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    La Jolla Kayak

    4.5 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    La Jolla Kayak... a pause in padding, to enjoy it all...
    Mike V.

    SUCH FUN! Easy for everyone to paddle-and-enjoy!! - - - - - - - - February, 2025 Visit My wonderful wife and I just enjoyed a trip to Pam Desert and San Diego, with a visit to La Jolla. Cousins joined us in San Diego, and they recommended kayaking La Jolla shores; we realized that is something we hadn't don't yet, and we were readily agreeing to go. There are several kayak shops in La Jolla shores; all look good and La Jolla Kayak has a higher rating; the guidance of Ane (french e) and Tyler are a big part of that. We did call ahead to confirm likely availability; otherwise you can readily walk up to join a kayaking tour. After getting fitted with helmets (need to wear only long enough to get out a bit; then can take off!) and lifejackets, the group walks a couple blocks to the sand for a bit more prep on how to paddle. Then you push out over the safe one kayak at a time. The hosts paddle and then rest-and-talk, and then repeat. We paddles to the left/south, toward Seal Beach. That day had some waves crashing strongly against those rocks... we felt the swells under us AND NO challenge in paddling... just gentle up/down motion under us as we paddled. We saw seagulls, cormorants and pelican over us and also resting on the water. Clouds were overhead as we started, then the skies were sunny for 90% of paddling, then cloudy once we were back onshore... a blessing to be sure! Such a great experience. La Jolla Kayak also offers sunscreen and such... and... waterproof phone cases... they let me borrow one and I liked it so much that I purchased one when we got back to the shop... for the next trip. - - - Recommended: you won't get soaked, but you'll likely get at least a little wet - plan on wearing at least a swimsuit for bottoms... tbd other shirts based on temperatures and sun that day - - - Thank you, Ane (french e), Tyler & the entire team at LaJolla Kayak!! ----- ----- -----

    Chelsea J.

    My teen daughter and I had the best time doing the kayak tour. She keeps telling me how much fun she had. Our tour guides Lucy and Magnus were awesome and made us feel so comfortable. We fell behind our group but Lucy kept coming to check on us and give us some pointers. The cave was so cool. My daughter said we MUST make this a yearly tradition. Some tips-wear lots of sunscreen and a hat (you only wear the helmet in the cave), bring a big bottle of water, bring waterproof pouches for phones, go on a weekday-it's much cheaper. My only critique is I wish we spent a little more time in the cave, but it was busy so we were in and out quickly. Highly recommend!!

    Near the caves

    I want to start by saying La Jolla is gorgeous and our guides Amy & Dane were phenomenal. The kayaking itself felt a bit chaotic because there were so many other kayak groups out and swimmers a paddle boarders in the water. The scenery was stunning and the fish were beautiful. I suppose the biggest FYI I have is that although I do not regret going on this tour and I did have a good experience, there was no actual tour or entry into the caves. I think it's a bit misleading to advertise this as a "cave tour" when we tied up near the caves and snorkeled around but never inside of them. There was no information provided about the caves themselves either so I'm really not sure how this is a cave tour but all things considered, it was a lovely adventure.

    Enjoying the jokes

    Had so much fun. The staff are super nice and make the tour so much more special. Ryan and Nick were funny and super helpful when I had questions. Perfect first time event.

    Kayaking in La Jolla

    Declan and Ane were fabulous guides on our wonderfully foggy kayak trip. We saw all kinds of sea critters, heard little pieces of history, explored a few caves/tunnels and just overall had a fun time! I would highly recommend this adventure if you're visiting San Diego!

    Pointing the boat directly into the crest so I didn't fall into the water

    We took a sea kayak tour with Taya today. We got lucky and ended up with not only the **best guide**, but with a small group of 6. While we didn't get to enter the cave (the tide was too low, making for dangerous conditions for beginners), e did learn a lot of fun (and maybe true?) factoids about the La Jolla coast. I definitely recommend this for a fun way to explore the area.

    Jinee L.

