La Jolla Kayak Adventures

Itinerary for a Great Day in La Jolla

Posted on April 12, 2013

San Diego County is home to many beautiful coastal communities, but none stand out as much as the gorgeous town of La Jolla, CA. With seven miles of stunning and dramatic coastline including the La Jolla Underwater Park, La Jolla Cove, the Children’s Pool and large white sand beach of the Shores, La Jolla is the number one destination in San Diego for visitors looking to spend some quality time in the ocean.

As a San Diego native, my childhood consisted of frequent trips to this incredible area to peruse tide pools, check out the seals and sea lions at the Children’s Pool or try my hand at snorkeling. This affluent neighborhood manages to maintain a homey feel while also catering to visitors from out of town. There are lots of things to see – and some you really don’t want to miss – so here is my suggested itinerary for a great day spent in La Jolla!

1.     See the Seals at the Children’s Pool: The La Jolla Children’s Pool is the subject of some controversy in San Diego, but its’ a great place to get up close and personal with seals and sea lions. The interesting sea mammals have taken up residence in what was originally designed to be a protected beach for local children to enjoy and be safe from the waves. But alas, the seals and sea lions found it appealing as well and have since taken over. The city goes back and forth on this issue, but the beach now attracts visitors who love to see the seals and sea lions basking and barking in the sunshine. Spring is an especially good time to head to the Children’s Pool as its pupping season and guests can see the newborn seals as they swim around and sunbathe on the beach.

2.     Go on a Kayak and Snorkel Tour with La Jolla Kayak: For the ultimate ocean experience in La Jolla, I recommend booking the kayak and snorkel tour with La Jolla Kayak. This exciting tour will take guests on a kayaking and snorkeling adventure across the La Jolla Underwater Park and over to the seven sea caves where guests can snorkel safely with a certified guide who will point out wildlife such as seals, sea lions, bright orange Garibaldi and even harmless leopard sharks. Each tour is two hours long, but as an added bonus, guests can then keep their snorkel gear for an additional two hours to continue the fun! There is no better way to experience this beautiful underwater park than with a kayak and snorkel tour from La Jolla Kayak!

3.     Picnic in the Park: Just above La Jolla Cove, there is a beautiful flat grass park perfect for an oceanfront picnic. The Ellen Browning Scripps Park is known as the most photographed location in San Diego where bright green grass is stretched out to the edge of the bluffs above some of San Diego’s most beautiful beaches. To the north is La Jolla Cove and to the south is the Children’s Pool, making Scripps Park a great destination for a picnic complete with plenty of space to throw a Frisbee or kick a soccer ball around with friends.

4.     Grab a Drink at the Marine Room: The Marine Room restaurant in La Jolla is an attraction all on its own. It’s a little pricey, but the unbelievable views and beachfront location make it a great place to grab a drink and relax after a long day in the sun. If you happen to get to the Marine Room at high tide, you’ll experience the beauty of the waves actually crashing against the windows of this swanky bar and restaurant. Feel free to dress up for the occasion and explore the La Jolla social scene at the infamous Marine Room.

5.     Stay in a Beautiful La Jolla Hotel: There are countless gorgeous beachfront hotels in San Diego and La Jolla is home to some of the best. From the exquisite La Valencia with stunning ocean views and a central location in the heart of La Jolla, to the more budget-friendly Sheraton La Jolla, there are plenty of great hotels to choose from. After kayaking, snorkeling and enjoying the sun, it’s best to relax at a top San Diego hotel nearby and get a good night’s rest before starting the fun again.

This article was written by Carli Leavitt, the editor of SanDiego.com. Carli is a San Diego native with a wealth of knowledge about local attractions, hotels, beaches and nightlife venues in Southern California.

Leopard Shark Snorkel Tour

Posted on April 11, 2013

Join us on an experience that you will surely never forget as we guide you through the La Jolla Ecological reserve to snorkel with leopard sharks. Don’t confuse these sharks with a dangerous predator; these sharks are HARMLESS making them an ideal shark to snorkel amongst. Our Leopard Shark Snorkel Tour is a legendary experience, especially during the summer months when schools of these friendly fish come to relax in the shallows of La Jolla's Underwater Park.

The underwater park is where these gentile creatures choose to congregate and give birth to their young. The gestation period usually last around 10 months or so and unlike most sharks, leopard sharks give live birth to a litter of pups. A fully mature female leopard shark can give birth to as many as 37 pups in a litter. These pups can be seen swimming close to shore for the beginning of their life, amongst the safe haven of the rocky reef habitats that surround the beautiful coastline of La Jolla. Once to adulthood an adult leopard shark reaches an average length of around 5 feet and can live up to 30 years, only reaching adult maturity at age 7 - 13.

