
The Santa Ana River is one of Orange County’s most iconic yet misunderstood hallmarks. Despite being the largest river entirely within Southern California and a vital part of our region’s ecology and infrastructure, many disregard it as nothing more than a concrete-lined storm channel. For decades, Orange County Coastkeeper has worked to reconnect people with the Santa Ana River through education and outreach.
For this installment of Coastkeeper Chronicles, we’re revisiting one of our most unique programs over the past 25 years—when we led Santa Ana River kayaking tours that showcased the river’s natural beauty and viability for recreation. The tours covered a two-mile stretch in Yorba Linda’s Featherly Regional Park. In 2012, these expeditions marked the first time in over 30 years that the public could legally experience the river’s beauty from a kayak.

Accessing the River
Planning these tours was no easy feat. Typically, recreation in the river is illegal since it falls under the jurisdiction of the Orange County Flood Control District, which deems it “unlawful for any person to wade, bathe, skin dive, swim, float, launch or occupy any paddleboard, surfboard, kayak, canoe, boat, tube, or similar craft, or any object or device capable of transporting a person” in any of their managed waterways. While these restrictions are based on sound safety and conservation concerns, we believe a balanced approach is both possible and beneficial.
The Santa Ana River is home to diverse wildlife, including protected migratory bird species that nest along its natural reaches. Historically, OC Flood Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have opposed recreation in the river to preserve these critical habitats. While we fully support proactive efforts to protect wildlife, we believe that seasonal, responsible, guided recreation that falls outside of nesting season can coexist with conservation goals.
People care deeply about natural spaces they can not only see but engage with—think of America’s National Parks. By involving the community in the Santa Ana River through recreation, we can cultivate more clean water advocates who are invested in its future.

The Expedition
Due to OC Flood Control’s restrictions, our first hurdle was securing a permit to kayak the river legally. Acquiring the permit was already a significant milestone, requiring over a year of advocacy and dialogues between us and the County. Ultimately, our established track record with successful watershed education programs and the enthusiastic support of OC Supervisor Bill Campbell enabled us to overcome this bureaucratic challenge.
After months of preparation—including fundraising, hiring kayak guides, and organizing logistics—we finally hit the water in September 2012. On two beautiful sunny days, we led small groups of Orange County residents down a tranquil run of the Santa Ana River. Experience the expedition for yourself by watching the video below!
Participants navigated a two-mile stretch, experiencing firsthand the serenity and vibrancy of this local treasure. Everyone involved testified to how incredible the expedition was and how eager they were to do it again. The tours demonstrated how thoughtful, guided recreation could foster a deeper connection between the community and the river while respecting its role in the local ecosystem.
What’s Next?
Despite generating some local excitement and media buzz, unfortunately, our expeditions did not result in long-term regulation changes for recreation in the Santa Ana River. For that to happen, we expect the agencies would need to see a successful recreation model utilizing permits for several consecutive years.
We are committed to engaging more Orange County residents with the Santa Ana River. We envision a future where people can explore, wade, paddle, and connect with the water—all while respecting its critical role in our environment. Restarting the kayak program or another similar recreation program has remained an interest for our organization; the largest hurdles to overcome are funding, resources, and proper staffing. And inspiration is just around the corner.
Since our 2012 expedition, we’ve seen a rise in kayak tours on the Los Angeles River, which could serve as a model for Orange County. The LA River has suffered from negative perceptions from locals similar to those of the Santa Ana River.
Coastkeeper Chronicles is an ongoing blog series highlighting Orange County Coastkeeper’s most iconic and impactful wins for clean water. Click here to read more entries from this series.