La Jolla, California...Hike Bike Kayak's Home.

  La Jolla, California, also known as "The Jewel", was established around 1850. Its name is disputed among scholars because it can be translated in both Spanish and Native American languages to mean separate things. The Spanish translation is "The Jewel". This translation is most widely accepted because of La Jolla's beauty and charm. However, it is also translated in a Native American language to mean, "Hole in the Mountains," also an appropriate title because of the many sea caves along La Jolla's coast.

Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boarding near the La Jolla sea caves

  In the beginning, La Jolla was not heavily developed. Although it was part of San Diego, it was not easily accessible to those around the area. In 1890, a railway was built that connected La Jolla to San Diego. This created a large influx of visitors and La Jolla was known as a resort destination. Soon, hotels and shops were popping up all around town.

  A few notable institutions in La Jolla are the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and Birch Aquarium. The Institute of Oceanography was founded in 1903. It is one of the largest and oldest ocean research centers and provides training for both graduates and undergraduates at the University of California, San Diego. The Birch Aquarium is an aquarium connected to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. It features 3,000 animals that belong to 380 different species; many of which are found in the La Jolla ecological reserve.

   La Jolla Shores, where Hike Bike Kayak is located, is a stretch of beach about one mile long. It starts at the Sea Caves and ends at the Scripps Pier. Off the coast of the shores is the La Jolla ecological reserve. This is home to La Jolla Cove as well as a giant kelp forest. This kelp can grow up to 2 feet in one day and be as tall as 100 feet! Along with the reserve, La Jolla shores has a main street of shops and restaurants, and a very kid-friendly beach. 

Guest Blogger
Cayley Harrell

Pay if Forward with Hike Bike Kayak!

   When you book a tour with Hike Bike Kayak, you are not only supporting environmental conservation efforts, but you are helping people who help people. "How so?" You might ask...well, Hike Bike Kayak works with these incredible non-profit organizations to give back to our community.

Team River Runner helps wounded war veterans and their families with health and healing through paddle sports such as sea kayaking, kayak fishing, and surf kayaking. They serve patients at the Balboa Naval Medical Center and the San Diego VA hospital. -Hike Bike Kayak donates kayaks to Team River Runner for any of these paddle sports.

WILDCOAST is an international conservation team that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife. They also educate underprivileged youth with their education outreach and conservation programs, as well as girl scout troops, and conservation volunteers. -Hike Bike Kayak provides kayaks for these groups as well, so they can experience the ocean waters and local ecosystems first hand, while gaining an appreciation for our coastal environment and the importance of conservation.

The California Gray Whale Coalition has been created to ensure the remaining Gray Whale population is re-listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. They are unable to defend themselves from human activity and intense industrialization along their migration route. -Hike Bike Kayak donates proceeds from our Whale Watching Kayak Tours to help protect the California Gray Whales from extinction.

San Diego CoastKeeper is the region's go-to organization inspiring individuals and communities to make clean and thriving coastal and inland waters a reality. CoastKeeper protects and restores swimmable, fishable, and drinkable waters in San Diego County. -Hike Bike Kayak provides kayaks to SD Coastkeeper for beach and bay clean-ups. They also volunteer for SD Coastkeeper's watershed testing program. 

Ocean Discovery Institute (ODI), is an organization that educates underserved youth from City Heights about the importance of scientific research and environmental stewardship. Each year, ODI runs an after-school program wherein students learn about local waterways, from the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean. At the end of the program, the students have an outing at the ocean during which they participate in activities such as surfing, boogie boarding and kayaking. -Hike Bike Kayak has donated the equipment and expertise for such outings for five years. 

Hike Bike Kayak also offers more than 500 free kayak tours yearly to causes such as the Rock the Blue Auction Gala at La Jolla Country Day School, and other local school fundraisers as well.

Explore La Jolla Cove on a kayak snorkel tour with Hike Bike Kayak!!

Get your kayak snorkel on with us at Hike Bike Kayak!

     At Hike Bike Kayak we know La Jolla cove out of the water and under the water! Come explore with us to find an array of precious marine wildlife living right here in our ecological reserve. By kayak and snorkel you will see and swim along with harmless leopard sharks, bat rays, bright orange garibaldi fish, rock lobster, guitar fish, green sea turtles, sheephead fish, sea stars, and much more. Sea lions and harbor seals are common inhabitants of the area, sunning on the rocks, and swimming playfully around the La Jolla cove and sea caves.

    As the water temperature rises in the spring time and the weather remains clear and warm, the kayak snorkel tour will have you captivated with life in La Jolla cove and its underwater world. Definite and must for wonderful vacation memories.