Just finished the tour with LA River Expeditions and they were awesome! Very helpful and friendly staff. We kayaked the Sepulveda Basin and it was hard to believe we were still in LA. Highly recommended! read more

This was our first time kayaking in a long time and first time ever on LA River. It was a blast! Everything was well organized and the guides Gary and Jordan were really friendly, helpful and educational!! Beautiful scenery including wild birds and ducks. Paddling was easier than we expected. read more

This tour was so fun! I've lived in LA County for 12 years, and am trying to get out and try new things. I love kayaking, so why not kayak the LA River!? The guides were super nice and informative. I learned a lot about the river and native plants, in addition to getting in a pretty great arm workout! Thank you LA River Expeditions! read more

I wanted to like this tour. I really, really did. I wanted nothing more than to tell people that there was a section of the LA River that was beautiful, a pocket of serenity that transformed you from city dweller to wilderness explorer. Alas, it was not the case. Trash lined both sides of the bank, and clothing and gnarly plastic bags often hung from the trees. Homeless encampments were in evidence and--was that a car part the front of my kayak narrowly missed?! Was this a park, or the perfect setting for a post-apocalyptic zombie attack?! The guides were cool and friendly but a bit disengaged, and there was a biologist along, who treated us like naughty third graders when we drifted a few feet from her during a lecture. The highlight was going out to a 3-foot waterfall flanked by a manmade dam--or was it a beaver penitentiary?--of several half-submerged shopping carts. Maybe others blissed out on this trip, given the 5-star reviews, but really guys, get out of the city and see what real, unspoiled nature looks like. That said, this made for a weird and filthy and, yes, at times fun morning. Could I suggest kayak trips to clean up the banks from the relentless human encroachment? At least pull the carts out of the river and bring them back to Ralphs where they belong. read more

It was an incredibly amazing experience. This was my first time kayaking and I am glad I didn't put this off. There were three guides and all of them were friendly and patient. It was a very peaceful ride. I forgot I was in LA! We saw birds such as heron up close that I had never seen. The guide gave us background about the river that I thought was informative. You'll get a email about instructions but don't forget about your water. I learned the hard way. I thought I didn't need a water. I got there early but I had to go back and buy water. There was a family who had two kids, so email them and inquire about the possible accommodation that can be made. I would highly recommend you to give them a try. It was really a fun day. read more

My trip with George and crew was the highlight of my summer! The LA River Expeditions is a group of informed, passionate urban pioneers that are making a very positive impact on the city. The trip down the Glendale Narrow was well organized and I felt safe and looked after during every step of the process. I also learned a tremendous amount about our city and how I can participate in shaping the future of the river. I am a teacher, and I plan to show "Rock the Boat" to my class next year. I am especially delighted that I took the trip because I feel connected to this movement now and it is great to be part of something that I can see changing before my very eyes. For a kayaker with zero experience, I am now addicted! read more

