A Kayaking Adventure

Kayaking in Santa Barbara is so quick and easy, you can almost do it during your lunch break!

Today's adventure began at the Santa Barbara Harbor.

We rented two double-seat kayaks. John & Victoria were in one kayak as the day's photographers, and Wendy & Katy lead the way.

• Photo album of today's adventure
• movie: Paddling by the breakwater
• movie: The sea lions!
• movie: Sea lion tour boat
• movie: Returning to the dock

Each double-seat kayak was rented for two hours. It was only 20 minutes between the time we arrived at and the moment we hit the water. We were even offered a quick kayaking lesson, demonstrating the correct way to use a paddle.

Today we decided to follow the popular route from the Santa Barbara Harbor to the Sea Lion buoy anchored just off of Stearns Wharf (see the map of our route below).

When kayaking you usually don't get completely soaked so a bathing suit isn't necessary, though wearing shorts is a good idea. You can also wear sandals or go barefoot. Bring your sunglasses, sun block and a small bottle of drinking water. A hat might be a good idea for those sensitive to the sun. Remember, when kayaking, you are getting double exposure from the sun - once from the sky and once from the water reflection. The rental service has a complete store with everything you need, so don't worry if you don't arrive completely prepared. Remember to put sun block on your FEET!

Our Kayaking Route

We started at the loading dock, paddled along the breakwater then headed straight out to the sea lion buoy. As you round the end of the sandy breakwater, and first catch sight of the buoy, the buoy looks *really* far out to sea. Don't worry, it is not as far as it appears. It only takes a few minutes to paddle to the sea lion buoy.

Just before we arrived to greet the sea lions, two tour boats swarmed our destination. One tour boat operator used his megaphone to warn us to keep our distance as he makes three passes around the sun tanning seals.

It is fun to watch the sea lions play "king of the hill". There is so little room available to rest on the overcrowded buoy, they are continually pushing each other into the water. The older sea lions in the middle are sound asleep while the pups on the perimeter are battling for just a moments rest.

Our next stop was to go along side, then underneath, Stearns Wharf. There is lots of room between the pilings below the wharf so passing through is safe and easy. We recommend not crossing near the end of the wharf so you avoid running into fishing lines from the fisherman above. Be sure to waive to the tourists watching your every move!

Soon we entered the harbor once again and kayaked along side Captain Don's Whale Watch boat near the entrance of the harbor. When kayaking at the Santa Barbara Channel Islands you have an opportunity to paddle into exciting ocean caves. In the harbor, however, the most popular, and only "cave" is the Channel Cat catamaran. We bravely paddled into the dark tunnel, letting out a requisite roar to fill the chamber with echoes.

Moments later we tied up to the dock where we started and returned our life vests to the kayaking service crew. Today's adventure was completed in just over an hour and a half. Paddling to the sea lions is a thoroughly enjoyable and uniquely-Santa Barbara experience.