cave tours la jolla

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La Jolla Kayak Tour of The 7 Caves

Kayak the la jolla sea caves.

Explore Sea Cliffs & Caves

Observe Unique Marine Life

Learn How to Kayak

Join us on our La Jolla Kayak Tour of the 7 caves, a favorite of both local San Diegans and visitors alike. Glide through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve filled with marine life , and explore the astounding sea caves and cliffs . Paddle to all seven caves, including Sunny Jim’s Cave, the Arch Cave, the Clam’s Cave, and others, for amazing close-ups of sandstone formations. On this popular La Jolla cove kayaking tour, you’ll observe sea lions, garibaldi, leopard sharks, shovelnose guitarfish and even the occasional dolphin.

Why Kayak The Seven Caves in La Jolla?

No Kayaking Experience Required! Our certified guides will start the tour with a safety orientation and paddle instructions, so you can master our “sit-on-top” kayaks on the calm waters of La Jolla.

Access To The La Jolla Sea Caves: You’ll experience a kayaking adventure you’ll never forget as you explore the otherwise inaccessible La Jolla sea caves, which only our certified tour guides are permitted to access.

Observe Marine Life You’ll see plenty of unique marine life as you paddle along the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, filled with sea lions, harbor seals, the California garibaldi, leopard sharks, and even the occasional dolphin.

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Tour details.

• What To Expect

Good To Know

What you need to know.

From $59 per kayak (depending on kayak type; single, double or triple)

Departure time

9am until 2 hours prior to sunset (latest tour leaves at approx. 5pm depending on time of year)

Availability

Monday – Sunday, all year round (weather permitting)

2 hours (90 minutes on the water)

For more information, click here to see our group tours and team building activities .

Participation requirements

All participants must be able to swim without the assistance of a personal floatation device.

– Kayak – Paddle – Life vest (with emergency whistle) – Helmet – Backrest – Waterproof map

Weight restrictions

– 275 lbs. for a single kayak – 450 lbs. for a double kayak

About your guide

– Certified guide – 1:5 ratio guide per person

What You’ll See And Do

Our certified La Jolla guides will commence the kayak tour with a safety orientation and paddle introduction, no previous kayaking experience required!

Our Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves takes place in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, where you will explore three unique marine habitats. During your paddle over to the La Jolla sea caves, your guide will share fun and interesting facts about the marine life, sea cliffs, and caves you’ll be exploring. You will also be keeping a lookout to spot marine creatures such as sea lions, leopard sharks, and the occasional dolphin and fish species like the California garibaldi.

Kayaking in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve is the best way to explore the underwater world of marine life. The harmless leopard shark can be seen from atop the kayaks. The best time to spot them is from May to October, which is when they appear in the shallow, warm waters of La Jolla shores. Interested in a close underwater encounter? Check out our Kayak and Snorkel tour!

Our beach staff will assist with launching and retrieving the kayaks at the beginning and end of the tour.

This tour is fun for the whole family , including children 6 years and up, with swimming capabilities.

The La Jolla sea caves are only accessible when permitted by a certified tour guide on one of our La Jolla Kayak tours.

The tour is fun and educational , as our certified guides will give you interesting facts and information on the area and the La Jolla Ecological Reserve.

Our “sit-on-top” kayaks make it easy to jump in and out of the water , allowing you to enjoy closer encounters with local fish. Click here to view our snorkel gear rental , or choose our Kayak and Snorkel tour to optimize your kayak tour experience.

Our guides undergo safety training and are 100% certified . Local to the area, they are expert watermen and women with experience specific to our destination. Click here to meet our tour guides!

Sunset Kayak Tour Of The 7 Caves

Explore Sea Cliffs & Caves at Sunset

Discover the magic of a sunset tour on our La Jolla Kayak Tour of the 7 caves—a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Glide through the vibrant La Jolla Ecological Reserve, exploring stunning sea cliffs and enchanting caves. Witness sea lions, garibaldi, leopard sharks, and occasional dolphins up close, creating unforgettable memories of this renowned kayak adventure. Don’t miss the captivating sunset ambiance, making it a truly magical experience on this La Jolla cave tour.

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Never been kayaking? No problem!