While the Los Angeles River sounds impossible to kayak given that most people think of it only as the barren stretch of concrete on the eastside of Downtown, there's actually a substantial patch that does have a water source and was deemed navigable by two dudes a couple years back when they decided to throw themselves into kayaks and take a little trip down the plastic bag-ridden basin. Flash forward to this past summer and the public was invited to participate in the mildly amusing adventure as well. I was super intrigued at the prospect (I love LA, being outdoors, and trying new things so it seemed to strike a nerve in all those Katie parts) of reserving a spot since I figured the opportunity wouldn't be available for long. Most of my friends scoffed at the idea because it sounded as far off from a good time as taking a dip in the Tar Pits. Not going to stop me, I'm a pro at solo retreats. The registration process was retched. More back and forth than a kid on a swing. I tried to be as patient as possible since this was the first time they opened it to the public and they received a ton of interest and traffic the first day of registration crashed their server. Was finally able to secure a spot a couple days later and then proceeded with payment (paypal). I received a handful of emails from different LA River Expedition contacts about my reservation (I was assigned to the wrong group, No, I was in the right group, We haven't received your payment, etc.,). The group assignment issues didn't bother me, but the consistent emails about a lack of payment really irked me. I provided substantial proof of my processed payment, including a bank statement, and never received a single response after any of my reply emails. Finally the Friday before my scheduled Monday trip came and I still had no idea if there would be a kayak with my name on it. After many pleas for some kind of human being telling me all was good, I received an email saying that I should re-register for the trip and they would make a note for the instructor. Fine, I thought, then I go to re-register and of course couldn't because all of the trips were sold out. Arrrrggghhhhhhhhhhhh. I emailed back quickly and again received no reassurance. I figured I'd take my chance since I had cleared my schedule for it anyway. The instructions for the meetup were as vague and random as the previous illustrated interaction. Once I got to the awkwardly described meeting place I was instructed to drive to a different meeting place. I am good with directions so I was able to find my way but left my phone and any valuables in the car, per the instructions. When I got to the blast off location they didn't have my name and frustration started to swell immediately but luckily the lady taking the names was very laissez-faire about the whole thing and just jotted my name down after I provided my signed waiver to her upon request. I walked down to a row of about 10 kayaks, which was unfortunate because there were more than 10 of us making the trek. We stood around for 45 minutes waiting for someone, anyone to give us instruction or education about the river. Not happening. We just continuously touched our kayak to show it was ours, which left two paid adventurers having to share a canoe with instructors. They were good sports, but I wouldn't have been given my back and forth with them. There was no instruction to get on the water or stay on the water so we just fend for ourselves. My favorite part was rowing away from the group by my lonesome and wishing and washing through the river. It was hot, it was interrupted by inconsequential questions, and dirty, but I must admit, I would not know otherwise without this trip. While I would easily brush aside the organizers, I would like to envision the place in the future as a recreational haven for families that can frolic in the treated waters with no reservation at all. read more

This was great. I was unsure about kayaking out in the heat at first, but it was fun! I had the best time! The guide was exciting, funny, and knows everything about the herbs, history, and environmental area around LA. Highly recommended, 10/10. read more

LA River Expeditions, in particular, Rudolpho, Claudio, and Chelsea, helped make 3, 69 year old ladies have loads of fun. They are careing activists and were informative as well as fun! We kayaked for several hours in midday, next time early am might be better for wildlife viewing. En route we saw a good deal of debris left over from the rains this year. I hope this will be a wake up call to everyone that takes this trip to be wiser and more careful about how and where we dispose of our own trash.. read more

Maybe last year these guys didn't have their act together (katie's review 9/7/12) but they do now. I had a wonderful time on the river today with George and crew - they did a great job. River was beautiful, a bit more rocks than expected, rapids can be challenging for someone 62 like me, not boring, you will get wet (warm water). I had a wonderful time. read more

We did a trip in the Sepulveda basin. 1) Kids should be 13+. Website said 10+ would be okay, but the two 10-year-olds on our trip really weren't able to navigate kayaks by themselves and had to be towed. The guides were very nice and helpful about towing. 2) Guides were friendly, but not very organized. Took a long time to get everyone their equipment. They did not have kid-sized life preservers or helmets, which isn't a big deal considering the water never appeared to be more than 4 feet deep. 3) There was a LOT of stopping to talk. The talking part was moderately interesting and educational, but could have been shorter. 4) The pictures you see are pretty nice, lots of trees hanging over the water... but you won't really forget you're in an urban environment. There is trash EVERY WHERE. This is certainly not the fault of LA River Expeditions, just manage your expectations accordingly, this is not a pristine paradise. 5) THE WATER IS NOT SAFE. We did not get sick, thank god, but the kids did a lot of wading and we didn't think twice about it because the guides kept emphasizing how clean and safe the water is. I'm not accusing them of lying, but they are just wrong. http://www.smobserved.com/story/2016/07/27/opinion/heal-the-bay-calls-los-angeles-river-water-quality-troubling/1675.html read more