    메모리얼데이에 가족 여행으로 kayaking 선택은 완벽했습니다! 우리는 다른 2팀과 함께 구성이 되었고 la jolla beach cave를 탔습니다. 우리 팀은 모두 초보였고 나는 수영을 할 줄 모릅니다. 나는 깊은 곳은 가지 않을 것이라고 다짐했어요. 그런데 우리의 가이드였던 Marlow는 우리를 더 넓은 바다로 갈 수 있게 도와주었고 나는 안심하고 따라갔습니다. Marlow와 그의 팀은 정말 친절하고 유머러스하고 풍부한 kayak 경험으로 우리를 인도했습니다. 덕분에 우리는 정말로 새로운 경험을 했고 정말 잊지못할 추억을 만들었습니다!! 다시한번 Marlow와 그의 팀(또 다른 한명의 남자) 에게 고맙습니다!! 다음에 반드시 꼭 다시 올것이며, 한국분들에게 추천합니다! The choice of kayaking as a family trip on Memorial Day was perfect! We formed with two other teams and went into the La jolla beach cave. Our team is all beginners and I don't know how to swim. I vowed not to go to a deep place. But Marlow, who was our guide, helped us go to the wider sea and I followed with peace of mind. Marlow and his team led us to a really friendly, humorous, and rich kayak experience. Thank you, we really had a new experience and made unforgettable memories!! Thank you again to Marlow and his team (another man)!! I will definitely come back next time, and I recommend it to all! He made day!

    Christine S.

    Prepare to get wet and have lots of fun! John our tour guide was very nice, informative and accommodating. If you would like to go kayaking in the caves you can call and ask the representative the best day to go or you can also check the beach camera online of the La Jolla beach and tennis club (Camera South) if you see waves crashing on the caves more than likely your tour won't be going in the caves for safety reasons. I highly recommend this activity not only for tourist but also for locals. We will definitely comeback!

    Kayaking
    Nicole C.

    La Jolla Kayak was exactly what we were looking for when planning our girls trip! Abby and Wyatt were especially great, their positive vibes were infectious. They were very knowledgeable, not just on the tour but they also provided recommendations for our group to check out once the tour was over. Thank you for such a wonderful experience! P.S. Wyatt, we went to The Taco Stand for dinner and it was as delicious as you promised.

    Your group and all groups are color coded. Won't get lost
    Candy S.

    Highly recommend!! 2nd time using this company and still sooo much fun. Over the years kayaking has definitely been much more popular and for good reason! Highly recommend if you're in the area! You can walk in for reservations or go online. Sign waivers. Guides are great Very affordable BE ON TIME!!! Single or double kayaks, very hard with double up unless you work together well hahaha Lockers are available for $8.00 they hold your key for you, so no risk of losing it. Life jackets and helmets are provided Bathrooms just before you go, located where the lockers and jackets are. Wear a bathing suit, light clothing that you would go swimming in. You can change into dry clothes back at the place if you want, changing rooms available. Highly recommend purchasing a cell phone bag, works and takes pictures just fine, not the highest quality but still capture fun times. They are $23.00 with tax. They lock and float and it's like a necklace. Highly recommend taking water bottle with a clip on to yourself or the kayak if you decide to jump in the ocean, which they let you do bc it's fun. You don't want to lose it. You can take a back pack or water proof bag, make sure it floats and again attach it... only if your adamant about it. Wear lots and lots of zinc/ sun screen, apply at the the last min possible unless you have zinc or wet reapply sun screen. Chapstick!! Sunglasses a must Hats, can get in the way of the helmet but it's possible to wear a ball cap. Just the basic essentials, you'll get a workout from this tour, especially if the waves ocean are choppy, eat before! Wear strap secure sandals or water shoes, there is a place at the beach, where folks pile their shoes/sandals before they go out if you want to go barefoot. The sand can be extremely hot to walk on but only a short distance once you get the kayaks. Paddles float Kayaks are already at the beach, guides help you get out onto the ocean over the waves. You go through caves, see leopard sharks, the seals, the view, nice people. You stay together as a group, you go back together. There are showers before you turn in your jackets and helmets. Cash for tips and they also have venmo Show them some love Lastly parking!!! Is A..T..R..O..C..I..O..U..S!! Mostly 90 min parking ( typical...) and you will get towed and ticketed. Best to park in the neighborhood, be respectful and responsible and walk. There is one Handicap parking spot right alongside for are elders and fun folks that also enjoy the life pleasures. It's located on a corner so it's easy to spot. BE ON TIME!! in case you forgot! Great places to eat and have chill time, in case you're early and keeps you close by. Lots of ice cream, coffee, shops to walk around lol the time. Have fun!!!

