Paddling in California

Explore 898 kayak launches, boat ramps, and paddling destinations across California.

898 locations469 Lakes174 Rivers130 Bays

Best Paddling in California

Read our comprehensive guide to the top paddling destinations in California →

Kayakers paddling through a dramatic desert canyon at sunset

Guerneville River Access

California

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a dramatic desert canyon at sunset

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach

California

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a person in a boat

Woodward Marine

California · ~0 mi from Moss Landing

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Field's Landing County

California · ~0 mi from Fields Landing

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Glorietta Bay

California · ~0 mi from Coronado

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
white boat on sea under orange and gray sky

Sunset Aquatic Marina

California · ~0 mi from Surfside

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Alviso Marina Couty Park

California · ~1 mi from Alviso

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a man riding a paddle board on top of a body of water

Clipper Yacht Harbor

California · ~1 mi from Sausalito

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Huntington Beach

California · ~1 mi from Sunset Beach

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a group of surfers riding a wave

Monterey Harbor and Marina

California · ~1 mi from Monterey

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

North Forebay Aquatic Center

California · ~1 mi from Oroville

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a bridge over a body of water with mountains in the background

Pillar Point

California · ~1 mi from El Granada

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a man riding a paddle board on top of a body of water

Porto Bodega Marina

California · ~1 mi from Bodega Bay

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a person in a boat

Thermalito Forebay North

California · ~1 mi from Oroville

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Turney Street Boat

California · ~1 mi from Sausalito

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a man riding a paddle board on top of a body of water

Alameda Grand Street

California · ~1 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a man riding a paddle board on top of a body of water

Alameda Marina

California · ~1 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of people in a kayak on a body of water

Channel Island Landing

California · ~1 mi from Port Hueneme Cbc Base

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a person in a boat

Englund Marine Supply

California · ~1 mi from Samoa

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
man in red and black suit riding on orange kayak on sea during daytime

Eureka Public Marina

California · ~1 mi from Samoa

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Rodeo Marina

California · ~1 mi from Rodeo

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
man in red and black suit riding on orange kayak on sea during daytime

Arcata Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary

California · ~1 mi from Arcata

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of people in a kayak on a body of water

Boat Ramp Street

California · ~1 mi from Richmond

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a group of surfers riding a wave

Breakwater Cove Marina

California · ~1 mi from Monterey

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a group of surfers riding a wave

Central Basin

California · ~1 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a group of surfers riding a wave

Coyote Point Marina

California · ~1 mi from San Mateo

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a bridge over a body of water with mountains in the background

Dana Point

California · ~1 mi from Dana Point

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
man in red and black suit riding on orange kayak on sea during daytime

Embarcadero Marina

California · ~1 mi from Dana Point

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Long Beach Marine Bureau (South Shore)

California · ~1 mi from Long Beach

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a man riding a paddle board on top of a body of water

Richmond Yacht Harbor Ltd.

California · ~1 mi from Richmond

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Westside Regional Park

California · ~1 mi from Bodega Bay

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Embarcadero Cove Marina

California · ~2 mi from Oakland

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of people in a kayak on a body of water

Los Angeles Harbor

California · ~2 mi from San Pedro

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a man riding a paddle board on top of a body of water

Marine Group Boat Works

California · ~2 mi from Chula Vista

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
A view of a body of water through a cave

Morro Bay Public Launch Facility

California · ~2 mi from Morro Bay

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Newport Dunes

California · ~2 mi from Corona Del Mar

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a man riding a paddle board on top of a body of water

Safe Harbor Loch Lomond Marina

California · ~2 mi from San Rafael

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a bridge over a body of water with mountains in the background

Alameda Beach

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
A couple of ducks floating on top of a lake

Alameda Encinal

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Alameda Fishing Access

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Ballena Isle Marina (An Almar Marina)

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Barnhill Marina

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a person in a boat

Bayfront Park - Chula Vista

California · ~2 mi from Chula Vista

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
man in red and black suit riding on orange kayak on sea during daytime

Berkeley Marina

California · ~2 mi from Albany

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
man in red and black suit riding on orange kayak on sea during daytime

Berkeley Marine Center

California · ~2 mi from Albany

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a group of surfers riding a wave

Berkeley Public

California · ~2 mi from Albany

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Chula Vista

California · ~2 mi from Chula Vista

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of people in a kayak on a body of water

Crown Beach

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a sandy beach

Doran Regional Park

California · ~2 mi from Bodega Bay

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a group of surfers riding a wave

Emery Cove Yacht Harbor

California · ~2 mi from Emeryville

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a man riding a paddle board on top of a body of water

Emeryville

California · ~2 mi from Emeryville

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Emeryville Marina

California · ~2 mi from Emeryville

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Fifth Avenue Marina

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a man riding a paddle board on top of a body of water

Fortman Marina

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Grand Marina

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Jack London Aquatic Center

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Jack London Square Marina

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Lake Merritt Channel - Estuary Channel Park

California · ~2 mi from Alameda

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of people in a kayak on a body of water

Long Beach Marine Bureau (Davies)

California · ~2 mi from Seal Beach

BayKayakingSUPBeginner
Kayaker paddling across a calm bay at sunset with mountains in the background

Marina Bay Yacht Harbor - Richmond Marina

California · ~2 mi from Richmond

BayKayakingSUPBeginner

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I kayak in California?

California has 898 public kayak launch points listed on The Paddling Hub. Popular water body types include lakes, rivers, bays, reservoirs, oceans.

Are there beginner-friendly paddling spots in California?

Yes! Many of the 898 beginner-rated locations in California offer calm waters and easy boat ramp access, making them perfect for new paddlers.

Do I need a permit to kayak in California?

Permit requirements vary by location. Most public boat ramps in California are free to access, though some state parks may charge an entrance or parking fee. Check individual location details for specific requirements.