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Kayaking: Recreational flatwater kayaking: lakes, calm rivers, and bays for paddlers of every level.

Kayaking · California

Kayaking in California

27 outfitters across California. Ratings, hours, contact details and a map for each, all in one place.

View 27 outfittersGet listed free

Mapped river miles

32,804 mi

3,353 named reaches

Rated 4.5+ on Google

24 of 27

Cities

20

Most in San Diego (5), Redondo Beach (3), South Lake Tahoe (2)

Best season

Year-round

At a glance

Highest rated on Google

Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across the 26 of 27 outfitters in California with 10 or more Google reviews.

OutfitterCityRating
Just KayakSan Diego5.0498 Google reviews
Kayaking, Snorkeling & Surfing with Gary GoldingRedondo Beach5.070 Google reviews
Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Alameda)Alameda5.047 Google reviews
San Diego Kayak RentalSan Diego5.045 Google reviews
Smith River KayaksSmith River4.9123 Google reviews
Blue Waters KayakingPoint Reyes Station4.997 Google reviews
La Jolla KayakSan Diego4.82,186 Google reviews
Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Sausalito)Sausalito4.8342 Google reviews

Operators

Kayaking operators

Loads the full map of every listing on this page. We leave it off by default so the page opens fast on mobile data.

Baldwin Beach Kayak Tahoe

Baldwin Beach Kayak Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe, CA4.6(39)
Rating from Google Maps

Baldwin Beach Kayak Tahoe is a kayak and canoe livery in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Rated 4.6 by 39 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Blue Waters Kayaking

Blue Waters Kayaking

Point Reyes Station, CA4.9(97)
Rating from Google Maps

Blue Waters Kayaking is a kayak & canoe livery in Point Reyes Station. Rated 4.9 by 97 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
California Canoe & Kayak at Jack London Square

California Canoe & Kayak at Jack London Square

Oakland, CA4.5(61)
Rating from Google Maps

California Canoe & Kayak at Jack London Square is a kayak & canoe livery in Oakland. Rated 4.5 by 61 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Current Adventures Kayak School

Current Adventures Kayak School

Lotus, CA4.7(14)
Rating from Google Maps

Current Adventures Kayak School is a kayak & canoe livery in Lotus. They offer whitewater kayaking and rafting trips on the American River, Grand Canyon, East Fork Carson River, Rogue River, and…

Rating from Google Maps
Delta Kayak Rentals

Delta Kayak Rentals

Isleton, CA4.8(9)
Rating from Google Maps

Delta Kayak Rentals is a kayak & canoe livery in Isleton. They operate from Delta Bay Marina. Paddlers can explore tulle areas, islands, and marinas.

Rating from Google Maps
Half Moon Bay Kayak Co.

Half Moon Bay Kayak Co.

Half Moon Bay, CA4.6(257)
Rating from Google Maps

Half Moon Bay Kayak Co. is a kayak & canoe livery in Half Moon Bay. The outfitter also rents bikes for the California Coastal Trail. Rated 4.6 by 257 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Hike Bike Kayak Adventures

Hike Bike Kayak Adventures

San Diego, CA4.5(276)
Rating from Google Maps

Hike Bike Kayak Adventures is a kayak tour operator in San Diego, CA. Rated 4.5 by 276 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Just Kayak

Just Kayak

San Diego, CA5.0(498)
Rating from Google Maps

Just Kayak is a kayak and canoe livery in San Diego, CA. Rated 5.0 by 498 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Kayak Santa Barbara

Kayak Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA4.6(21)
Rating from Google Maps

Kayak Santa Barbara is a kayak and canoe livery in Santa Barbara, CA. Rated 4.6 by 21 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Kayak SUP Pedal Boat Rentals Redondo Beach

Kayak SUP Pedal Boat Rentals Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach, CA4.6(151)
Rating from Google Maps

Kayak SUP Pedal Boat Rentals Redondo Beach is a kayak and canoe livery in Redondo Beach, CA. Rated 4.6 by 151 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Kayak Tahoe

Kayak Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe, CA4.2(61)
Rating from Google Maps

Kayak Tahoe is a kayak and canoe livery in South Lake Tahoe, CA. Rated 4.2 by 61 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Kayaking, Snorkeling & Surfing with Gary Golding

Kayaking, Snorkeling & Surfing with Gary Golding

Redondo Beach, CA5.0(70)
Rating from Google Maps

Kayaking, Snorkeling & Surfing with Gary Golding is a kayak tour operator in Redondo Beach. Rated 5.0 by 70 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Kayaks On the Water

Kayaks On the Water

Long Beach, CA4.7(451)
Rating from Google Maps

Kayaks On the Water is an SUP school and rentals in Long Beach. They offer kayak and paddleboard rentals for exploring Alamitos Bay and the Naples Island Canals. Guests can pay by the hour and do…

Rating from Google Maps
La Jolla Kayak

La Jolla Kayak

La Jolla, CA4.8(2,186)
Rating from Google Maps

La Jolla Kayak is a kayak tour operator in La Jolla. They offer kayak, snorkel, and e-bike tours, including trips to the La Jolla Sea Caves and La Jolla Ecological Reserve.