    Celia H.

    First of all I want to say a huge thank you to Desire and Cassidy for a fun time and especially for keeping us safe. Desire made sure my sister caught us to our group and never left her behind. I don't know how to swim, but Cassidy and desire made it safe for me to be relaxed. It's a workout and you definitely will be sore and tired. Overall it was an amazing experience.

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    1 month ago

    Chance and Steven were really nice and accommodating. The tour was good and i felt welcome by the crew members. 100% recommend.

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    5 months ago

    The best and only spot to kayak in La Jolla / San Diego! Great staff, awesome area, wildlife to see every trip.

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    La Jolla Kayak Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - La Jolla Kayak

    Do you have to go on a tour or can you rent kayaks and go on your own?

    We do offer individual kayak rentals. These rentals don't allow you to go inside the caves.

    What is the best time of day to go? Should we wear swim shoes/socks?

    We went around 11 and it was perfect. We wore sandals which they have you remove prior to getting down to the beach. Make sure to wear sunblock EVERYWHERE. I usually only put it on my shoulders and face because that's normally where I burn but my… Read more

    How far is the kayak from the beach to the actual cave? (Distance wise, 2miles, 1 mile? etc)

    Less than 1/2 mile.

    Can you get in the water during the tour?

    Yes!

    Do you actually go into the caves on the kayak tour or just near them?

    Our kayak tour takes you along the La Jolla Sea Caves and through one of the caves, Clam's Cave. Entrance into the caves is dependent on ocean conditions. If your kayak tour is unable to enter the cave, please ask our staff about our on-foot cave… Read more

    Are there any weight restrictions?

    Weight restrictions are 250 lbs for single kayaks and 500 lbs for double kayaks

    View All 7 Questions

    Review Highlights - La Jolla Kayak

    What a great experience, going out on a kayak tour got us close to such beautiful nature and wildlife.

    Mentioned in 82 reviews

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    Bike and Kayak Tours

    Bike and Kayak Tours

    4.3(1.6k reviews)
    0.1 miLa Jolla, La Jolla Shores

    This was an amazing experience. Super fun, had never kayaked before so we chose the tandem with a…read moretour guide. Just us and another couple and a really cool guide named Ben (Annie! LOL!) He showed us the different caves and wives' tales that went along with them as well as discussing the marine life and their protective status. Also interesting information about the houses on the shores. Would definitely recommend to a friend and already have!

    Came here for a 9am kayak tour and it was such a fun way to start the day. It got off to a bit of a…read moreslow start because a few people were running late, and I got completely wet as we launched thanks to the waves--so definitely wear something you don't mind getting wet! Once we were out on the water though, the waves are smaller but I did feel a bit sea sick when we got to the gather point and weren't kayaking. The sun took its time coming out, but the weather was still beautiful and made for a nice morning paddle. Our guide, Dylan, was super knowledgeable about the area and shared interesting facts along the way. We even got to paddle into a cave, which was really cool, and saw plenty of wildlife--sea lions lounging on the rocks, pelicans flying by, and garibaldis swimming around. Heads up--kayaks do tip! Ours flipped just as we came back to shore, so I'd recommend bringing a change of clothes and some towels. They have lockers for rent if you don't want to leave things in your car. Overall, really fun experience and I'd definitely come back for another tour

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    Bike and Kayak Tours
    Bike and Kayak Tours - Angela explaining all the caves and cliffs of La Jolla.  Informative and fun.

    Angela explaining all the caves and cliffs of La Jolla. Informative and fun.

