like to be placed on our waiting list? We will contact you by phone if a cancelation occurs and your turn comes up.

YesNo Thanks

Based on the information you've provided we'll hold the correct boat or combination of boats for your family. Sometimes a phone call is needed to help zero in on the best solution and to work out any outstanding details. If so we'll use the phone # that you listed above to contact you.

Bicycle Reservation Form

Please do not fill this out unless you are also requesting bikes. we do not recommend reserving boats and bikes on the same day if at all possible.

Please provide your Stanford Inn confirmation number. Bicycles are only available to Stanford Inn guests during the 2022 season.

Which date are you interested in riding? We recommend biking on a different day than canoeing.

Please list any alternate dates in case your first choice is unavailable.

If possible, please list an alternate date in case your first choice is unavailable.

Date

Your bikes will available for pick up at Catch a Canoe which is a 5 minute walk from your room at the Stanford Inn. Specific times are assigned to ensure social distancing between groups. Please choose your preference which is subject to availability. (Bike pickups are scheduled to juxtapose with boat rentals.)

Between 9:00AM and 10:30AM if available.Between 12:15PM and 1:45PM if available.

How many adults are in your party? Any children? If so what are their ages? We only loan bikes to children who are 10 years old or over.

Please list the heights of each rider so we can hold the correctly sized bicycles for your family.

In the event that we become fully booked during your requested date(s) would you like to be placed on our waiting list? We will contact you by phone if a cancelation occurs.

YesNo Thanks

We require all riders to wear helmets. Please bring your own if possible.

Please provide any additional details here:

Submitting this form does not create a reservation. Our reservation staff will send an email confirmation if we have availability on your chosen dates. If we do not have availability, we will inform you by email.

Thank You for completing our reservation form!

Here is our rate sheet ⇣ and map of Big River Estuary.

FAQ's are included below for further information.

Frequently Asked Boating Questions

How do I pay? You may pay by credit card when you arrive at Catch a Canoe for your reservation timeslot. Guests of the Stanford Inn may request a room charge if they are staying at the Inn that night.

Will I see harbor seals and otters? It is very possible and does not depend on the time of day. Important information about marine mammals is at the bottom of this page.

How many people do the redwood outriggers hold? A minimum of two persons are required. We offer several variations on the ultra-stable double outrigger design. Different models can accommodate up to 7 persons, while some versions such as the Canine Cruisers are designed specifically for pets with their humans. We also have a variety of designs that are made for families of different sizes including an 8-person twin hull catamaran. All of these are equipped with a foot controlled rudder for easy steering.

Can I just show up and take my chances, or do I need to have a reservation? We ask everyone to pre-reserve our boats to ensure social distancing between groups.

What if I'm late for my reservation timeslot? It's very important to arrive exactly on time or slightly early for your reservation or we may not be able to launch you. This is because you'd be overlapping onto the next group's reservation time.

Are you pet friendly? Our awesome redwood outriggers are excellent for pets. The canine models are specifically designed and made for people with dogs. Some models also feature a padded hang-out area. These unique canoes are extra stable and are the only human-powered boats in the world that are made specifically for pets and their humans.

Do you have an age restriction for children? If your baby is over 6 months old we have a lifejacket that will fit them. For safety's sake, we require children under 10 to be in one of our stable redwood outrigger canoes.

What should we wear? Dress like an onion so you can peel off the layers when it warms up, or put them back on if it cools down. Fleece and a windbreaker works well.

What weather should we expect?
Summertime highs range from about 60 to 75 degrees, while wintertime highs are usually in the 50's. The California rainy season is from November through April and rain may happen, but we remain open for those who don a rain jacket and want to get out on the water. Other times of the year it may be foggy on the coast and clear upriver to the east. Hot tip—canoeing in the rain can be a magical experience!

What can we bring on board the boats?
Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. Any extra clothing is good insurance in case the wind comes up. Cell phones will get service upriver if your provider is Verizon or US Cellular.

What if it rains? Most people bring rain gear and it can be very pleasant on the water with light rain. We definitely don't want you to go if you don't want to. If you'd like to cancel, please email canoe@mcn.org 48 hours prior to your rental so we can release your boat and time slot to another family.

How long can we keep our boat? Up to three hours is the maximum. During Covid times we have temporarily eliminated our day rates so we have enough time to disinfect each returning boat.

Do you offer overnight rentals?
We only offer same-day rentals. This is because all of Big Rivers's adjacent lands are part of the Mendocino Headlands State Park system. Camping is only allowed in designated areas with facilities available.

Frequently Asked Bike Questions

What precautions are taken during Covid times? All rental bikes are spray disinfected with an EPA-certified Covid after they are returned. We no longer offer loaner helmets, but we do have them for sale at our cost of $22 each. Helmets are required for all bicycle riders without exception.

How do I pay? Bicycles are complimentary for Stanford Inn guests. (the minimum age requirement is 10 years old.)

Why are bikes only available for Stanford Inn guests? Catch a Canoe is a part of the Stanford Inn. This season, bikes are only available for Stanford Inn guests, while boats are available to all. We simply don't have enough bikes for everyone and have not been able to purchase more from our suppliers, Cannondale and Trek during the Covid bike shortage.

Where are the bike trails? The big river trail is the closest to Catch a Canoe and it's a great one. It follows the river on the north side and winds it's way into the woods then back to the river several times. If you rode the entire trail, it would be a 22-mile journey out and back. Check out the trail map above. ↑

What kind of bikes do you rent? Cannondale Cujo hardtails. These are mountain bikes, most of which are set up with rise bars for more upright seating and gel saddles for comfort. They have 27.5" wheels and wider than normal tires at 2.8" which gives a smoother more stable ride.

Do you have child or pet carriers? We do not, the reason being is that the bike trail must be accessed by crossing the highway 1 bridge across big river which has a very narrow shoulder. This means the trailer will stick out into the traffic lane. We do not allow personal trailers or child seats to be installed on our rental bikes. We do loan bikes to children 10 years old and up. Several different ideas for safely carrying pets in baskets have been tried. Unfortunately, none of these worked well because some dogs jump out or if they're leashed in, they still jump out and dangle from the basket.

Do you provide locks? Yes, we do, upon request.

Do you sell trail maps? We have an excellent local trail map for biking or hiking printed on waterproof paper for $10 each.

Further information at catchacanoe.com

2024 Rental Boat & Bike Reservation Request