All La Jolla Tours & Excursions in 2026

Join our seasoned guides with a passion for the ocean for a snorkeling session to see the world underneath the waves. We offer high-quality dive gear and wetsuits to keep you comfortable in the cool ocean temperatures. Leopard sharks, sea turtles, Garibaldi, and sea lions are just some of the sea life you might witness. We’ll tour the famous La Jolla shoreline and make our way to the famous Emerald Cave. (Participants must know how to swim.)

Explore the slot canyons in Torrey Pines on this guided tour. Discover spectacular, hard-to-reach areas and take in views of the Pacific Ocean. Visit sandstone slot canyons and wind caves on the trek and stop at a majestic grotto with a waterfall. The hike up can be strenuous at times, but you will be rewarded with stunning views after summiting the cliffs.

SDBK is the top ranked kayak operator by the City of San Diego for kayak operations. This ranking is based on meaningful criteria including the extensiveness and quality of our training programs, our proprietary guide certification process and stringent guidelines, our operating procedures, the quality and content of our opperations, our Water Safety Plan and Emergency Response Plan. Additionally, we are the closest operator to the beach in La Jolla and we also have the most available tours as the top ranked largest operator. Cave entry is not permitted on a rental; however, you can book one of our guided tours. If conditions do permit entry into the largest sea cave we access on our guided tours. Our priority is guest safety and we are unable to enter the Clam's Cave is ocean conditions do not permit.

This leisurely paddle showcases the city's renowned architecture, little known city history, and maritime culture. Embark on your urban retreat by launching off of the calm waters of The Coronado Ferry Landing to explore America's Finest City and the Crown City by kayak. This 1.5-hour, guided, small-group tour has a maximum size of 10 guests.

Embark on a thrilling adventure to La Jolla’s mystical sea caves and be at one with the ocean on board a single kayak during this small-group excursion. Soak up remarkable scenery and discover wildlife species unique to San Diego in the ecological reserve with an expert naturalist/biologist guide leading the way.

Enjoy a seamless day on the water with this snorkel equipment packages that provides sanitized, quality, and specially engineered equipment for snorkeling in the marine protected waters near the La Jolla Cove. Guests can use VR video to navigate to the best coves and caves and have access to complimentary lockers for an easy, carefree experience in the water.

Take a guided ride through La Jolla and Pacific Beach on an e-bike. Enjoy the feeling of pedalling with power as you cruise along some of San Diego’s most picturesque spots. See the sea lions at La Jolla Cove, watch the waves crash at Windansea Beach, and tour some of San Diego’s most lavish neighborhoods on a tour that’s suitable for all levels of rider.

Book the Best E-Bike Tour In La Jolla. Your bike adventure will begin at Hike Bike Kayak’s storefront where you’ll check-in and get fitted on your pedal assist-E-bike. Breeze up and down the coastline and appreciate San Diego’s famous scenery including Windansea Beach, Bird Rock, the Children’s Pool, and La Jolla Cove. This tour is one of the best ways to experience San Diego’s jewel coast. Our experienced tour guides (who have been trained by a 3rd generation La Jollan) will steer you in the right direction and show you La Jolla’s hidden treasures. (Must have biking experience, must be at least 5'2 in height as well.)

Discover the natural wonders around the San Diego coastline with a marine biologist as your guide on this small-group tour. The guide, with over 20 years of combined science and education experience, tells you all about the sea creatures and critters you’ll spot in their natural habitat—from what they eat to how you can better protect them.

Why Book This Tour: Snorkel in one of the world’s most biodiverse marine reserves with expert guides who know these waters well. Swim alongside curious sea lions, snorkel into one or two ancient sea caves, and spot flashes of color from Garibaldi and other hidden sea life. With small group sizes, high-quality gear, and access to La Jolla’s dramatic underwater cliffs, this is a San Diego experience that feels both wild and personal. Designed for good swimmers. Many guests are first-time ocean snorkelers, but participants must be comfortable swimming in deep water without a life jacket.

The seven beautiful sea caves along La Jolla Ecological Reserve can be difficult to explore, even for experienced kayakers. This small-group kayaking tour offers a guide to help small groups glide through the water and take the best routes to the caves. Paddle to all seven caves while keeping an eye out for sea lions, leopard sharks, and the occasional dolphin.

San Diego’s La Jolla Ecological Reserve is one of the best spots on the West Coast to kayak and snorkel. On this two-activity tour—all gear provided—you and your crew will take turns between floating above water and snorkeling in it, hanging out with garibaldi, leopard sharks, rays, sea lions, and tons of other fascinating marine life.