This is a very gentile and weary shark, naturally adapted to sense movement in the water and swim away in defense. Our experienced guides invite you to join us on this adventure as we take you to the areas along our sandy shore in the calm waters of La Jolla Shores to witness these gorgeous creatures in their natural environment. Our guided trips include all the gear you need for the tour, which includes mask and snorkel, fins and a wet suit along with the most experienced and friendly guides in the business. Call us for advanced reservations and discounts. La Jolla Kayak (858) 459-1114

Kids FREE October!

Posted on September 25, 2012

During the entire month of October, kids eat, stay and play for free throughout San Diego. La Jolla Kayak is proud to annouce that we will be offering free kayak tours for kids during October 2012! This is a great opportunity for the family to enjoy some quality time, while not breaking the bank. Our kayak tours are appropriate for swimmers age 6 and up, and no kayaking experience is necessary.

In a double kayak, you and your child can discover the spectacular sea cliffs, the seven caves and the La Jolla Underwater Park with abundanct wildlife! Come join us on a thrilling kayak experience of the Seven Caves and La Jolla's Underwater Park. This 2 hour kayak tour will explore some of the finest scenery along the Pacific Coast and see some of the most spectacular marine life around, such as Dolphin, Sea Lions, Leopard Sharks and Garibaldi. Our certified instructors will provide you with a safe and memorable trip. 

The Original Kayak Tour is available year-round (weather permitting) and the price includes your paddle, Personal Floatation Device (PFD), kayak, and tour guide.

Same day tour reservations are subject to availability. Age 6+ for double kayak tours (with Adult.) 

For more information on this city wide promotion, visit http://www.sandiego.org/promotions/kids-free.aspx. 

TO REDEEM: Call us at 858-459-1114 and mention "Kids Free October!"

Labor Day Weekend in La Jolla!

Posted on September 02, 2012

Labor Day Weekend in San Diego means different things to everyone. Maybe it's a great time for  a BBQ with your family, or perhaps you are just looking forward to some r&r. We're here to remind you that there are many things happening in La Jolla this weekend.

Sunday, September 2nd 2012- visit the La Jolla Open Aire Market from 9 am to 1pm. "Consistently ranked as one of the largest and best farmers markets in San Diego, our Sunday Market in La Jolla has grown to become one of the premier weekly events for locals and tourists alike. Families and their kids can enjoy the live music, fresh air, playgrounds, and grass fields to run and play on." read on...

Sunday September 2nd 2012-  Catch the last of the FREE La Jolla Concerts By the Sea.  Taking place at Elle-Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla Cove, this family-friendly, FREE concert is fun for everyone and offers a wide variety of musical styles.

All Weekend- Sharks Invade La Jolla! Leopard Sharks, that is. Don't worry, they're harmless, but that doesn't take the thrill away from snorkeling with them only inches away! 

What ever you plan to do this 3 day weekend, we hope you have fun & are safe! 

Tell it to your neighbor!

Posted on August 30, 2012

 La Jolla Kayak was recently featured on the Tell it to your neighbor blog...

You might give some serious thought to getting away to La Jolla, California.  Everything about it adds up to a perfect trip with friends.  I just got back from there with my girlfriends and I loved every minute of it!  Are you familiar with YOLO (you only live once)?  My friend Laura introduced the phrase to us and it's how we made our decisions on this trip.  :)  Not only is the weather amazing and the views spectacular but you can also go on an adventure!  Here's my list of the Best of La Jolla.  Add it to your itinerary when you go and you'll have a good time guaranteed, tell it to your neighbor!!!

#8.  La Jolla Kayak -  We took a guided group tour from the beach to the caves and back to the beach.  Our guides were so cool!  They pointed out where Dr. Seuss lived, talked about the protected cove and we got to watch the sea lions up close and see the orange Garibaldi fish swimming below.  Reservations are made online but be sure to show up 30 min before your reservation and bring a waterproof camera.

This is a picture of us coming in after a then terrifying now hilarious experience of watching a foreign speaking couple capsize and almost drown with their life jackets on!  They grabbed onto our boat, Laura's straps specifically, and they were panicking because they couldn't swim!  Thank goodness our calm guides came to their rescue!

Thanks to Tell it to your neighbor for a great write up. Let us know if you would like to guest blog for La Jolla Kayak.

You can read the whole blog post here on Tell it to your neighbor!

Endless Summer?

Posted on August 27, 2012

Snorkel with the Leopard Sharks!

Posted on June 17, 2012

It’s that season again! The time of year when you can do the unimaginable; swim with the sharks! Each June, as the weather gets warmer, Leopard Sharks start to congregate in large groups in the shallow waters of La Jolla Shores. This local phenomenon happens right off the coast, amidst the presence of adventurous swimmers. Don’t assume, however, that this activity is reserved only for the extremists. Leopard Sharks are completely harmless and are, in fact, bottom feeders with small mouths. La Jolla Kayak is now offering their seasonal “Snorkel with the Leopard Sharks” guided tour. Experienced guides will make sure you safely check out the best spots to be surrounded by schools of sharks. The tour is available during the months of June to Sep-tember, to all swimmers over the age of 6.