One of our experienced Everyday California tour guides will take you on an unforgettable tour of La Jolla Ecological Reserve, a Marine Protected Area that’s home to a thriving underwater ecosystem that boasts one of the highest concentrations of sea-life in all of California! Kayak through the underwater park to experience the La Jolla Sea Caves, one of San Diego’s coolest attractions. Seasons change, but we’re always running: throughout the summer months you’ll have a chance to see one of the biggest Leopard Shark gatherings in the world, and in the winter witness Gray Whales on their annual migration from Alaska to Baja California. 

Everyday California tours are suitable for almost everyone 5 years and older. No experience is needed to enjoy a La Jolla kayak tour; our guides will have you paddling around in no time. Kayak tours that involve snorkeling require a beginner level of competency in swimming. No matter which way you choose to join us, you’ll create an unforgettable lifetime experience kayaking La Jolla Shores!

Here are some additional details about our La Jolla kayaking tours:

• Our tour guides are not only experienced kayakers but also knowledgeable about the local ecosystem. They will provide fun facts and information throughout the tour, making it both fun and educational for adults and children.
• We offer both single and tandem kayak options, so you can choose to paddle solo or with a partner.
• Safety is our top priority. Our kayaks are regularly inspected and our guides are trained in water safety, first aid, and CPR.
• We provide all the necessary gear for your tour, including life jackets, paddles, and wetsuits are available to rent if needed.
• Our tours last approximately 1.5 hours, giving you plenty of time to explore the sea caves and spot various marine animals.
• Tours and rentals run year-round and are dependent on weather and sea conditions.
• Private tours and group rates are available for those looking to customize their kayaking experience or plan a special event.

La Jolla Cove Sea Cave Kayak Tour

Explore the Seven Sea Caves and paddle through the La Jolla Ecological Reserve on a kayaking adventure. You’ll have the chance to see the beauty of La Jolla and the seven sea caves, watch sea lions sunbathing on the rocks, leopard sharks skimming above the sandy surface, and see our California State fish, the bright orange Garibaldi, swimming under your kayak in La Jolla Cove. On the way back you’ll have the opportunity to surf your kayak back to shore. Throughout the tour, your guides will be making sure you’re safe and having fun. No experience is required, and safety is our primary concern. Entry into the cave depends upon the ocean and weather conditions, but it is just one small part of this amazing tour. Either way, you'll feel safe have the ability to enjoy and learn about the natural beauty of La Jolla Cove! If conditions are safe we will help guide your kayak into Emerald Cave. If it's not safe to enter Emerald Cave we will still paddle out & explore La Jolla's World Famous Marine Reserve. Note: If conditions are unsafe, we will not enter Emerald Cave for your safety and the safety of our staff.

When: Everyday

Duration: 90 Minutes

Start Times: Throughout the Day

Meeting Place: Everyday California Shop. 2261 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037

Price: Starting at $64

Group Size: 20 Person Max

La Jolla Cove Kayak & Snorkel Tour

The La Jolla Ecological Reserve is one of California’s premier snorkeling locations, and our Kayak & Snorkel Tour is an awesome way to see the marine life living in La Jolla. This tour is one of our favorites, so expect an experienced guide to give you a chance to swim with La Jolla’s best: sea lions, Garibaldi, bat rays, shovel nose guitar fish, even dolphins and sea turtles if you’re lucky! You’ll kayak out into the reserve with your guides, who will lead the group to the best snorkeling spot on that day. One of your guides will drop anchor, secure your kayaks, and lead you snorkeling in the La Jolla Ecological Reserve, pointing out the marine life as you go. Guests must have a basic swimming ability, but no previous snorkeling experience is required. This tour does not enter into any of the sea caves on the Kayak and Snorkel Tour. If interested in going into the sea caves, please book our La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour.

Duration: 2 Hours

La Jolla Cove Whale Watching Kayak Tour

ONLY AVAILABLE – from December 4th to March 6th. Experience the grey whale migration from the seat of a kayak! Leaving the waters of the Arctic and heading south to the lagoons of Mexico, gray whales naturally migrate past La Jolla during the winter. This is a non-polluting, non-threatening, and intimate way to experience one of the most majestic mammals on the planet. Your guides will lead the group about two miles out from shore, where you’ll stop at the best spots to view gray whales. Along the way you’ll learn interesting facts and history about the whales, other marine life, and the La Jolla Ecological Reserve. Keep in mind gray whales are wild animals. We see a large number of them during the season but cannot guarantee a sighting, although we often see dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals, and other marine life as well!