You can't be a prima donna about this trip (see Katie B. review). While well written, it's really a bit too much "customer service centric" prattle for a "hey, let's do some activism and raise some money" event. Yes, the process sucked last year - in its first year. But, hey, I'm guessing Disneyland's first day wasn't all pixie dust and fairy tales. These guys are the real deal. They are NOT professional river runners making their living taking drunks and Girl Scouts down the Kern. These are the people who convinced the government that even though they made it look like hell by concreting it in, the LA River is indeed a river. I just registered for this year's event, which was handled by Brown Bag Events. It was smooth (and the guys from LA River Exp. owned up to it sucking last year). This is a non-profit venture, so please have some patience and give these guys the break they deserve for being the first people to turn this bed of concrete back into a river. read more

Um. I LOVE kayaking and have gone many many times all over the country. This experience was like being on Amazing Race. I love the serenity, wildlife, and exercise of kayaking but this was harrowing and not at all enjoyable. I would have preferred kayaking with gators over this (something I have done before). The guides were pretty decent so it added some humor. But I would never kayak again at this location. read more

As hard as it is to believe, yes, there IS a Los Angeles River and IT IS navegable! After last year's trip on the Sepulveda Basin, I thought I'd like a bit of a more challenging (and closer to home) trip. We launched our boats some 10 minutes from downtown LA and paddled through some rapids, an amazing "rock garden" and some tranquil green areas that would have you forget that you're in the middle of such a large city! It was fun looking up and thinking about how if I were in my car on Freeway 5, I would never imagine there was recreational activity going on in the river below. Imagine it....it's only going to get better. PS It was a great place to cool off on such a hot August day! And PSS It was a thrill to have George Wolfe (one of the first kayakers to prove the River's navegability) and Francis Roux (another experienced kayaker and talented guide) leading us on this adventure. read more

Purchased 4 tickets to go kayaking on July 11th, company cancelled trip due to the rain. I told them I could not reschedule and wanted a refund. They have not refunded me the money and I had to file a claim through PayPal. Service was good until I told them I wanted a refund. Now, they do not respond to emails nor phone calls. Very unprofessional and untrustworthy company. They eventually refunded back my money but only after I told them I would have to take them to small claims court if they continued to refuse to refund me the money. read more

LA River Expeditions has a place in my heart. These dedicated people are helping to restore the river, by introducing us to our own city, and the flora and fauna that reside with us. Last year we kayaked with them in the Glendale Narrows area, this year we kayaked above the Sepulveda dam. In the narrows, there was great bird watching, and interesting plant life. You also see civil engineering up close, as you pass under multiple bridges. A guide was very handy on this route as there were some rocky sections, and areas where you needed to choose your route wisely to avoid unnecessary portaging. On the 2.5 miles above the Sepulveda dam, it is a much gentler paddle, with plenty of water right now. We saw a giant carp (koi) and many egrets, and even a blue heron (see photo). The trees are amazing in their variety. While this isn't a kayak / rafting trip in Hawaii, or Colorado, it is much more meaningful. Do you want to know why we need a plastic bag ban in LA? Come see the riverside where some tree branches are wrapped in wind-blown plastic. Honestly, it is a very relaxing and thought provoking experience to paddle your river. Bring the teens so they can judge for themselves, and get their own Sierra Club membership started. read more

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Loved this!!! What a great intro to kayaking the LA River! Thanks for such a convenient excursion. You just arrive and they provide all the equipment and bonus.. Bikes to ride back! I would warn anyone who is challenged by getting up and down (in and out of the kayak) it is very physically challenging. If you are able to get up and sit down on the ground,(simulating getting in and out of your boat) over and over, you are fit enough for this trip. Keep in mind that the river is rushing by and the current can knock you down, the river bed is very uneven with huge rocks covered in moss, making it extremely slippery. There were people who just had to quit due to exhaustion from tipping over and repeated having to get back in their boat. There are many parts that require you to get out and walk your boat over shallow rocky areas as well. The bigger you are unfortunately the more often you will hit bottom and have to get out, there were some children who sailed through the same areas. The weather was perfect for my morning ride, the water is not very cold when you do get wet, the scenery is wonderful! I am ready to take the river on and want tom get my own kayak now!!! :D read more

