SEA TREK SCHOOL PROGRAM
Custom guided trips for your group
ADVENTURE TYPE
Youth & School
EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
No experience necessary
AGE MINIMUM
9
DESTINATION/LOCATION
Sausalito
Trip Dates
Call to Schedule
Cost
Call for Pricing
Highlights
- Explore the coastline of Sausalito in a kayak
- Use teamwork to maneuver 2-person kayaks
- Learn about the natural and cultural history of Sausalito
- Bond over a memorable adventure
- Celebrate your accomplishments with an adventure
A VARIETY OF OPTIONS IN A CENTRAL LOCATION
Our classic Scenic Sausalito Journey is our most popular group tour for youths:
Scenic Sausalito Journey | 2 hours | $60/person (special Mon-Fri pricing)
The trip includes a half-hour orientation to teach students the basics of safety and kayak use. We’ll view the local wildlife, including harbor seals and waterfowl, and learn the history of the nearby floating homes community. We can accommodate a minimum group of six to a maximum group of 100 (for groups over 40, please call for details).
We also offer several variations on our normal trip through Sausalito (for ages 14 & up): nighttime tours, excursions to Angel Island or the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as stand-up paddle tours. Check out our Trips page for more info or ask about the available options when you call us.
Making Reservations
Reservations are made by contacting Sea Trek Monday through Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm at 415.332.8494. We require a 25% non-refundable deposit. Final payment is due seven days prior to the event. Sea Trek will send a confirmation email, including a link to manage your reservation so parents can sign online waivers for their children. We’ll also send a clothing list, directions to our Sausalito location at the Bay Model, and details on where to park.
*Many of our youth group leaders have asked us about tipping guidelines and generally request that tips are included in the price. Typically, they round up the per person cost to $65 with $5 of that going to the guides (evenly distributed) running the trip.
Richardson Bay Fascinating Facts
- Coastal Miwok people lived in a village known as Liwanelowa along the southern portion of Sausalito’s waterfront.
- The average depth of Richardson Bay is 5 ft. at mean low tide.
- The bay was named for William Richardson, a British sailor who jumped ship to marry the daughter of the San Francisco Presidio’s commandant.
- Sausalito’s houseboat community was originally established by artists, philosophers, and musicians such as Alan Watts, Jean Varda, Aldous Huxley, Allen Ginsberg, Duke Ellington, and Shel Silverstein.
- At one time, developers toyed with the idea of filling in Richardson’s Bay to create a Coney Island-style amusement park and an airport.
EXCURSION FAQ
Why kayaking?
Kayaking is a means to explore and enjoy the outdoors on an intimate level. There’s a surprising amount of wildlife to be seen on the Bay. Kayaking also provides great exercise, gentle or energetic, at your own pace.
Is kayaking difficult?
Kayaking is highly accessible. Our friendly, supportive staff will teach you the simple, necessary skills you need in order to enjoy your time on the water.
Will I get wet?
There is often a certain amount of splash-and-drip associated with kayaking, but we provide water-repellent jackets to keep you as dry as possible. Our guides do their best to keep you comfortable.
What about capsizing the kayak?
Capsizes are extremely rare. All of our trips take place in stable, two-person kayaks (larger and steadier than river kayaks). The popular image of kayaks bobbing through rapids and flipping upside-down is common to river kayaking, but not here in the protected waters along the Sausalito shoreline.
Is it strenuous?
Only if you so choose. Kayaks glide easily with little physical effort. Sea Trek trips are designed for all experience levels, and so participants don’t overexert themselves; travel is at a leisurely pace.
Will I be safe?
Yes! For precautionary purposes, all our clients wear a life jacket (personal floatation device, or PFD). All group trips are accompanied by guides. Sea Trek has an unblemished safety record.
Will I need any special gear or equipment?
No. Sea Trek provides all the gear you need to keep comfortable, warm, and dry. We provide a list of clothing suggestions.
What’s the best time of year to paddle?
Luckily, Richardson Bay provides year-round paddling enjoyment. Whether it’s during the warm spring and summer months or during the calm stillness of fall and winter, our corner of the Bay allows for consistent wildlife viewing and fun paddling opportunities. Our staff monitors the weather constantly and will keep your group updated prior to the trip of any conditions that could impact your trip. We’ll provide a week’s notice if it appears weather will cause cancellations.
Is parking available?
Yes, and it’s free! There is a large parking lot we share with the Bay Model Visitor Center and US Army Corps of Engineers. Room for buses is available.
Bay Model, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
Follow Bay Model signs, and park in Bay Model lot.
Our Guides
Sea Trek’s guides are trained professionals who are there to keep your group safe and make sure everyone stays together. They also know a great deal about the local marine life as well as the cultural history of the area, and they will do what they can to make the experience as educational for the kids as possible. We provide one guide for every eight people on the water.
