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Best Kayaking in California

We list 32 verified kayaking venues in California across 15 cities, with an average visitor rating of ★ 4.8/5 from 12,975 verified reviews. Every listing includes a verified address, phone, opening hours, real customer reviews, and Google-sourced photos.

See also: All sports in California · Kayaking across the US

California’s 12 verified kayaking venues offer everything from serene coastal paddles to fast-moving whitewater runs, catering to beginners testing calm bays and seasoned adventurers chasing rapids in the Sierra Nevada. Most visitors seek well-maintained launch points, clear water conditions, and access to rental gear or guided tours—whether they’re exploring sea caves along the Big Sur coast, navigating urban waterways in Sacramento, or tackling Class III-IV rapids on the American River. Prioritize venues with recent activity (check ratings and reviews) and proximity to your base, as road trips to remote spots can eat into your time on the water.

Kayaking by city in California

San Diego (6) La Jolla (5) San Francisco (3) Newport Beach (2) Long Beach (2) Sunset Beach (2) San Rafael (1) Oakland (1) Moss Landing (1) Santa Cruz (1) Merced (1) Alameda (1) Pismo Beach (1) Foster City (1) Sausalito (1)

Top-rated Kayaking venues in California (ranked)

Ranked by review count weighted by rating.

Bike and Kayak Tours — La Jolla — Kayaking venue in California

Bike and Kayak Tours — La Jolla

2158 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States

4.6(3941 reviews)
Everyday California Kayak, Surf & Snorkel — Kayaking venue in California

Everyday California Kayak, Surf & Snorkel

2261 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States

4.7(2593 reviews)
La Jolla Kayak — Kayaking venue in California

La Jolla Kayak

2199 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States

4.7(2123 reviews)
La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks — Kayaking venue in California

La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks

2164 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States

4.8(640 reviews)
Just Kayak – Paddle Board & Kayak Rentals — Kayaking venue in California

Just Kayak – Paddle Board & Kayak Rentals

4090 Dawes St, San Diego, CA 92109, United States

5.0(489 reviews)
Kayak Connection — Kayaking venue in California

Kayak Connection

2370 CA-1, Moss Landing, CA 95039, United States

4.8(628 reviews)
Kayaks On the Water — Kayaking venue in California

Kayaks On the Water

5411 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803, United States

4.7(447 reviews)
Everyday California Huntington Beach — Kayaking venue in California

Everyday California Huntington Beach

16910 Pacific Coast Hwy, Sunset Beach, CA 90742, United States

4.7(440 reviews)
Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Sausalito) — Kayaking venue in California

Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Sausalito)

2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, United States

4.8(330 reviews)
Central Coast Kayaks — Kayaking venue in California

Central Coast Kayaks

1879 Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach, CA 93449, United States

4.8(227 reviews)
Southwind Kayak Center Rental Base — Kayaking venue in California

Southwind Kayak Center Rental Base

100 N Bayside Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660, United States

4.8(207 reviews)
Hike Bike Kayak Adventures — Kayaking venue in California

Hike Bike Kayak Adventures

2222 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States

4.5(253 reviews)
Dogpatch Paddle & Kayak — Kayaking venue in California

Dogpatch Paddle & Kayak

701 Illinois St A, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States

5.0(125 reviews)
Venture Quest Kayak — Kayaking venue in California

Venture Quest Kayak

Municipal Wharf #2, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States

4.9(80 reviews)
City Kayak — Kayaking venue in California

City Kayak

40 Pier, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States

4.4(109 reviews)
San Diego Kayak Rental — Kayaking venue in California

San Diego Kayak Rental

1617 Quivira Rd, San Diego, CA 92109, United States

5.0(45 reviews)
California Windsurfing — Kayaking venue in California

California Windsurfing

650 Shell Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404, United States

4.4(70 reviews)
Sun Down Kayaking Company — Kayaking venue in California

Sun Down Kayaking Company

De Anza Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109, United States

4.8(48 reviews)
California Canoe & Kayak at Jack London Square — Kayaking venue in California

California Canoe & Kayak at Jack London Square

Jack London Square, 409 Water St, Oakland, CA 94607, United States

4.5(61 reviews)
OC Paddlesports — Kayaking venue in California

OC Paddlesports

16862 Pacific Coast Hwy, Sunset Beach, CA 90742, United States

4.4(39 reviews)
The Padyak Shack LLC — Kayaking venue in California

The Padyak Shack LLC

5714 Lake Rd, Merced, CA 95340, United States

4.9(22 reviews)
Stacked Adventures — Kayaking venue in California

Stacked Adventures

Encinal Boat Ramp, 190 Central Ave, Alameda, CA 94501, United States

4.6(18 reviews)
Mission Bay Stand Up Paddle — Kayaking venue in California

Mission Bay Stand Up Paddle

1548 Quivira Way, San Diego, CA 92109, United States

4.6(13 reviews)
IMUA Outrigger Canoe Club — Kayaking venue in California

IMUA Outrigger Canoe Club

1 Whitecliffs Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660, United States

5.0(6 reviews)

Map of Kayaking venues in California

32 venues plotted. Click a pin for details.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions about Kayaking in California

How many Kayaking facilities are listed in California?

We list 32 verified kayaking venues across 15 cities in California.

Which city in California has the most Kayaking venues?

Based on our directory, San Diego has the most kayaking venues (6).

How are the venues ranked?

Venues are ranked by a combination of average customer rating and total review count from Google. We do not accept paid placements for ranking position.

Is the data current?

Each listing's address, phone, hours, and rating data is sourced from Google Maps and re-verified on a rolling basis. Last network-wide refresh: July 2026.

How can I add a missing kayaking venue in California?

Visit our Contact page and submit your venue details — name, address, sport type, hours, and website. We verify and publish new listings within 7 days.

About this directory

This page lists Kayaking facilities in California, ranked by customer rating and review volume. We refresh the data periodically against public Google Maps records, including opening hours, photos, contact details, and recent customer reviews. If you spot an error or want to add a missing venue, use the Contact link at the foot of any page.