Discover the stunning La Jolla coastline with our kayak rentals, perfect for adventurers of all ages. Enjoy the freedom to explore at your leisure while observing vibrant marine life and beautiful underwater landscapes. Rentals come with essential gear and safety training, ensuring a smooth experience. - 90 minute - All kayak rentals include necessary equipment and safety gear - Convenient beach pickup and drop-off for all rentals Exclusions: - Locker rentals - Wetsuit Rentals

Explore La Jolla Ecological Reserve's sea caves during a 90-minute kayaking tour. Follow your experienced guide through several diverse ecological habitats, home to one of the highest concentrations of sea life in California. Paddle toward the Seven Sea Caves, where you can get stunning views from inside Emerald Cave, the only north-facing cave in the state (conditions permitting). Explore a giant kelp forest inhabited by wildlife like harbor seals and sea lions. Use of all kayaking equipment is included; no kayaking experience is necessary.

Join a professional marine biologist for a hands-on exploration of San Diego’s tide pools. Get up close with sea stars, anemones, crabs, hermit crabs, snails, and sometimes even octopuses while learning fascinating facts about the intertidal ecosystem. This small-group, guided tour is perfect for families, solo travelers, and ocean lovers who want an interactive, educational experience.

Eat your way around the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California like a local with the help of your guide on this small-group walking food tour. Learn about this history of the area from your guide while you stroll around town, tasting different foods and drinks as you go.

Kayak La Jolla and the 7 Caves!  This 90 minute guided tour in La Jolla is a favorite of both locals and San Diego visitors. Explore beautiful sea cliffs and caves as you glide through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve filled with marine life. Paddle to Sunny Jim’s Cave, the Arch Cave, the Clams’ Cave and other sea caves for amazing close-ups of sandstone formations. Witness sea lions, garibaldi, leopard sharks, shovelnose guitarfish (rock on, man) and even the occasional dolphin on this sought-after La Jolla kayak tour. Ages 5 and up.

Avoid crowds and traffic in San Diego and have a peaceful adventure on the water with this small-group sailing tour. Keeping the group size small ensures a more personalized experience, without the noise and crowds of large group sightseeing boats. Along the way, pass by lots of great photo opportunities—including the Star of India, Coronado Bridge, and views of the city’s skyline.

Explore La Jolla’s coastline on a self-guided walking tour featuring sea caves, coastal views, and iconic stops like La Jolla Cove and the Children’s Pool. This GPS-guided audio tour follows the scenic Coast Walk Trail, with stories and directions that play automatically as you walk. Start with sweeping views of La Jolla Shores, Scripps Pier, and Torrey Pines in the distance, then hear the story of Sunny Jim and the hidden staircase beneath your feet. As you continue toward La Jolla Cove, you’ll spot cormorants, seals, and sea lions along the rocky shoreline. Learn about Ellen Browning Scripps and her lasting impact on La Jolla before visiting the Children’s Pool, a favorite gathering place for seals. The tour continues into the village, where you’ll pass art galleries, local landmarks, and a few great spots to eat before finishing near where you started. This flexible, self-paced tour lets you explore on your own schedule with the freedom to stop, detour, or linger at viewpoints.

Find hidden gems and learn all about the neighborhood with the help of a friendly guide on this historic walking tour. From the village to the coast, you’ll walk at a leisurely pace for around three miles as you hear stories about La Jolla’s past, from philanthropists and awe-inspiring women to murderers. They can also share dining and activity advice tailored to your interests.

Go with the La Jolla water sports company consistently voted #1 in the area. We are a proud local company that is continually upgrading our equipment and involved in our community helping at-risk youth experience the water. We are also a member of 1% for the Planet, providing 1% of our profits for beach clean-up. Rent from us and you'll enjoy 90 minutes of kayaking for two in the beautiful La Jolla Ecological Reserve.

Guided tours are relatively expensive and can follow rigid itineraries with tight schedules. This self-guided audio tour of La Jolla, a coastal town known for its rugged coastline and posh shopping, helps travelers save money and explore completely at their own pace. Follow your downloaded map app past art galleries, historic churches and hotels, and parks, finishing at the Sunny Jim Sea Cave. Start, stop, and pause the tour whenever you’d like.

Guests get to kayak out into the La Jolla Ecological Reserve with trained professional guides to take them to various snorkel sports in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve (spot depends on safety and may change depending on the day.) Once the group arrivals at chosen snorkel spot, the guides will till all of the kayaks together with rope and drop a sea anchor, so the kayaks are stationary, and the guests get to hop out and snorkel in the majestic waters of the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. After the snorkeling portion, guests kayak back to the launching point. Entire duration last two hours. No snorkel experience necessary but preferred. Must be a comfortable swimmer in the ocean to participate.