When: December 4th to March 6th depending on sightings

Lot's of fun, even for someone who has never been in a Kayak before!

Wonderful sea cave kayak tour, a great experience, great time on the pacific, worth every penny, a must-see when you visit san diego.

Monkeycity1

La Jolla Kayak & Snorkel Tour

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The Seven Caves of La Jolla

The La Jolla Caves are a magnificent set of seven caves nestled between La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores. Of the seven dynamic caves, only one of them is accessible by land; the other six can only be viewed by kayaking with a guide. The caves are set within a seventy-five million year old sea cliff and are all uniquely named. White Lady, Little Sister, Shopping Cart, Sea Surprize, Arch Cave, Sunny Jim’s Cave, and Clam’s Cave make up the seven caves of La Jolla. Sunny Jim’s Cave is unique in that it is the only known land accessed cave along the California shoreline.You are not allowed to enter any of the caves without an experienced tour guide, because of the possible dangers from changing tides.

The Storied Past of La Jolla Caves

Sunny Jim’s Cave got its name from the shape of its mouth; it closely resembles a cartoon character used for a brand of cereal that was common at the turn of the century. Within this exquisite cave is a set of 145 steps that go up a tunnel to a shop named the Cave Store that sells and rents snorkeling gear. The cave tunnel, carved out by Chinese immigrant laborers, is an important aspect of the cave’s history. In fact, all the caves were frequently used for smuggling Chinese and other immigrants into the United States. This was the original purpose of the tunnel leading from Sunny Jim’s Cave to La Jolla’s Coast Boulevard. These intriguing caves were also once used to smuggle illegal whisky during prohibition.

What to Expect on Your Tour

Of the seven caves, only Clam’s Cave is visible from land; it gets its name from the unusual double-sided mouth entrance. The tours through the caves are offered by a number of vendors and visitors should expect to pay around $25 per person. Before you begin the tour, your guide will go over simple kayaking dos and don’ts, and you will be provided with a helmet and a life vest. Starting from La Jolla Shores beach you will head across tranquil waters toward the La Jolla Cove and the caves. You will be delighted to see various different sea creatures along the way, such as spotted leopard sharks and bright orange garibaldi fish, as well as sea lions that rest on the surrounding rocks.

Sunny Jim’s and the Cave Store

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La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks

Guided tours & rentals (858) 454-0111.

TOUR SPECIALS

Complimentary lockers - ALWAYS

Booking fees and taxes included - ALWAYS

Our prices are inclusive of fees, permits, taxes and there are never surprises like surcharges for locker rentals (all tour and rental guests are welcome to use our large (12" x 36") complimentary lockers. Optional add-ons include wetsuit rental ($10), tour accessories (eyeglass retainers, waterproof phone cases,) and tips for your guides.

CURRENT TOUR SPECIALS: (Online reservations only. Discount is applied automatically.)

Save 20% this Spring! Enter promo code "SPRINGFLING" when checking out (valid until May 31, 2024)

*If you're price shopping, please keep in mind that our competitors all add 15% or more in additional fees and charge $6 or more for locker rental. Read the fine print and you'll probably find us to be the best deal available!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

There is a 24-hour cancellation policy for all tours.

Check-in is 1 HOUR prior to tour time.

Open 7 Days a Week March 1 - September 30, 2023

9:00am-6:00pm

Winter hours vary due to weather and holidays.

Check the online calendar for your specific dates.

Please call (858)454-0111 if in doubt!

(858) 454-0111

La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks 2164 Avenida de la Playa La Jolla, CA 92037

• Original La Jolla Kayak Cave Tour
• Sunset Original Kayak Tour
• La Jolla Coastal E-Bike Tour
• Kayak and Snorkel Tour
• Whale Watching Kayak Tour
• La Jolla Shores Snorkel Tour
• Corporate Team Building Tours
• Travel Guide

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Experience Thrilling Adventures with these 8 La Jolla Kayak Tours

E veryone that visits San Diego should do one of the La Jolla Kayak tours at least once. There’s nothing more peaceful than going to spot gorgeous coves and intriguing caves in the calm ocean while the sun is shining.

Undoubtedly, La Jolla is one of the best places in San Diego for a kayaking adventure. There are numerous kayak tour opportunities from hillside towns. These tours allow visitors to hit the Pacific Ocean and see unique forms of nature and wildlife.

