Exhilarating & Scenic LA Kayaking Destinations
Experience the City of Angles from a whole new angle. Los Angeles is known for celebrities, shopping, and the sunny California weather, but the bustling city is full of unique and exhilarating experiences indoors and out. Explore the city’s famous parks, beaches and harbors from your kayak!
Top Rated Places to Kayak near Los Angeles
From yacht-filled harbors and the open ocean to rapids and calm canals and lakes, LA is filled with excellent kayaking spots. Check out a few top-rated kayaking destinations in the LA area.
Huntington Harbor
Huntington Beach, CA
Great for new kayakers with a weak current and generally calm waters, the famous Huntington Harbor is an excellent kayaking destination just 35 miles south of LA. Right on the ocean, you can escape the bustling boardwalk with a leisurely paddle. Have fun exploring the calm canals and relaxing waterways lined with elegant waterside homes and boat docks.
LA River
Los Angeles, CA
The LA River runs for over 45 miles, offering lots of excellent sections to kayak. If you are looking for an exhilarating LA kayaking adventure, check out the Elysian Valley, also known as the Glendale Narrows. This two-mile section of the LA River offers an urban LA experience with a bit of Class I rapids. You’ll be in for a workout with the fast-flowing waters and rocky sections you may need to portage.
Marina del Rey Harbor
Marina Del Rey, CA
Marina del Rey offers a lively beach atmosphere with canals and the open ocean to explore. It’s North America’s largest man-made marina. Located close to the LA airport, if offers easy access with several launch points throughout the harbor as well as from the beach’s shoreline. For an easy paddle away from the boat traffic, explore any of the harbor’s eight canals or head out into the open waters of the pacific if you are feeling adventurous. Along with extravagant yachts and sea lions, you may even spot a leopard shark.
Catalina Island
Los Angeles County, CA
It’s a short ferry ride away, but with its beautiful coves and abundant wildlife Catalina Island is one of the most picturesque places to kayak in California. It has over 50 miles of coastline to explore, giving you ample opportunity to spot fish, dolphins, and leopard sharks. Venture out into the open water for a more challenging paddle with stronger currents.
Castaic Lake
Santa Clarita, CA
Less than an hour from LA, Castaic Lake has 29 miles of shoreline, two bodies of water and a dam to explore. The man-made lake offers mountain views dotted with pines and dry brush, warm temperatures and laid-back California vibes. Paddle around the Castaic Lake Lagoon or to the Castaic Dam, which stands over 400 feet tall.
Los Angeles Kayak Storage Racks
One of the best ways to explore LA and the surrounding waters is by kayak. Make sure your kayak is ready for the open ocean, river rapids and calm lakes and canals of Los Angeles with a kayak storage rack. Log Kayak Rack offers cedar log kayak and canoe storage racks that are as beautiful as they are practical. They safely store kayaks, keeping them high and dry, and neatly organize shorelines, backyards, beach-front properties, parks and rental facilities. Shop our kayak racks online now or contact us for a custom kayak storage solution to meet your Los Angeles kayak storage needs.