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    San Diego Dive & Kayak

    San Diego Dive & Kayak

    2.0(12 reviews)
    1.1 miLa Jolla

    ...Three strikes and you're outta here!…read more My boyfriend and I purchased three LivingSocial Deals through this place and had 2 alright and 1 terrible experience. Save yourself, your friends and your family the bother and DO NOT GIVE THIS COMPANY YOUR BUSINESS! Experience #1: Snorkeling Gear for Two in La Jolla Cove - Our reservations were canceled 3 weeks in a row. I appreciate someone looking out for our safety, especially if water/weather conditions are poor, but the third time was an absolutely beautiful Sunday, so I developed some suspicions. -When we finally did pick up our gear, nobody was in the office and our gear was simply left outside of a building. I didn't receive a phone call. Nothing. Thankfully, I checked the front pocket of the gear to find a corner of a piece of notebook paper with 'Ashley' written on it. -Our instructions told us to check in upon returning the gear, but again no one was in the building. We called the number we were provided - no response. -**FINALLY, a woman appears and says the owner was watching his favorite team - the Saints - play as it was Football Sunday. Wow, great customer service! Experience #2 Photo Tour Paddleboarding Lesson - My tour guide/teacher, Megan, is this company's saving grace. She was awesome and informative! but... -Again I was frustrated as the instructions told me to show up 15 minutes early and no one (including the owner showed up until 30 minutes later) -MORE IMPORTANTLY: the "Photo Tour" was entirely absent. No photos were taken, or even discussed. Experience #3 Paddleboarding Gear for Two -Generally the point of making a reservation is that you have something reserved. Well, apparently not with this place. -We show up on-time and are informed by a 15-year-old looking kid with a megaphone that they are out of boards (the website displayed that we were the only ones renting during this time slot.... and there were 6 other slots open.... um, ok?) -They said some of the board "were lost" - Ok, well calling your customers to warn them of low inventory/theft/etc they may influence something they paid for is NICE! -This kid then proceeds to yell into the megaphone as another 'employee' appears and nothing even remotely helpful. -We were told to call the owner to find out what we should do and when we tried - Voicemail.... Twice. Oh right - it's Sunday again so he's probably too rapped up in a Football Game to deal with his customers. I have no idea how this place stays open!

    My friends and I purchased living social tickets for a 2 hour guided snorkeling tour. I'm not sure…read moreif this company has a real legit address or anything, but the instructions told us to meet at the bathrooms around La Jolla Cove. We were running late and felt bad that the others in our group had to wait for us to suit up. Whoops, but once we were all settled, our guide, Dennis, took us down to the Children's Pool and gave us a few pointers on how to get started. Before we knew it, we were actually snorkeling! We were given a lot of free time to ourselves to explore and snorkel around since there was high visibility that day. I saw a ton of Garibaldi fish (they're bright orange, you can't miss them!) and a few schools of other silver/gray looking fish. We also got to enter the cave and it was pretty intense since the waves were thrashing and sloshing us around. T'was fun indeed. 5 star experience, but I'm giving 4 stars because the living social coupon said we would get snacks included in our tour. We didn't get any snacks =( However, still check out this company for snorkeling/diving adventures if you want to show out of town friends a new and fun experience.

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    San Diego Dive & Kayak
    San Diego Dive & Kayak

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    La Jolla Surf Systems - Wheel locker

    La Jolla Surf Systems

    4.2(55 reviews)
    0.1 miLa Jolla, La Jolla Shores
    $$

    Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! We wend to EVERYBODY in the neighborhood and NOBODY…read morelet us rent their kayak at 3:30 pm Dec 9, except these guys. Awesome service and forever grateful to Nicolas - you saved our 1 year anniversary! Amazing service - quick clear instructions, very considerate, warned us about any possible problems explained how to row in the kayak as it was our first time and we had a tandem kayak. After he explained us how to put it in the water and not to roll over, we went and did it first try - no problems. We locked the wheels to the wooden fence so that nobody steels them (they are used to transport the kayak easier so that you don't have to carry it in your hands). We saw the sunset and peaked in the cave which was very exciting. Don't go inside the caves if you are renting on your own as the tides can be very unpredictable and you can roll over or hit the rocks - this is also illegal and only allowed during guided tours. Value point is amazing too. For a tandem it's 35$ (39.22$ with tax) and solo is 30$. All the guided tours were 80$+ and I don't really see the point them if you can go with these guys for only 35$. We did a full one hour but I am not sure how long you can usually go we came pretty late before the closing time. If you want to get the guided tours during the winter times the last ones usually depart at 2:30 so make sure you make it in time!

    Great selection of gear and great rentals. Closest shop to the beach which is awesome to bring…read morestuff down to the beach. Been there since the 70s they have done a good job changing it.

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    La Jolla Surf Systems - Sep 22, 2021

    Sep 22, 2021

    La Jolla Surf Systems - Thank you for a great day!

    Thank you for a great day!

    La Jolla Surf Systems - Sep 22, 2021

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    Sep 22, 2021

    La Jolla Kayak - tours - Updated May 2026

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