On the glorious first day of summer I had the great pleasure of taking a Sunset Kayak Tour run by Bike and Kayak Tours, Inc. out of their new Coronado location. I had a blast and can’t wait to share my experience with fellow Coronado residents and visitors.
Sunset Kayak Tour heading towards the Coronado Bridge (photo courtesy of Andrew Morse)
Bike and Kayak is a brand new addition to the Island, located in the previous home of Scottish Treasures & Celtic Corner, in a convenient, corner shopfront at the Coronado Ferry Landing. The colorful store is stocked full of great warm weather gear, including swimsuits, footwear, waterproof cameras, sunglasses, sunscreen, and anything else you may need for a day out on the water. They also conveniently supply lockers and changing rooms. Their kayak tours begin at 11am and depart every two hours, ending at 5pm with their Sunset Kayak Tour. They also offer kayak, paddleboard, and bike rentals from 9am until sunset everyday.
Bike and Kayak Coronado location Bike and Kayak Coronado location
Bike and Kayak also has a La Jolla location that offers a kayak tour of the seven caves and ecological reserve, as well as assorted snorkel and bike tours. They also rent kayaks, bikes, stand-up paddle boards, boogie boards, snorkeling gear and wetsuits.
The new Coronado location of Bike and Kayak Tours at the Coronado Ferry Landing
Bike and Kayak Tours, Inc. was started by two young entrepreneurs with the idea that “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”. They wanted to create a great outdoor adventure company for San Diego, and opened up their first location in La Jolla. The start-up business was a success and now the two locations employ over 100 hundred hardworking men and women who are “doubly qualified in both safety and fun”. The company has been selected as the number one ranked operator in La Jolla Shores for the second straight year in the municipal RFP process. This year marks the opening of their new Coronado location. They are excited to “bring in more visitors to the area as well as offer new employment opportunity to the local community”.
Tour guide extraordinaire, Nick Mansfield, leading the Sunset Kayak Tour.
My tour guide, Nick, and I paddled out from the little sandy beach located next to Il Fornaio and headed south towards the bridge. I was given my very own stable, sit-on-top kayak, a required lifejacket, and even a handy waterproof box to store my ever-present phone and camera. Nick made sure I was comfortable paddling and maneuvering my craft before we hit the open water, and pointed out landmarks as we laughed and chatted and glided along the calm waters of San Diego Bay. We stayed comfortably close to shore and paddled under the breathtaking blue span of the Coronado Bridge, spotting pelicans and cormorants, and fellow boaters out enjoying the sun. We continued our tour alongside the Coronado Golf Course and almost made it into Glorietta Bay before turning around and heading back under the bridge. We also explored the Ferry Landing area, catching great views of the downtown skyline and the aircraft carriers parked at the North Island Navy Base.
A new perspective of the breathtaking Coronado Bridge, taken from the water.
Nick explained that every tour makes it under the Coronado Bridge, but the overall distance the group covers will change depending on the participants speed and comfort level, as well as weather and water conditions. Each tour is 120 minutes in length and includes views of the downtown skyline, Coronado Ferry Landing, Coronado Bridge, USS Midway, Naval Air Station North Island, Silver Strand, Petco Park, Convention Center and the Embarcadero. It is San Diego’s only “urban kayak tour,” and appropriate for all experience levels.
Kayaking with the San Diego skyline in the background. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Morse)
It was wonderful having Nick along to lead the way and explain all the sights and sounds we encountered. He was fun and informative, and the time flew by. I loved soaking up the summer sun out on the water, learning some new facts about my hometown, and getting a great workout in the process. I was also able to take dozens of stunning photos, and there is no better view of the San Diego skyline and Coronado Bridge than from the water. I would recommend taking a kayak tour to anyone, local or visitor, who wants to experience Coronado and San Diego from a brand new perspective and have a blast in the process. It’s great for all ages (starting at 6+) and skill levels and fun for the whole family.
Sailing ships and the USS Midway Museum are some of the many sights you’ll see on a Kayak Tour! (photos courtesy of Andrew Morse)
For more information please visit www.bikeandkayaktours.com or call (858) 454-1010. Or stop by their new Coronado location at 1201 First Street #215 at the Coronado Ferry Landing. They offer a 15% military discount, daily deals, twilight rates, and discounts for advance reservations. They have an affordable rate for everyone, with rentals and tours beginning at $29. Also, don’t forget to inquire about Kayaworks, a special Fourth of July 90 minute kayak tour, which puts you out on the water to view the Big Bay Boom with the best seat in the house!
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Anne Covington Morse
Staff Writer
eCoronado.com