Rating from Google Maps
LA River Kayak Safari

LA River Kayak Safari

Los Angeles, CA4.6(53)
Rating from Google Maps

LA River Kayak Safari is a kayak tour operator in Los Angeles, CA. Rated 4.6 by 53 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Monterey Bay Kayaks

Monterey Bay Kayaks

Monterey, CA4.7(390)
Rating from Google Maps

Monterey Bay Kayaks is a kayak and canoe livery in Monterey, CA. Rated 4.7 by 390 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Monterey Bay Kayaks

Monterey Bay Kayaks

Moss Landing, CA4.7(562)
Rating from Google Maps

Monterey Bay Kayaks is a kayak and canoe livery in Moss Landing, CA. Rated 4.7 by 562 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Rocky Point Kayak

Rocky Point Kayak

Redondo Beach, CA4.5(39)
Rating from Google Maps

Rocky Point Kayak is a kayak and canoe livery in Redondo Beach, CA. Rated 4.5 by 39 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
San Diego Kayak Rental

San Diego Kayak Rental

San Diego, CA5.0(45)
Rating from Google Maps

San Diego Kayak Rental is a kayak and canoe livery in San Diego, CA. Rated 5.0 by 45 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Alameda)

Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Alameda)

Alameda, CA5.0(47)
Rating from Google Maps

Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Alameda) is a paddling school in Alameda. Visitors can also take multi-day guided trips to Baja. Rated 5.0 by 47 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Sausalito)

Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Sausalito)

Sausalito, CA4.8(342)
Rating from Google Maps

Sea Trek Kayak and SUP (Sausalito) is a paddling school in Sausalito. Rated 4.8 by 342 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Smith River Kayaks

Smith River Kayaks

Smith River, CA4.9(123)
Rating from Google Maps

Smith River Kayaks is a kayak & canoe livery in Smith River. They operate on the Chetco River and the Smith River. Rated 4.9 by 123 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Southwind Kayak Center Rental Base

Southwind Kayak Center Rental Base

Newport Beach, CA4.8(212)
Rating from Google Maps

Southwind Kayak Center Rental Base is a kayak and canoe livery in Newport Beach, CA. Rated 4.8 by 212 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps
Sun Down Kayaking Company

Sun Down Kayaking Company

San Diego, CA4.8(48)
Rating from Google Maps

Sun Down Kayaking Company is a kayak and canoe livery in San Diego, CA. Rated 4.8 by 48 reviews.

Rating from Google Maps

Rivers

Rivers and streams to paddle in California

Named rivers and streams mapped in California
32,804 mi
River reaches
3,353
Reaches with a USGS flow gauge
451

Rivers with the most mapped miles

  1. Dry Creek395 mi
  2. Sacramento River370 mi
  3. San Joaquin River339 mi
  4. Mill Creek301 mi
  5. Bear Creek288 mi
Browse every river in California

Source: USGS National Hydrography Dataset. Miles count the named river reaches on our map, not every river in the state.

Flow gauges: U.S. Geological Survey. Flood stages and forecasts: NOAA National Weather Service.

Kayaking in nearby states

Oregon

Nevada

Arizona

Resources

More to explore in Kayaking

Hand-picked videos and free guides from the community to help you plan your next trip.

Videos worth watching

Hand-picked clips, sorted by what you do.

  • YouTube

    Kayaking | How to Paddle a Kayak || REI

    REI

  • YouTube

    Kayaking | How to Get in Your Kayak || REI

    REI

  • YouTube

    Kayaking on Lakes – Everything You Need to Know

    PaddleTV

  • YouTube

    Kayaking on Rivers | Paddling for Beginners

    PaddleTV

  • YouTube

    Top 10 Kayaking Tips to Level Up Your Paddling

    PaddleTV

  • YouTube

    How to Train for Kayaking || REI

    REI

Guides worth reading

Trip briefs, prep checklists, and how-tos. Free to read.

Gear

Best PFD for Kayaking: Type III vs Type V Life Jackets

Jul 2026

Destinations

Best Flatwater Kayaking Destinations in the Southeast

Jul 2026

Gear

Sit-On-Top vs. Sit-Inside Kayak: Choose the Right Type

Jul 2026

Skills & Lessons

Whitewater Kayaking for Beginners: Class II-III Guide

Jul 2026

Free tools

Your free outdoor toolkit

View all tools
River ExplorerExplore named rivers from the USGS hydrography dataset. Filter by water type or whitewater class.
Do I Need a License?Whether your state's boater education rule covers a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, and the months you must wear a life jacket.
Route PlannerDrop stops on a map and watch distance and drive time add up. Export a GPX or share the link.
Skill DrillsInteractive 3D drills, one decision at a time. Pick wrong and you watch it fail, then learn why.
Gear ChecklistsPrintable, save-as-you-go packing lists. Tick items off and pull them up on your phone.
Everything MapListings, trails, spots, clubs and public land on a single full-screen map. Switch layers on and off, then tap any point for the details.