Kayaking in Southern California?

Question

I want to go try it out, where is the best beach to go kayaking at?

Answer 1

Try Laguna Beach

Answer 2

If you're in San Diego, go take a lesson or tour from Aqua Adventures. The owner there is one of the highest rated instructors in the country.

Answer 3

If you're a complete beginner, then I would suggest something calm, and it won't get much mellower than Newport Back Bay.  

Southwind Kayaks has a rental center there, and you can try a variety of different boats.  

http://www.southwindkayaks.com/rental-ra...

Read up on the techniques to make your first venture a happy one.  If you use poor technique, you'll work harder than you need to and that could turn you off from paddling.  Nothing like sore muscles to make you not want to try again.  Check out some of these articles before you go:

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showA...

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showA...

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showA...

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showA...

After you've tried it a few times, sign up for classes and learn about paddling on the ocean.  It's a lot of fun, and you can have your first open ocean experience happen with the safety of a qualified instructor beside you.  

http://www.southwindkayaks.com/class-sea...

Answer 4

Southern CA is pretty big and that question is a bit to general since I don't know where exactly you live or how far you want to drive. If in San Diego area La Jolla is a great stretch of beach to kayak but the waves can be a bit intimidating for beginners. If Los Angeles I would go to the Malibu area. If near Ventura I would recommend Emma Wood beach located off sea cliff drive (just off the 101 freeway. I would say Santa Barbara has the easiest beaches to launch from and prettiest views from the ocean, especially Gaviota (just north of SB). Refugio beach 15 minutes north of SB and would be my best suggestion. Also if you like fishing off kayaks this is a hot spot for halibut and other fish. I've even seen Thresher sharks brought in from fisherman on kayaks in this area.