Greg and I love kayaking in La Jolla and it is always a fun outing. It is pretty beginner friendly too, so even if you have never been in a kayak before, this is totally doable. The only tricky part is getting through the waves on the shore, but the kayaking tour guides will help you through. You will get wet though, so I recommend leaving your valuables in the provided lockers or bringing a little floating dry bag to keep your things safe. Definitely wear sunscreen and I recommend a hat and, unless you wear only swimwear, some quick-drying clothes (or bring some to change into later).

Here’s our list of the top kayak tours in La Jolla, you must check these out during your visit!

The Best La Jolla Kayak Tours

La jolla sea caves kayak tour.

This hour and a half sea cave kayak tour will take you inside the area’s caves with the help of expert tour guides. Soak up some gorgeous scenery while catching glimpses of marine life, including sea birds, sea lions, seals, even occasionally dolphins or a sea turtle.

Grab the chance to paddle through stunning kelp beds surrounding the La Jolla Ecological Reserve & Underwater Park . Bring your GoPro because you want to ensure you get some snaps of this.

The tour provides all equipment, including a life jacket, kayaks and paddles, and a wet suit if you prefer to wear one.

Morning or afternoon departure times are available, and your guide will meet you at Avenida de la Playa in La Jolla. Before you head out to the water, full training and safety procedures will be provided.

As soon as everyone is good to go, drag your boat to the sea for a great time!

La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour for Two

If you’re looking for more of a private La Jolla kayak cave tour, this hour and a half excursion for two might be up your alley.

Follow your guide, who knows the La Jolla sea caves more than anyone else, as they bring you through many diverse ecological habitats. 

See the likes of the wonderful Emerald Cove, the only north-facing cove in the whole state of California. Snap up the chance to get close to sea life, such as harbor seals, otters, and sea lions.

No prior experience is required on this tour. Your group of two will be shown all you need to know before heading out into sea. Use of the company’s gear and equipment is included in the price, e.g., life jackets, kayaks, etc. If you’d like to rent a wetsuit or locker, you can do so for an added fee.

Each participant must arrive at the departure location 30 minutes before to get organized. The staff members will get you ready and outfitted so it doesn’t cut into your kayaking time.

2 Hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour for Two

Now, for something a little different. This two hour sea kayaking La Jolla tour brings you to see grey whales.

Yes, you read that right. Enjoy an intimate experience for two people as you paddle your way off the coast of La Jolla in the hope of seeing grey whales. Learn about the creature’s behavior and how they live their lives while seeing La Jolla from a whole other perspective.

The tour’s meeting point will be 2261 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, Ca, 92037. Get there 30 minutes before to get geared up. From there you’ll head down to the beach for your safety briefing and tutorial with a certified guide. Depart from the shores and head 2 miles out to try to spot some whales. 

There will be plenty of breaks along the way for you to rehydrate and explanations about the marine life. One great thing about this activity is that the company donates a percentage of every booking to Greenwave & Urban Surf 4 Kids, so your money goes toward a good cause.

Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves

Seeing the seven impressive caves of La Jolla on your own without a guide can be a difficult and dangerous task. Join this two hour La Jolla cove kayaking tour to discover the popular seven caves, including Arch Cave, Clams’ Cave, and Jim’s Cave.

Float through the water seeing places you wouldn’t be able to alone. Admire awe-inspiring sandstone formations while learning how they were created. Get up close to leopard sharks, sea lions, dolphins, and more.

Anyone who hasn’t kayaked before will get full training upon arrival. By the time you get back to shore, you’ll be a professional. All equipment needed is included: helmets, life jackets, and of course, your La Jolla kayak rental.

Leave all valuables behind before heading out to sea. You’re promised to get wet, at least from the waist down, on this tour.

Like most tours on this list, get to the meeting point 30 minutes early. Your guide will meet you at 2158 Avenida De La Playa.

La Jolla Kayak and Snorkel Tour

Why just kayak when you can snorkel as well? This two and a half hour La Jolla kayak snorkel tour is set in the Ecological Reserve, and wow, it’s an experience you don’t want to miss out on.

Kayak your way from the La Jolla shores through jaw-dropping caves before heading out to open water for snorkeling. Wave at the leopard sharks as they swim around you — don’t be frightened, they won’t harm you. Other forms of sea life can be seen, too, like rays, shovelnose guitarfish, rockfish, sea lions, and spiny lobster. You’ll feel like one of them for a couple of hours.