At Sea Trek, we can create a custom youth trip that will fit your needs and budget. Pick a date and time that works best for your group, then contact us to set it up. We can go over your plan and help you come up with a trip that works for your group.
Call (415) 332-8494 or e-mail paddle@seatrek.com to plan your custom trip today!
COMING FROM THE NORTH ON HWY 101:
- Take Sausalito/Marin City exit. Sea Trek is roughly 1.7 miles.
- Go left under the freeway and right onto Bridgeway.
- Count seven signal lights (including the signal where you turn right onto Bridgeway).
- Turn left on Marinship Way. This is the first possible left after Harbor Drive and is opposite a 7-11 market and bus stop shelter.
- Go down the hill and continue straight. Follow Bay Model signs. Turn right between Bay Model warehouses. Drive towards the water and the Bay Model/Sea Trek parking lot is on the left. Parking is free.
COMING FROM THE SOUTH (Golden Gate Bridge) ON HWY 101:
- Take the Rodeo Drive exit off 101 (comes after Spencer Drive exit). From exit to Sea Trek is approx. 1.2 miles.
- At the first stop sign bear left onto Nevada Street.
- Nevada Street ends at Bridgeway. Turn right on Bridgeway and at the second signal light (just after Spring Street signal light) take a left at Marinship Way (opposite a 7-11 market and bus stop shelter).
- Go down the hill and continue straight. Follow Bay Model signs. Turn right between Bay Model warehouses. Drive towards the water and the Bay Model/Sea Trek parking lot is on the left. Parking is free.
JOIN THE ADVENTURE
Contact Us For Pricing
Call (415) 332-8494 or e-mail paddle@seatrek.com to plan your custom trip today!
Ages 9 years old and up. Please call for questions about kids under 9 years old.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us.+
READ SOME OF OUR REVIEWS
If you’re staying in Sausalito or are looking for a great spot to get on the water during your stay in San Francisco this is a great spot! You’re able to complete the waiver on line ahead of time (or as a group we were able to) and the safety speech was quick but thorough! We saw seals and a variety of birds and enjoyed being able to explore on our own. You’re able to choose between kayaking and stand up paddle boards and the equipment is in good shape.
- Yelp
Friendly hepful staff. Excellent paddling equipment! Beautiful / scenic location with lots of wildlife to observe. Very relaxing escape from the hustle, bustle and stress of an urban environment.
- Yelp
Becoming a member of SeaTrek has changed our lives. It’s given us a safe and easy way to be out on the water and for our three and five year old boys to explore, learn about marine wild life and have a sense of adventure. The people who work at SeaTrek are all incredibly warm and knowledgeable and have made our whole family feel welcome. During the pandemic this has been a lifeline for us. I can’t recommend SeaTrek or being on Richardson Bay enough.
- Google Reviews
Such an amazing experience!! Thank you to my two wonderful friends who showed me this place. Thank you to the staff for being helpful and giving us tip how to get on board on a kayak and what we can and can not do. If you are in the area, I recommend going to them! Can’t wait to see you guys soon!
- Google Reviews
What a great place ! I took a SUP lesson and it was so fun and helpful . They are so friendly and organized . Very therapeutic to get out on the water .
- Google Reviews
Repeat customer here. Book online ahead of time, and it’s a breeze to check in and get out in the water. We have used single and double kayaks (not the traditional kind) with adults and tweens / teens.
- Yelp
Went here for me recent birthday! Try to go when it’s not windy! The first half was call. We went to the houseboats and to see the cute seals! Coming back, it got a little windy but it was definitely a great workout! We are in shape and used to rowing so it wasn’t a big deal, just ask or look up weather conditions before reserving a time.
- Google Reviews
Great experience! Staff were friendly, and we had a smooth, fun time kayaking. We especially liked kayaking around the house boats, which were cook to see. They recommend making reservations in advance, which was easy to do online.
- Yelp
Fantastic company to rent from and great day kayaking! I have rented several times from Seatrek and every time has been so easy and hassle free. Today I took my dog for the first time and everyone was wonderful and helpful making it a perfect day on the water for us. If you are looking for a great single, couple, or group/family outing I highly recommend renting from seatrek.
- Yelp
My husband and I went out for a guided tour of the bay with Kenny this morning. It ended up just being the 3 of us which was really nice. I love that Sea Trek provided full body wind breakers which helped so much with keeping warm and dry. The highlight of the tour was definitely all the seals. They were so freaking cute and they were all over the pay popping their little heads out! Kenny shared lots of history with us regarding the boats in the bay, the animals, and the houseboat community. It was a really fun tour and it was not physically hard at all.
- Google Reviews
Loved kayaking in Sausalito. Saw a bunch of cute seals and birds. Water can get choppy when it’s windy. Easy to board and get off the kayak. They had a small life jacket for our dog as well!
- Yelp