What a wonder time my family and I had. Really, my boys enjoyed it so much that they kept bragging to me to go one more time. I had zero kayaking experience and once I got hang of it it was just fun. As for my boys they somehow got hang of it right away. I might even sign them up for kayaking during summer because both of therm really loved it. read more

This is one of the most fun experiences I've ever had and I went from "agh I'm not athletic enough to do this" to "heck yeah I'm gonna become an awesome kayaker." Pro tip, the green Kayaks are harder to maneuver- it would be nice for that to be announced before choosing them, but at least it made me feel a little vindicated when they told me that. Other pro trip- pee first- no bathrooms on site so stop at a Starbucks. We had just under 20 people on our tour and I quickly ended up trailing behind - I'd never been on a kayak and had trouble learning how to maneuver and not just spin in circles- many many thanks to guide, Donovan for the encouragement - he assured me there was no need to hurry or stress. Ultimately I figured out how to work my kayak properly and we made it to the end just in time to catch the end of the brief chat the main guide, Gary, was having with the group - follow him on IG TarzanofLosAngeles to hear about his mission to help the world #consumeaslittleaspossible. I had concerns about the safety of the LA river- apparently if it rains that week the trip may be cancelled for water quality but outside of that it's ok, but don't drink it guys! The route is about 3 miles round trip- it's a 2.5 hour excursion - it looks like you're on the Disney jungle cruise in the best way. It was honestly near the top of my physical abilities but in a great and challenging way- there were some senior citizens there so as long as you're under 50 and in ok-ish health you can do this- if not probably consult your doctor beforehand. At $45 it's not the cheapest but there is usually a 10 percent discount code. It's a short season- grab your tickets before they are gone! Thank you for an amazing time! read more

Awesome! Without hesitation kayaking with LARX was one of my most enjoyable experiences in Los Angeles! Go do it! This is a must do for any Los Angelino. The tour was several hours/miles and went through some incredibly lush vegetation, mild rapids, diverse urbana, and concluded with a quick bike ride back to the put in. It was not nearly as physically demanding as the waivers made it sound. Bring sun screen and a water bottle with a carabiner! I read about George and his wild kayaking to open up the river when he first navigated the entire 52 mile stretch several years ago. Since then his activism has helped transform the legal status of the river and increase wildlife/water quality protection. This is a big deal! Way to go! A greener, happier, healthier Los Angeles is change we all need! read more

Sorry to say, we never got out on the river--the truck with the kayaks broke down and did not make it to the start point. That was disappointing, but more disturbing was the lack of communication with the 10 people waiting to go on the trip. There was a young woman working with LA River Expeditions, but she made no effort to connect with us when we got there, nor did she keep us updated until the trip was finally cancelled. We are getting refunds, and will book instead with PaddletheLARiver.org. That group had a well-organized meeting place, lots of information, and costs only $30, instead of $50, for essentially the same trip. read more

Great little adventure in the city. Leaders and volunteers were very knowledgable and we got a lot of good info about history and current situation of the LA river. The kayaking itself was fun, not intense at all and revealed some unexpected beauty. read more

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Just wanted to update! we went again in 2016 and did the Glendale Narrows trip. Our Guides Gary and Rudy were great. This was by far the best year. The Glendale Narrows trip does require physical activity. I had to get out of my kayak and move it off of rocks and got stuck on some shallow parts but the challenge and the (small) rapids made it superb. They drove us back to the starting point this year which worked out great (instead of the biking as in my previous review) We will be back again next year! Thanks LA River Expeditions! read more

Signed up to LA Adventures with a group of 10 hiking friends; I know we all really enjoyed the almost 3 hours kayaking on the LA River in the Sepulveda basin area; it was peaceful & relaxing, educational and lots of laughs with a bit of exercise thrown in. Big thanks to our fun guides: Gary Golding (#consumeaslittleaspossible; great message for everyone) and Alberto, also Ellen our educator. Thanks to George Wolfe too for his vision and effort to make this kayak adventure happen. Very recommended. read more