The sea cave kayak and snorkeling tour includes essential gear like masks, fins, paddles, etc. If you do happen to have your own snorkeling equipment, you’re allowed to bring it along and use it. Just let the company know before.

An experienced guide will be in a nearby kayak at all times in case there’s trouble with gear or you need anything. 

Kayak Rental For Two People From La Jolla Shores

Escape the hustle and bustle of the San Diego lifestyle and spend time with your significant other, best friend, or child on this hour and a half double kayak tour of the La Jolla caves.

Row yourselves around the La Jolla Ecological Reserve at a pace that suits both of you. There’s no guide with you, so you can check out whatever you want.

A safety briefing will be provided before, as well as a list of locations you can and can’t visit. Arrive at the meeting point (Everyday California’s Office) 30 minutes early, your kayak and paddles will be waiting.

Depending on the time of year, kayakers may see different species of fish, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and whales. Don’t panic if you do! They’re enjoying the water as much as you are and won’t harm you.

Anyone who takes part in this La Jolla shores kayaking excursion must be a competent swimmer in case the kayak topples over when you’re out at sea alone. Unfortunately, you cannot bring the kayak inside any of the 7 caves. If you want to look inside, consider one of the other tours on this list instead.

90 Minute Kayak Rental In La Jolla

Take part in a 90 minute guided kayak tour of La Jolla. Grasp the basics of Kayaking, from steering to paddling, and see a whole new side to La Jolla you never even knew existed. Follow your guide past the breathtaking caves, charming kelp forests, and underwater canyons while listening to interesting stories and facts. 

With some luck, you might see different types of dolphins that are known to congregate around certain areas. These include bottlenose dolphins, white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins. 

On average, each tour covers about six miles round trip. So, you’ll be kayaking for the majority of the time. Experience isn’t necessary. If you need help, your guide will be by your side every second. When you return to shore, a scorching hot beverage will be waiting for you to warm you up.

Every participant should bring shoes which can get wet, a bathing suit or swimming shorts, sunscreen, and a strap to hold their sunglasses in case they fall into the sea. You can leave a change of clothes and valuables behind in one of the lockers provided.

There’s a minimum booking requirement of two people. The maximum number of people that can go on this tour is nine, so reserve your spot to avoid disappointment.

La Jolla kayak tours are a great way to see areas you wouldn’t be able to on a larger boat. Once you have a guide by your side, it opens up many opportunities. Plus, you know you will be completely safe wherever you go.

Which La Jolla kayak tour will you sign up for?!

For more things to do be sure to check out The Ultimate Guide to La Jolla .

Last Updated on October 3, 2023 by Maria Haase

The post Experience Thrilling Adventures with these 8 La Jolla Kayak Tours appeared first on San Diego Explorer .

San Diego Travel Blog

Local insight to help you plan your next San Diego vacation.

April 25, 2024 By Chelsea Bear

San Diego’s accessibility shines in a tour by mobility scooter

Planning a trip to a new location is always exciting — especially to somewhere like San Diego, which is known for its beautiful weather, vibrant neighborhoods and countless things to do that cater to all kinds of interests.

That being said, if you’re traveling with any kind of disability there are a lot of things to consider when planning a trip, whether for work or play. I can say that from experience: I was born with a physical disability called cerebral palsy, which affects the way I walk, and I use a mobility scooter when traveling.

I absolutely love to travel and have never felt that my disability should hold me back from visiting new places or experiencing new things — and it shouldn’t hold you back, either! I’ve been to more than 10 countries outside the United States, and have visited dozens of cities domestically. Having had my fair share of positive and negative travel experiences with my mobility scooter, I’ve learned some things over the years that help each trip go a little more smoothly than the last. I also document my accessible-travel experiences on social media to help share resources with my followers or fellow disabled travelers, at @RealChelseaBear on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. 

I had the privilege of visiting San Diego for the very first time in October 2023, and again in March 2024, and both trips were absolutely incredible! I can genuinely say that no matter what part of San Diego I was in, I was very impressed with its accessibility. Here are highlights of all the things I did while in San Diego, as well as recommendations and tips for planning a visit here while keeping accessibility in mind.

