La Jolla Kayak Rental

I was really excited to try this kayaking experience and see the caves in La Jolla. I had looked into booking a kayaking tour of the caves, but then saw the kayak rental that appeared to be the same thing without the tour guide. I prefer exploring things on my own and don't love being stuck with other groups of people. I went ahead and booked the kayak rental, which advertised "explore the caves." When I arrived at the shop, there were signs that clearly said that only groups with a tour guide would be able to enter the caves. When I asked the girl at the desk about this she told me that was the regulations. I told her that was very misleading since my rental had promised that I would be able to explore the caves. She told me that I could explore the caves from the outside. She also told me that nobody was entering the caves today because of the choppy waters. I would have upgraded to a guided tour, but at that point in the day, everything was already fully booked. Once we got to the beach, there was only 1 employee getting kayakers set up with kayaks and paddles and pushing them out. He told us he didn't have time to push up out, because he had to get his tour started. He said someone else would be out shortly. However after seeing that nobody was coming out to help us, he told us he could push us out if we could do it quickly. He was very helpful and we appreciated his kindness. Once out on the water, we had a very pleasant experience. It was very fun to have the kayak to ourselves and enjoy the peacefulness of the ocean. We approached the caves and saw many other guided groups "exploring them from the outside." I asked a tour guide from another company when it was ok to go inside the caves (what water conditions would allow for it) and he said that renters were never allowed inside without a guide...something that must be obvious to everyone, yet not advertised on your website for kayak rentals. There was one cave that guided kayakers were being guided into, which we would have loved to do, had it been clearly explained in the advertising. Overall, we had a good experience, despite the disappointment and false advertising.

Sammy was our tour guide and amazing. When we come back to visit again we will sign up for her time slot. She made the tour an enjoyable experience and had funny stories and jokes.

Both our guides were amazing and super chill, think Cora and - oh heck i know he’s from Florida, regardless I’m sure this place is great with informative friendly guides.definitely had that vibe! And because weather was so good even took us into multiple caves . She even snapped some pics of me and visiting friend and gave us . This has been on my to do San Diego bucket list for a couple years and these guys nailed it !

Would not recommend the company. Rented a locker and the girl told us as we were walking out she would grab the token. Our locker was never locked and was left open the entire time. Was told to find someone in a red shirt on the beach to get the kayak. Nobody was wearing a red shirt. Had to ask another company where this company was. Despite us having life jackets on wondering around the beach, the guy was sitting under an umbrella playing on his phone with no shirt on and no sign. Also, was completely ignored and not spoken to when returning the paddles and kayak. Would not recommend. The company in the blue shirts were friendly and more helpful and they did not even have our money.

So disappointed in Customer Service. When we made reservations for our 4 family members to rent kayaks, I asked about parking. I was told there was no designated parking available at the site, and to ‘just find ‘on street’ parking.’ We arrived 45 minutes early, and drove around for 1/2 hour, and over 1/2 mile away, looking for a spot, to no avail. Finally decided that only 3 of us would go kayaking and the 4 th family member would drop off the other 3, take the car quite a distance away, park and just wait the 2 hours. Bike and Kayak Tours would not consider removing the 4th person from the prepaid charges. They didn’t care. So BEWARE, that parking may not be available, but you will still be charged for services that cannot be accessed.