Margarita Adventures launches guided kayak and wildlife “hummer” tours. The new offerings complement signature biplane tour in the heart of the Central Coast
–The acclaimed zipline tours of Margarita Adventures are now complemented by two new offerings: Guided kayak tours of Santa Margarita Lake and guided wildlife “Hummer” tours at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch.
“While we have made our name with our zipline tours, we are excited to broaden the scope of Margarita Adventures and provide guests with exciting new ways to explore the natural world around us,” said Karl Wittstrom, proprietor of Margarita Adventures.
Guided wildlife hummer tours offered at Santa Margarita Ranch
The two-hour wildlife tours feature a guided ride out to Santa Margarita Ranch in a vintage Hummer.
“We have restored our 1986 H1 military transport–nicknamed the Hummer by soldiers–and turned it into an outdoor chariot,” Wittstrom said. “This enables us to take our guests to the most remote parts of the ranch that adjoin the Los Padres National Forest and the Santa Lucia Wilderness. Access to areas like the Trout Creek Drainage and the Mountain Field were previously inaccessible to the public, and they are rich in diverse ecosystems and natural beauty.”
Guests are led by a Margarita Adventures naturalist who shares information on local ecosystems and the environment. Guests are also taught how to identify different species of plants and animals, providing insight into how natural systems and life cycles connect us all. Frequent sightings of native wildlife include eagles (bald and golden), a variety of hawks and other birds of prey, deer, turkeys, ducks, valley quail, mourning doves, pigs and the occasional black bear.
The wildlife “Hummer” tours are offered every weekday starting at 8:30 a.m. The tour cost is $39 per person.
Guided kayak tours offered at Santa Margarita Lake
The kayak tours consist of a four-hour educational excursion that spans three miles on Santa Margarita Lake. Kayaks are provided, and a Margarita Adventures guide leads the way, offering insights into the lake’s unique rock formations, surrounding ecosystem and native wildlife. Hawks, herons, deer and even bald eagles are sometimes spotted during the excursion. Guests also enjoy a snack break along the lake shore midway through the tour.
The kayak tours are offered on Thursdays through Sundays at 9 a.m. The cost is $89 for adults and $69 for children.
Margarita Adventures offered similar kayak tours years ago, but they were suspended due to the drought. “The proliferation of rain last winter and spring have restored the lake and rejuvenated its beautiful surroundings,” said Brittany Tomasko, general manager of Margarita Adventures. “We are excited to help people discover this local treasure in such an invigorating way.”
For more information and booking all tours, visit margarita-adventures.com.
Margarita Adventures offers a uniquely thrilling perspective on a true California landmark–the historic Santa Margarita Ranch. Here, guests embark on six distinct ziplines spanning more than 7,500 combined feet, starting with an epic 2,800-foot tandem-line thrill ride and finishing with an 1,800-foot journey over Pinot Noir vines. Along the way, guides share details of the ranch’s remarkable natural features, sustainable winegrowing practices and role as part of California’s famed Mission Trail. Tours conclude in downtown Santa Margarita, where visitors can opt to sample Ancient Peaks wines, which are grown on the ranch. In 2017, Margarita Adventures launched kayak tours at Santa Margarita Lake and wildlife “Hummer” tours at Santa Margarita Ranch. For more information, visit margarita-adventures.com.