Discovering Balboa Park

My initial impression driving into Balboa Park for the first time was: WOW.   The buildings and monuments scattered throughout the park have extremely beautiful and intricate architecture which is so aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I was surprised to learn that the park is home to 18 museums, adding even more culture and character to the entire area. Plus, the gardens, large fountains, duck pond and overall landscaping were breathtaking. 

While at Balboa Park I went to the Mingei International Museum, which celebrates folk art from around the world. I learned a lot about folk art and viewed a lot of incredible exhibits. Right across the courtyard was The San Diego Museum of Art, which boasts an internationally renowned collection of more than 32,000 works, dating from 3000 B.C. to the present day.

Accessibility at each museum was seamless, with ramps and elevators available to help me get to each floor with my mobility scooter and enough space between the pieces of art where I never had issues with navigating around the showrooms. Beyond these two museums, there are many more throughout Balboa Park, all within a short walk or roll — including the San Diego Air & Space Museum , the San Diego Automotive Museum , the San Diego Model Railroad Museum , the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, and the Comic-Con Museum , to name a few. Most offer accessible tours, too!  If museums aren’t your interest, I still recommend stopping by Balboa Park at some point during your visit to San Diego. I went on three separate days and each day there were exciting things going on throughout the park, so I recommend visiting even if it’s just to walk or roll around the beautiful scenery. There are various food options, vendors selling jewelry and art, and street performers doing magic tricks or playing musical instruments. Plus, there’s a free concert every Sunday at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

Parking is free and there are plenty of accessible parking spaces. 

If you love waterfront views …

… then San Diego is the place to be! One of my favorite areas by far was the Embarcadero , including Seaport Village. The waterfront area extends along San Diego Bay, is easily scootable, and has so many different things to do, see and eat. There are a lot of shops and restaurants, as well as local vendors and entertainment scattered throughout. 

Beyond the incredible views of the sailboats and yachts in the bay, I was extremely impressed with the area’s dedication to accessibility. 

Whenever I came across a couple of steps to get into an establishment, there was a sign with a disability icon and arrow pointing to the nearest ramp. Figuring out an accessible entrance is sometimes the biggest battle when traveling, so I was really grateful to see how San Diego prioritized signage and accessibility in this way. Bonus points, the waterfront is only a few blocks away from San Diego’s lively downtown and Gaslamp Quarter areas, making it really easy to get from one area to another without needing to figure out transportation. 

Something I really enjoyed doing along the Embarcadero was a Harbor Tour with Flagship Cruises & Events. They had a ramp so I could easily get on the boat with my mobility scooter, and there was a tour guide who shared history and interesting facts about the area – and we got to see a lot of seals! Full disclaimer, the ship did not have an elevator so I had to walk up a flight of stairs to get to the top platform. But there’s plenty of room and seating for you and your party to fully enjoy the tour on the first floor of the boat if you’re unable to do steps. 

You can also enjoy public art and sculptures, visit the USS Midway Museum or the Maritime Museum of San Diego , or catch a concert at the new outdoor bayfront concert venue, the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park along the Embarcadero. 

Accessible beaches await

You can’t visit San Diego without seeing the Pacific Ocean , right? Well, that was at least my mindset as an East Coast native. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I stayed in the Mission Beach area for a few nights and saw one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. The sky was spewing neon pink, yellow and orange, and although I took dozens of photos, none did it justice. It’s just one of those sights you absolutely need to see in person! Not to be demanding but, add it to your bucket list. 

All jokes aside, it was really easy for me to roll along the boardwalks on my mobility scooter at Mission Beach and La Jolla Shores . There were plenty of shops, bars and restaurants that were level to the ground, so it was extremely easy for me to scoot inside, and the options for where I could go were not limited, which is something I usually run into in other cities. Both areas gave beach-town vibes but still had impressive accessibility features.

If you’d like to get onto the sand, San Diego offers free manual or power beach wheelchairs at nine popular beaches. Most of the wheelchairs are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so I recommend calling in advance or getting to the beach early to ensure availability. Three beaches in San Diego also have sand access mats, which allow you to wheel out onto the beach to really soak in the views. You can find more information about Access Trax and other accessible options here .

