Kayaking with Kids Near Oakland

Kayaking can be a terrific way to enjoy the Bay or a local lake, while also sneaking in an excellent low-impact workout and keeping our kids active. For families, rentals are an easy way to spend time on the water together on a flexible schedule. Here’s a list of East Bay places to rent kayaks, take classes, or book kayak tours, along with what to plan and expect with kids in tow.

Thanks to our sponsor, Sea Trek, for sponsoring this article. Sea Trek is the oldest sea kayaking outfitter in operation on the West Coast!

Kayaking near Oakland — Sea Trek has all the gear needed for adults and children of all sizes | Photo: Sea Trek

East Bay Kayaking with Kids

Sea Trek (Alameda + Sausalito)

They offer kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals, tours, and classes year-round at both of their locations: Alameda and Sausalito. Sea Trek also has decades of expertise in youth and family programming and is stocked with kayaks/SUPs that are comfortable and beginner-friendly all the way up to advanced gear. They even have pet life jackets for fur babies!
Note: Sea Trek has designed a guided tour, especially for families: “Scenic Take the Kids” 2.5-hour tour of either Alameda or Sausalito during which you can discover wildlife and sea life while learning basic paddling skills.
Ages: No age restrictions for rentals, 6 years and older for tour. They provide life jackets for infants on up.
Pricing: Rentals: $45 per hour for a single & $65 for a double | Scenic Take the Kids Tour is $100 per adult/$85 per child
Duration: Rentals anytime between 9 am and 4 pm, Wednesday through Sunday | Scenic Take the Kids Tour is 2.5 hours
Rentals >
Take the Kids Tour >

California Canoe & Kayak Oakland (Jack London Square)

Full-service paddlesports company locally owned and operated. Kayak, canoe, and SUP sales, rentals, instruction, tours, and service. Tours and rentals should be booked online in advance.
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Ages: Minimum age in a double kayak with an adult is 5 years old

Gaia Guides (Alameda)

Offering guided sunset kayaking experiences for families and kids’ camps.
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Ages: Family Night is for kids aged 5 to 14.
Pricing: $40 per adult | Kids are free

Lake Chabot Regional Park (Castro Valley)

This area is busy on the weekends, so I recommend planning for a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. Guests must be 18 to operate a boat, and all guests must sign a contract before getting on a boat. Under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign for them. [Lots more to do at Lake Chabot]
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Ages: The minimum age in a double kayak with an adult is 5 years old, and the maximum weight in a kayak is 225 pounds.
Pricing: Guided kayak tour is $45 per 2.5 hours per adult, $25 per 2.5 hours per youth age 12 and under

Lake Merritt Boating (Oakland)

Kayak rentals are offered at Lake Merritt, Wednesday through Sunday. For pedal boat, canoe, rowboat, and kayak rentals, no certification is required. You are required to WEAR a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket- yours or a rental.
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Ages: 12+
Pricing: $15-$18 per hour (single) or $20-$24 per hour (double). NOTE: CASH ONLY deposit of $20-$30 per group plus the first hour’s cash rental fee.

Kayaks on Lake Merritt | Photo: Whitney Moss

Stacked Adventures (Alameda)

For beginners without gear, these kayaking tours focus on safety, fun, and local attractions. Locations and themes of trips vary throughout the Bay Area. Private tours can also be arranged by appointment. Stacked Adventures offers a range of guided tours, including shoreline bird migration tours and an Alameda Point tour kayaking by the historic USS Hornet (imagine being next to that ship on a kayak!). The most basic intro level class covers equipment, paddle techniques, trip planning, on-land transportation, maintenance, and safety. All gear provided.
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Ages: As young as 5 with an adult or 12+

UC Aquatic Center (Berkeley Marina)

This marina has equipment that can be rented by those who have completed a Cal Adventures course and/or have shown on-water proficiency. It is easily accessible via public transport and the UC Aquatic Center has a free parking lot with ample parking. Call ahead for tide conditions, as this can impact hours of operation (510-642-770).
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Ages: Rentals are available to anyone who has passed the skills test
Pricing: $15-$25 per hour

More Bay Area Kayaking with Kids

City Kayak (San Francisco)

Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for walk-in rental and offer a full lineup of tours, including a McCovey Cove trip when there’s a Giants’ game in the stadium. They also offer group trips (6 to 12 people) that can be scheduled anytime mid-week. Due to SF winds, City Kayak will tell you where you can go. Start in the morning for the most options.
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Ages: No age restrictions. They provide life jackets for infants on up. They even have x-small to x-large pet life jackets available – ruff!

Blue Waters Kayaking (Point Reyes)

Blue Waters offers take-away rentals (single and double kayaks), classes, and awesome tours. Get out of the city and enjoy kayaking in the gorgeous Tomales Bay. The bioluminescent kayak trip after dark is a bucket-list experience.
Website >
Ages: 13+

Parent Tips: Plan and dress for the day:

Coast Guard regulations require that all kayaks have a lifejacket on board. Make sure the life jackets provided by the operator fit properly.
Wear sun-protected, quick dry layers, that allow you to move freely. Avoid all cotton and flip flops. (If in doubt of what to wear, ask when you book your tour, as water and weather conditions will be different depending when/where you’re paddling.)
Hat with a wide brim and sunglasses with a strap.
Zip-lock bag for electronics.
Cash to tip your tour guide.
Leave dry clothes in a storage locker or car in case you take a swim… accidentally.