From Sonoma Magazine: Local places to go boating

There's nothing quite like a lazy–or energetic–day of boating. Here are some places to enjoy the last month of summer on the water.

(For more things to do this summer, be sure to check out 34 Reasons To Get Off Your Duff in Sonoma Magazine)

Petaluma River, PetalumaClavey Paddlesports, 409 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-766-8070, clavey.com

Spending some time on the water is a great way to get away from it all without traveling too far. Launch in downtown Petaluma and within minutes, great blue herons in the reeds and great egrets in the trees will come into view. Haul your own vessel, or rent a kayak or standup paddleboard at Clavey Paddlesports, whose staff will guide customers to the launch dock on the river.

Clavey's Jeff Kellogg notes that excursions can be oriented toward downtown Petaluma at high tide — the river is actually a tidal slough and fluctuates with the tides — or paddlers can set off toward San Pablo Bay. Armed with a good map, tidal knowledge and a GPS system, boaters can explore the sloughs and wetlands around the bay.

Standup paddleboard rentals start at $55 for four hours; single kayaks are $75 a day and $95 for the weekend; double kayaks and canoes cost $95 a day and $120 for the weekend.

Russian River, HealdsburgRiver's Edge Kayak & Canoe Trips, 13840 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-433-7247, riversedgekayakandcanoe.com

Just southeast of downtown Healdsburg and at the base of Memorial Bridge, River's Edge Kayak & Canoe Trips offers guided and solo paddles on the upper Russian River, where otters, turtles and herons might be spotted. A 5-mile trip takes two to three hours and ends at the River's Edge beach. The river is placid in summer, but late in the season, when the flow is low, some portage may be required — particularly in drought years. Kayak rentals start at $45 for a single, $90 for a double. Canoes are $90 for the trip.

Russian River, ForestvilleBurke's Canoe Trips, 8600 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-1222, burkescanoetrips.com

Burke's Canoe Trips in Forestville rents canoes for serene floats along the Russian River. Drift downstream toward the sea on this redwood-forested riverway; the 10-mile trip includes a return shuttle. $65 per canoe (not per person) includes paddles and life vests.

Other water spots:

Lake Sonoma's Yorty Creek Recreation Area in Cloverdale is good for kayak launching.

Like still-water kayaking? Check out Lake Benoist at Healdsburg's Riverfront Park.

TIP: Polarized sunglasses cut down on the glare of the water and are easier on the eyes.