I was also pleasantly surprised to learn about the adaptive activities offered in San Diego. I love a little adventure when I travel, and I had the amazing experience of going on a kayak tour of the Seven Caves with Bike and Kayak Tours Inc. in La Jolla . I’ve kayaked plenty of times before, being a Floridian, but to be fully transparent I was a little intimidated to be kayaking on the Pacific Ocean, since the waves are a little more rough than the ones I’m used to. I expressed my concerns to my tour guide and they quickly adapted, allowing me to switch from a single kayak to a double kayak, with one of the other tour guides joining me on the kayak. She made the entire experience comfortable for me, helping paddle to move us along through the tour and adjusting my seat to ensure I was supported. It was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. We saw leopard sharks through the crystal-clear waters, as well as different fish, sea turtles and harbor seals. The tour guide shared some unique facts about La Jolla Shores and the beautiful caves, and we even got to kayak inside one of the caves! The tour guides were extremely accommodating and assisted my sister in helping me navigate walking in the sand and getting in and out of the kayak as well. If you plan to go on this adventure, I recommend calling in advance to share your specific needs so they can plan accordingly before your arrival.

Living it up in the Gaslamp Quarter

I also stayed in the Gaslamp Quarter for a few nights, and it was a great central location with a lot of options only blocks apart. Accessibility-wise, the curb cuts on each corner were really smooth and easy to navigate on my mobility scooter. I was really impressed with how clean and clear the sidewalks were, too. It was really easy to get to different restaurants or entertainment options. I’m always a huge fan of walkable areas because they reduce the need to worry about transportation with a mobility scooter, so I definitely recommend this area.

With rows of restaurants and bars throughout Gaslamp Quarter, I was also delighted to see a strip of comedy clubs. I went to a comedy show at American Comedy Co. and it was a great venue. The main entrance to the theater had stairs, but they had an elevator available for me to get to the show easily. 

Something unique that I loved about this particular area was how the local MLB stadium, Petco Park , is located within the downtown area. Whether you’re catching a concert or cheering on the San Diego Padres , it’s an easily accessible venue to get to. 

Fantastic food options

Overall I was pleasantly surprised with the diverse and high-quality food scene in San Diego. One restaurant in particular, Callie , was one of the best meals I’ve had in years. The Mediterranean menu offered a variety of mouthwatering options, and the hummus was some of the best I’ve ever had.

Another great venue to check out is Liberty Public Market . Located right next to the Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens , which is an extensive brewery and restaurant with a delicious flight of IPAs, the public market had a lot of diverse and authentic food options to enjoy. I splurged a bit while there because there were too many good choices to choose from! I had handcrafted lobster ravioli from Pasta Design, a delicious bowl of ramen from Slurp Taiyaki & Ramen, and authentic Argentinian empanadas from Parana Empanadas. My only regret is that I didn’t get to try something from every vendor!

Try an Old Town Trolley Tour

If you’re looking for one activity that can give you a full overview of all that San Diego has to offer, the hop-on/hop-off Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego is the way to go. Each trolley vehicle has an accessible lift for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and you can leisurely explore the 11 stops during the tour. It brings you through Old Town , the Embarcadero, the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy , and Balboa Park. It’s an easy way to get around and sample many different areas of San Diego.

If you’ve been needing a sign to book a trip to San Diego, let this be it! As someone with a physical disability, it’s hard to come by destinations that are so accommodating and with so much to offer. The views, the food, the people, the activities, it all speaks for itself. Thank you for coming along on my journey as I explored San Diego. I can’t wait to go back, and hope you get to visit soon!

You can find additional recommendations and things to do in San Diego at https://www.sandiego.org/explore/things-to-do.aspx .

Chelsea Bear is a content creator based in Florida who shares her experiences of living with cerebral palsy on social media with the handle @RealChelseaBear . CP impacts the way she walks, and she uses a mobility scooter part-time for long distances. She is passionate about accessible travel and documents her experiences of living with a disability by sharing educational, uplifting, and lighthearted posts that strive to share resources, celebrate inclusion, and create acceptance for people with disabilities.

Funded in part with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds

Review: Neil Young & Crazy Horse strike heart of gold at tour-opening San Diego concert

The concert began with an epic, 15-minute version of ‘Cortez The Killer’ that featured extra lyrics recently unearthed by Young. Guitarist-singer Micah Nelson, Willie’s son, very ably assumed the role in Crazy Horse of Nils Lofgren, now on tour with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

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When Neil Young sang “rock and roll will never die” near the conclusion of his tour-opening LOVE EARTH concert with Crazy Horse Wednesday in San Diego, you believed him.

