Whitewater Boaters' Delight...Studio very near the South Fork American River.

We are a family of five with a love for whitewater, outdoor adventure, and travel. We operate ARTA River Trips’ operation on the South Fork of the American River in the summer months, and teach (middle and high school) the rest of the year.

Living in such a wonderful vacation spot, visits from friends and family abound. 4th graders across CA visit the Coloma/Lotus area to see where gold was discovered and learn the history of the area at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. Whitewater enthusiasts from beginners to advanced descend on Lotus year-round for private kayaking and rafting adventures, and from April-October to raft with commercial outfitters. The American River Conservancy’s dedicated efforts are evident in the miles of outstanding mountain biking, hiking, running and horse riding trails and the Wakamatsu Ranch - the historic site of the oldest Japanese-American settlement in California. Our studio is a few hundred yards from beautiful Camp Lotus on the shore of the South Fork of the American River, where we launch our rafting trips, and which provides quick access to the world-famous Barking Dog Rapid - a favorite standing-wave hangout for kayakers, surfers, river-boarders and body-surfers year-round. Multiple trail adventures are within a ten-minute drive, and the area is a popular destination for avid, hill-loving road bikers. Coloma/Lotus offers multiple dining experiences and live entertainment most nights of the summer. Henningsen Lotus Park is 1.3 miles away and offers a huge grassy field home to official and unofficial soccer, ultimate, and volleyball games and provides extensive river access, baseball fields, and a play structure for children. Wine taste at world-class wineries. Multiple grocery stores, a movie theatre, and myriad shopping and dining areas are 20 -30 minutes away - close enough for convenience and far enough that solitude and quiet are not at risk. Apple Hill is 25 min away. In the winter, Sierra at Tahoe ski area is a 75 minute drive, and South Lake Tahoe is 90 minutes away. Guests from abroad have stayed in our studio and accessed Yosemite (3 hours), San Francisco (2.5 hrs), Sacramento (55 min), and many other central and northern CA attractions.

Our studio in the heart of Lotus offers quick river and trail access, as well as the option of relaxation and solitude without having to leave creature comforts far behind. Adventure awaits just outside, but inside is a calm, comfortable oasis. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, we are surrounded by history, a wilderness paradise, and astounding beauty.