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The Beauty Of La Jolla
Of all the places in California to kayak, La Jolla kayaking is at the top of my kayaking list. Those of us who are able to spend time kayaking in Southern California have it good! Where in the country can you visit and experience fantastic weather almost year round? As an example, its Jan 28th today and the current temperature along the coast is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Even in the summer the weather here is great. Yes, it can get hot but coastal areas are always in the 70’s and humidity is just about unheard of.
Besides the great weather, California has fantastic coastal areas and diverse scenery that’s unmatched anywhere in the world. Northern areas of CA have dramatic cliffs and rocky coastlines. The further south you go the beautiful sandy stretches of beach begin to appear and beckon you to come out and play. No place is that more true than the beautiful beaches of San Diego. One of the foremost beaches in this group is La Jolla Shores.
Dolphins, Sea Lions & Whales – Oh My!
The ocean here is teeming with creatures, some small and some really, really big! There is no better way to experience these wonderful sea mammals than in a kayak. So what are you likely to see kayaking around La Jolla?
Dolphin pods regularly cruise the waters just outside the surf line. Frolicking sea lions are often seen sunning themselves along the rocky coast line. While kayaking you will hear them barking at each other as they jockey for the best sun patch. to sun themselves. If you paddle closer to the rocky shoreline you will see dozens up and down the beach taking a break from feeding in the nearby waters.
The biggest thrill of all is the sighting of a passing whale. On a busy day you may have the privilege of seeing up to a dozen of these majestic creatures. I have had whales pass by just 100 feet or so from my kayak. What a thrill that is, and yes I’ll admit, just a bit scary. Whales can be spotted just about any month of the year here. The best time to see them is during their journey south to Mexico during the spring or heading back home to Alaska in the late summer and fall. There are several different species that frequent the waters around La Jolla. The most common are the Grey Whale and Humpback Whale. Other visitors include Finback, Sperm, Minke, and if your lucky to spot them, the Blue Whale and Orcas.
Kayak To La Jolla Sea Caves
Another unique feature of kayaking in La Jolla are the sea caves. A short paddle from the La Jolla Shores beach launch, are 7 awesome sea caves that really made the area famous. You can paddle to the caves in about 10-15 minutes from the beach launch. During low tide and calm conditions it is possible to paddle into some of the caves. Many kayakers paddle over slide out of their kayaks and then snorkel into and around the caves as well. Of the 7 caves 6 of them are only accessible by water.
Inside the sea caves you will see interesting rock formations like stalagmites and colorful flowstone. Noisy sea lions are often lounging around the rocky shoreline near the caves. You will likely get up-close views of these playful creatures as they catch an afternoon nap and sunbath on the rocks.
If you don’t feel qualified to paddle over and explore the area alone or with your companions, not to worry. There are at least 5 kayak rental locations just up the street from the beach launch. Most of these companies provide a guide service. With a qualified guide, you will have a knowledgeable person to oversee the activities and will provide a measure of safety and experience to your group. These guides are usually versed in the history of the caves and can impart very interesting stories and facts to round out your adventure.
Swim With Leopard Sharks!
Yet another unique aspect of La Jolla and the surrounding area is the annual migration of Leopard Sharks. During the summer months, thousands of leopard sharks converge on the area. These are absolutely beautiful creatures that are basically harmless to humans. They can be found all along the beaches and are often in water just a few feet deep. Snorkeling and swimming with these magnificent sharks is the highlight of my time on the water here. To have a chance to see a few of these sharks you don’t even need a kayak. You can simply walk out into the surf in waist deep water and start looking. The water is usually very clear so spotting a passing leopard is pretty easy.
La Jolla Kayak Fishing
Now, if you love to fish then this is where La Jolla will really shine for you. These waters are well known for producing large fish. Kayakers come from all over the country to test their fishing skills in the waters just over the SMR (State Marine Reserve) line. To kayak fish La Jolla most people launch from the designated kayak launch area on the south side of the beach. This is a surf launch so be prepared to get wet. Fortunately, the surf here is very small most of the time. It’s important to check the surf and weather forecast before you head down to the launch though. If you time it right and all goes as planned you can get through the waves without incident and even stay dry. After about a mile of paddling you will be past the no fishing zone and the real fun begins.
So what can you target when kayak fishing La Jolla? The main attraction for many anglers is the Homeguard Yellowtail. Yellowtail is a type of tuna. What’s a Homeguard? In many areas yellowtail come and go depending on the season. In La Jolla, Kayak fishermen/women enjoy ‘yellows’ that live in the area year round. So weather your fishing in Jan or Aug there will always be the chance at hooking the ‘holy grail’ of kayak fishing in La Jolla.
What else can you catch kayak fishing in La Jolla. The possibilities are almost endless but some of the more popular fish to catch here include Calico Bass, Sheephead, Whitefish, Shark, White Seabass and various species of rock fish. During the summer months the big boys move within range of kayakers. These include Bluefin, Yellowfin and Dorado.
The Surf Launch!
So the big question, how exactly do you get your kayak from the sand to the sea? Well thats the really fun part. Your first step in kayaking at La Jolla is to get your feet wet and do a surf launch. Since the surf at La Jolla Shores is generally small, doing a surf launch here is usually very easy. If you are renting a kayak from one of the many rental agencies here, they will likely give you a hand.
The key to a successful surf launch is timing! If the surf is just a foot or so then you can just drag your kayak to the water, hop in and start paddling. You may encounter a wave or two on the way out. When you do the key is to keep your kayak heading directly into the wave. Water may pass over the front of the kayak and you will probably get a little wet. There is always a chance of tipping the kayak on its side, so you should be okay with getting wet. It happens to the best of us, so no need to get embarrassed. In fact if you sit on the sand and watch a few fellow kayakers heading out, your sure to see a few flips now and then. Its all part of the fun.
Now if the surf is a bit larger, say 2-3 feet, you will need to be a little more selective on when you start paddling out. Surf usually comes in ‘sets’. This means that 3 or 4 swells will come in one right after the other in quick succession and then there will be a minute of calm or smaller waves. This is the slot you are looking for. As you look out at the oncoming surf and you see a break, you want to start paddling out as fast as you can through the surf zone. If you don’t quite time it right and a larger wave forms before you make it passed the surf zone, no worries, just paddle hard through the wave or whitewater keeping your kayak perpendicular to the on coming wave.
What If I Flip My Kayak?
Now everyone flips their kayak at some point. If you are heading out and you hit a wave that flips your kayak stay calm. Likely you are still in only 3 or 4 feet of water and you can just stand up. You will want to right your kayak and get back in it, if possible, before the next wave comes. On the other hand it may be best to just walk or swim back to shore, think about what just happened and start again fresh.
Surf launches can be one of the more technical and challenging parts of kayaking. One of the best ways to get comfortable with the technique is to practice. Grab your kayak and a paddle. Leave all your belongings back at the car so you don’t have to worry about anything getting wet. Then just have a fun time paddling out through the waves and coming back in. It is really fun when there is no pressure and your just out to get wet and practice your techniques.
So how is it really done? Here is a video of some in our group heading out on our last visit.
So What Are You Waiting For?
La Jolla kayaking is a real treat. The coastline here is one of the most beautiful in the world. With ample unique kayaking activities, you will never get tired of visiting. So the next time you visit the Southern California area, be sure to cruise down to San Diego and visit this exquisite costal community.
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