The informational literature does not lie. You WILL get wet, your kayak WILL get stuck on rocks occasionally, but you WILL ALSO have an incredible experience on the LA River. I spent my teenage years exploring the edge of the concrete channel and once even ventured onto the channel bottom. This was my first experience with that concrete channel as a real river. Do NOT miss an opportunity to become acquainted with an amazing oasis of wildlife in the center of our metropolis! read more

GREAT tour, and GREAT guides. This trip was a genuine treat, a slow moving slice of a special part of Los Angeles. I had no idea this was even a thing. Thank you for reaching out to my veteran group, this was the kind of trip that would benefit anyone from tourist to resident. Great knowledge of the river, it's flora and fauna, the local birds and history of the river. These guys were instrumental in opening up the river and now they are helping others enjoy it so, THANK YOU. read more

One minute you're driving on the 405 and the next moment you are transported to what feels like a tributary of the Amazon River. My friend and I got to experience this the other day when we signed up for the LA River Expedition at the Sepulveda Basin. We got to see herons, egrets and fish that were so happy they we're parading around and jumping for joy. How is this possible in the middle of the concrete jungle? Apparently floods removed the concrete from the section of the river and a filter system keeps the water relatively (not for drinking) clean. As a result there is a mile and a half stretch of river that is much like it was when the indigenous people called the LA River home. We got to kayak with a group of about 20 people - very diverse group in age and a few tourists. Our guides were very knowledgeable and provided an extra value to an already outstanding experience. Thanks. read more

Did the Sepulveda Dam section of the river today. The paperwork they sent was excellent as far as giving directions and detailing what to expect. The staff was courteous and a bit quirky but entertaining as one would expect for LA. Apparently the tandem kayaks are pretty hard to paddle for novices...my wife and I (experienced paddlers) offered to exchange our singles with one couple that was having a tough time and they were grateful. The best part was this section of the LA River. What a wonderful little gem in the middle of everything urban. While there is "trash" high in the trees left over from last year's flooding, it is beautiful and serene for the most part. We saw "the" turtle, Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and fish. It was a fine time on the river. read more

I am a teacher and from the beginning of last school year my 6th graders had wanted to do a class kayaking trip down the LA River. However, a youth program had not been developed yet. All that changed when I discovered that two weeks ago, LA River Expeditions was about to start one. We were able to gather a few of my former students, and, finally, go on a kayaking adventure down the LA River. Upon arriving at 7am, George and Dan did a fantastic job of setting us up with the necessary safety equipment and procedures. The kids had no idea what to expect, and neither did I. From the moment we touched the water until the end of our journey on the bike path, George expertly guided us along the river. It was amazing to see that in the 2 1/2 hour trip, the students' confidence level in maneuvering through the river increased dramatically. There were many obstacles they had to overcome along the way such as getting stuck on rocks, paddling their kayaks forward and backward, gliding into bushes and then getting out of them, going down the rapids, and physical exhaustion. Yet, they did it. With hard work and perseverance, they were able to make it, sometimes independently and sometimes with a little push from a fellow kayaker. I wish all LA youth could experience this HUGE life lesson on the LA River. No matter how difficult things get, you will pull through. Sometimes you need to go with the flow and things resolve themselves on their own, or, if the situation is a bit more difficult, support from others can get us through. It was also great for my students to see nature up close in LA. We saw lush vegetation and a variety of birds, including the great blue heron. I hope more children are able to experience this amazing journey on the LA River so that they can appreciate more of what our great city has to offer. read more

What a great experience on the LA River in the Sepulveda Basin! This was my second year in a row and would do it again! Great guide and support team! Thank you!! read more

