Off the Los Angeles coast, the enjoyment of kayaking is possible for the most stalwart landlubber, given a seaworthy guide and enticing scenery. Experienced sea kayakers, as well as families with varying levels of expertise, will also find fun and jaw-dropping moments. Most kayak tours, lessons and rentals are offered year-round in L.A. County where beach-town, daytime temperatures average in the 60s and low 70s in winter to the 70s and mid-80s F in summer. It’s about five degrees cooler on the water, depending on the breeze. Remember your sunglasses so you can enjoy the sun sparkling like sequins on the blue that surrounds you, as city noise fades to the lap of refreshing water against your paddle blades and the call of a gull.
Malibu's Surfrider
- You needn’t be a Gidget or Moondoggie to sit on top of the world at Malibu’s famous Surfrider Beach. For your kayaking needs, “Sunset” magazine recommends The Surf Shack, a Malibu staple since 1972 where you can rent single and double sit-on-top kayaks by the hour or day. If this will be your maiden voyage, consider one of their tours – learn the thrill of riding a wave and glide through the water along rich-and-famous hangouts such as Carbon “Billionaire’s” Beach and the Malibu Colony. After returning, relax on the sand at Surfrider.
Redondo Beach
- Sharing Santa Monica Bay with Malibu, Redondo is another great place to kayak. Paddle to South Redondo’s surf line, and you have a good chance of sharing the waves with dolphins after you check out the sea lions in Redondo Beach Marina, which is where the fun starts. At Pedal Boat & Kayak Rentals, you can rent a single or double sit-on-top kayak – very stable and easy to maneuver – or make like an Inuet and opt for a touring kayak with spray to keep the bottom half of you dry and cozy. Snag a tour with Rocky Point Fun, recommended by “Coastal Living” magazine, and you can glide over calm waters, and down fun and easy waves along the craggy Palos Verdes Peninsula, once a part of the Channel Islands. Below giant kelp forests sway, and above ritzy homes perch on cliffs.
Marina del Ray
- Also in Santa Monica Bay, Marina del Rey is home to one of the most thorough providers of kayaking lessons on the West Coast. UCLA Marina Aquatic Center offers lessons, rentals and a variety of outings for every level of kayaker. Specialty tours include a full-moon paddle that begins at sunset to take advantage of one of L.A.’s most scenic wonders. Paddle in the upscale Marina del Rey harbor or in the outer bay. Learn to surf-kayak or take lessons in their pool. Paddle a single or tandem sit-on-top kayak or touring kayak. They can also hook you up with kayaking clubs. Requirements include the ability to swim and tread water, and depending on the type of kayaking you want to do, you may need to take a class or test out if you are experienced
Long Beach
- Combine beachtown sightseeing and ocean kayaking in Long Beach. Rent your crafts at Kayaks on the Water, and paddle in the placid waters of Alamitos Bay and through the canals that surround the bay’s Naples Island. Dock at one of a handful of restaurants or beach your kayak, picnic and wiggle your toes in the sand. Alamitos Bay is a stone’s throw across the San Gabriel to Seal Beach at the southernmost end of L.A. beaches and just above Orange County’s Huntington Beach.
Santa Catalina Island
- Just 21 miles and less than 1 hour on a ferry out of Los Angeles’ San Pedro Harbor, you can kayak on the wild coast of Santa Catalina Island. Most of the island is owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy, making it one of L.A.’s best kayaking spots for nature lovers. Boats take visitors to the island. In winter, look for migrating gray whales and in summer look for flying fish, the latter rocket 30 feet out of the water and then glide for about a quarter of a mile. Sign up ahead of time for a kayaking tour or rental, or do so after you arrive. You can walk from the harbor to the kayak outfitters.Wet Spot Rentals provides a few tips and off you go -- in a glass-bottom kayak if you choose. Descanso Beach Ocean Sports offers a variety of nature-oriented tours. Paddle at night far from Avalon’s lights to see the stars plaster a dark sky, and take turns on a beach with a telescope. Or get up early – really early – and get out on the water as the island comes to life: Pastel color washes the seascape as early morning calm quickens with the sunrise to swells and a bald eagle snatches a breakfast fish a few feet away. Kayaking off Catalina provides chances to see dolphins, seals, whales, leopard sharks, scores of birds, buffalo -- yes, buffalo -- and the rare and endemic Santa Catalina fox.