Although Leopard Sharks are common to these local waters, the enormity in which they gather this time of year is unique to La Jolla Shores. It is thought that these sharks come here to gestate in the warmth and tranquility spe-cific to this area. Leopard Sharks got their name from their distinctive dark brown spots, resembling a leopard’s print. They are usually 5 ft long, and weigh about 20lbs. The best way to experience these beautiful creatures is to snorkel in the shallow waters of La Jolla Shores during the summer month.

What: Snorkel Tour with the Leopard Sharks. Appropriate for swimmers over the age of 6.

When: Daily- 10am, 12pm, and 1pm. Tours last 1 hour with your guide and you can keep the equipment for an additional 2 hours afterwards to explore on your own.

Cost: From $29 per person. Includes a 1 our guided tour with a professional and knowledgeable guide, and all the equipment you will need; Mask & Snorkel, Fins, and Wetsuit.

Our Great Reviews!

Posted on April 28, 2012

We consider ourselves very lucky to have San Diego's finest kayak, snorkel, and bike guides as part of our team. So, of course, it is always a delight when our team is recognized throughout a variety of online outlets. Just recently, team members such as Tommy and Cory were mentioned on Yelp and Trip Advisor. Keep up the good work guys!

If you're curious what all the buzz is about, feel free to peruse some of the enthusiastic and helpful reviews at Yelp.com or TripAdvisor.com, by some very satisfied guests. You'll be sure to see that here at La Jolla Kayak, we'll offer you professionalism, safety, and an all around good time! Ensuring you enjoy every moment of your tour is our number 1 priority.

And after you take your tour with us, we would really appreciate your feedback on one of these listed sites. We take all reviews seriously, and appreciate any and all comments! 

Trip Advisor

Yelp!

Google Maps

New Slide Show

Posted on March 24, 2012

Cool Stuff To Do in San Diego

Posted on March 17, 2012

 Hey Everyone,

This week we had Ian and the crew of CoolStuffSanDiego.com come out on a tour. The weather was perfect and the water was gorgeous. It was an incredible day for a kayak. The guys shot a video for their website which you can view here. That's me talking in the intro. We had a great day out, and we really appreciate these guys putting this together for us. They've got a great site where they share fun things to do here in San Diego. I highly recommend visiting their website to get some ideas for your next adventure.

If you're thinking about taking a La Jolla Kayak tour, and you're not sure what to expect, this video should give you a pretty good idea about what it's like. If you have any questions don't hesitate to call us at 858-459-1114 to talk to any of our guides on the spot. 

Hope to see you out on the water soon.

-Andrew, La Jolla Kayak Tour Guide

Things to do in San Diego

Posted on March 15, 2012

 Bikinis, flip-flops, and tan lines. It must be Spring Break!

Hey guys, Matt here! A lot of people head to San Diego for their spring break vacation. With t-shirt weather pretty much all year round, and always something fun to do, who wouldn't want to come to San Diego? As a San Diego native, and tour guide for La Jolla Kayak, I'm pretty much asked on a daily basis where to eat, sleep, shop, and hang out near the beach. If you want to know how the "locals" spend their time, just head down to the shores and you'll see right away why La Jolla is the best place to visit while in San Diego. 

La Jolla is one of those beach town cities where you can walk everywhere, eat at the best restaurants, visit dozens of tourist attractions, and, of course, hop in a kayak to enjoy the water. If you are just spending the day here in La Jolla, be sure to check out one of my favorite places to eat, Papalulus or Jeff's Burger for a quick bite before or after your kayak, bike or snorkel tour. If you're here for the evening, maybe staying at La Shores Hotel, or Hotel La Jolla, have dinner at Piatti's, an award winning restaurant just steps away from La Jolla Kayak. Those of you up for a little night-life, well, La Jolla is definitely known for being more of a quiet town, so most of us guides head to the nearby community of Windensea, for some drinks at The Shack.

I hope you find some useful information here. Be sure to request me as your guide on your next La Jolla Cave Tour!

-Matt, La Jolla Kayak Tour Guide

Introductions

Posted on October 12, 2011

Introducing the La Jolla Kayak Blog

And it’s about time we started blogging. You may think we’re just these awesome, dashing, beautiful…uhh punctual guys & gals you come to for all your kayak rental needs. Well we are that, and so much more. Combined we have more than 2000 (or something) years of real life experience and cannot wait to share it with our readers. Furthermore – we’re giving out coupons and the occasional schwag so you’ll want to stick around.
Want to know a little more about our guides? We’ve got ya covered. We’re going to do a deep dive into all the various ins and outs of La Jolla Cove and maybe even the goings on of San Diego. Because not only do we live here…we tweet about it.

So you’ve liked us on FB, you follow our tweets, now it’s time to get serious about your love for La Jolla Kayak and read our bloggage. We’ll do our best not to disappoint.