I am a big fan - I have now kayaked the LA river twice on two different stretches: The Glendale Narrows Summer 2015, right below Dodger Stadium. There is quite a bit of white water, nothing too tough, a bit shallower with rocks to avoid. The 2.5 mile stretch of trees, greenery, egrets and blue herons. This is a part of the LA river most of us have never seen and the tour was great! So interesting to hear about the amount of water that flows through it, it now being designated as a protected river. Some of the water is reclaimed and it all is surprisingly clean. And all in our backyard - amazing and well worth it! I kayaked the Sepulveda Basin last Summer 2014, it is just west of the 405. It is deeper, narrower with overgrown trees on either bank. Tons of bird life. It is flat water and much better for kids than the Glendale Narrows. read more

We kayaked the Sepulveda Basin on a Sunday afternoon in late August. As 60-somethings who have only tried kayaking once before, we were able to handle the trip with relative ease, and we enjoyed it enormously. The river was pretty clear, full of fish, and host to many swimming and wading birds. Our guides told us a lot about the environment and concerns surrounding the river, so it was educational as well as enjoyable. And more fun than the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland! read more

Group of 13 went. We had a fantastic time. Guides were informative and fun. Would recommend bringing some snacks and doing a little picnic along the way! Who knew you could fish out of the LA river! I was surprised to find an entire ecosystem of fish and birds. I would definitely go again. read more

We had a great time with George and Jed on the river! After some initial confusion about the scheduling of our trip, George was incredibly accommodating and generous with his time. We had a blast on the river! Very professional, yet homegrown operation. Clearly a lot of dedication to the community and the river. A totally unexpected treat in the middle of our very own City! read more

Kayaking on the LA river -- what an adventure! It was a whole new perspective of our city. George and Francis were knowledgeable and thoughtful guides. What a great way to spend an afternoon in Los Angeles! read more

I missed the lotto in 2011 (darn!). I got in on 2012, but got sick. So 2013 was my first time on the river. Can I just tell you how fun it was? Yes, it's early, and yes, you do have to help move your kayaks out of the river. But the overall experience was definitely unique. I was fortunate in that we had a fairly experienced group of kayakers, so it didn't slow down our pace that much. Inevitable traffic jams along the rockier areas did occur, but that's just part of the fun. The different birds made the trip totally worth it. I do wish that it was a little deeper for better navigation, but oh well. Definitely glad we did the 7am trip as it got pretty warm towards the end of the trip. read more

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This is a great way to get a nature fix in the middle of the city. The water in the Sepulveda Basin area of the river is gentle and easy to paddle. We saw an owl (think it was a great horned), a cooper's hawk, lots of duck families, stilts, herons. We had an ecologist with us who pointed out native and non-native plant species and gave a short, interesting talk about the watershed. The restoration of the LA River is exciting and important and I'm grateful to all of the organizations and individuals who have been working to make it happen. And kudos to Rudy and Donovan for setting a mellow tone and being excellent guides. read more

LA River Expeditions played a critical role in Inyo County getting approval for the Owens River Water Trail grant (http://www.inyowater.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/OWENS-RIVER-WATER-TRAIL-FULL-APPLICATION-20150901.pdf) To get ready for the site visit by the California Natural Resources agency, a group of us had to clear a portion of the Lower Owens River so that the agency folks could actually get a canoe on the Lower Owens and see for themselves the value of the Lower Owens River Water Trail. Getting that section of the Lower Owens River ready for the site visit was hard work and entailed getting in the river with wetsuits and special "tule cutters", cutting the tules, pulling them out on the bank at designated sites, finding and moving logs and removing trash. A group from LA River Expeditions came up to help over two week-ends in June. We could not have done this without them! Thank you so much for helping out your "Sister River" in the Owens Valley. Mary Roper President - Owens Valley Committee read more

Great experience, beautiful scenery. Staff was very helpful and fun. Would definitely recommend and will do it again next year!!

Stop thinking about kayaking the LA River and DO IT! You will be surprised by the beauty, exhilarated by the paddling, enlightened by the information gleaned from the guides, entertained by your co-paddlers, determined to see more of the river opened for recreation and oh so very pleased with yourself! This was my second time with LA River Expeditions. The first was two years ago. They are organized and knowledgable and best of all, George Wolfe has been largely responsible for opening up the river for the rest of us. read more