Those words, from his 1978 song, “My My Hey Hey (Into the Black),” sounded like a defiant vow in the face of possible obsolescence 46 years ago. Now, they are a statement of fact from a proud maverick who sounds more committed than ever, even — or, rather, especially — at a time when rock is increasingly becoming a niche genre pushed aside by formulaic pop, hip-hop and dance-music.

At 78, Young remains a staunch keeper of the flame whose passion for music burns as bright as ever. If anyone thinks this veteran singer, songwriter and guitarist is ready to kick back in his old age, he and his band immediately and convincingly refuted such notions with their powerful, nearly two-hour performance at SDSU’s Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. (They are set to perform a second sold-out show at the same venue Thursday night.)

Young and his three-man band opened with “Cortez the Killer,” an epic number from their 1975 album, “Zuma.” But this was no sentimental journey down nostalgia lane, nor was it a tentative, shake-off-the-dust run through.

Their carefully calibrated version of “Cortez” built to a series of powerful climaxes Monday and lasted 15 minutes — nearly twice as long as the original on “Zuma.” The song began with an opening guitar jam that lasted 7 minutes before Young’s reedy vocals commenced. For good measure, near the conclusion of “Cortez,” he sang — for the first time anywhere in concert — a missing verse he recently came upon that had been cut from the 1975 recording.

The unearthed lyrics provided additional depth and a palpable sense of despair to Young’s tour de force song about Hernán Cortez, the bloody Spanish conqueror of Mexico’s Aztec Empire: I floated on the water / I ate that ocean wave / Two weeks after the slaughter / I was living in a cave / They came too late to get me / But there’s no one here to set me free / From this rocky grave / To that snowed-out ocean wave.

The next selection was the buoyant “Cinnamon Girl,” a choice cut from 1969’s “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” the first album Young and Crazy Horse made together. It clocked in at a crisp three minutes.

The rest of the concert included several other extended jams, with “Down by the River” and “Love and Only Love” both clocking in at a glorious 16 minutes (but not lasting one second too long). Conversely, Young’s tender solo acoustic versions of “Comes a Time,” “Heart of Gold” and “Human Highway” were each delivered with admirable concision.

The manner in which he alternated between longer and shorter selections served as a master class on how to pace a concert to build momentum and achieve maximum dynamic tension and release.

The final encore was an eight-minute rendition of “My My Hey Hey (Into the Black),” whose line There’s more to the picture than meets the eye could be a synopsis of Young’s career and his dogged determination to do things his way, every time, no matter what the trends of the day may be.

At SDSU, Young and his longtime Crazy Horse compadres — bassist/singer Billy Talbot and drummer Ralph Molina, both 80 — were focused and in sync from start to finish. They were joined by guitarist/singer Micah Nelson, 33, who on Monday had played a key role accompanying his father, Willie Nelson, at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.

Micah Nelson was performing in place of Crazy Horse charter member Nils Lofgren, who is now on tour in The E Street Band with his other longtime employer, Bruce Springsteen. Those are big shoes to fill, but Nelson was so in sync with Young you’d think they had been musical partners for decades.

The stage was bedecked with the giant, faux Fender guitar amplifiers, speaker cabinets and road cases Young and Crazy Horse used on their 1978 Rust Never Sleeps tour. There were no video screens on the stage, the better for the audience — which included basketball great Bill Walton and Las Vegas Raiders NFL team owner Mark Davis — to focus completely on the music at hand.

The SDSU concert — the start of Young and Crazy Horse’s first major tour together in a decade — came a year after Young’s mesmerizing solo concert here at The Shell. Monday’s performance was even more mesmerizing, in large part because of the musical empathy between the four musicians.

When they locked into a groove, which was often, they seemed to be of one mind. And it’s difficult to think of any other rock band of any vintage that can gain as much traction from so many slow-paced songs.

With few exceptions, Young’s biting guitar solos contained a minimum of notes, but he made each one count, repeatedly going into a zone where feeling and intensity trump quantity. Or, to invoke the title of Young’s 1988 album: “This Note’s For You.”

Apart from a heartfelt spoken tribute to the late David Briggs — the producer of many of Young’s albums with (and without) Crazy Horse — Young’s comments to the audience were along the lines of: “Thank you” and “How ya doin’?”

Otherwise, he let his music speak for him, and it spoke volumes.

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