Paddle Sports Center

We rented kayaks here to kayak to the Santa Barbara pier area. The customer service is great. They are very helpful and sweet. The good thing is that it's by the harbour so the water is calm. You can even bring your toddler on this Kayak! I brought my little one and she loves it!

The highlight was to kayak to see the sea lions lying around with lots of birds in a very close proximity, but you're not supposed to get too close or the sea lions get scared. The sea lions were clapping at one point and waving at my friend, which was super cute.

The dock that you depart from is less ideal. You had to paddle under this wooden walkway where part of it was dripping and has spider webs, which makes it a little unappealing.

They have a changing room for you to change after because you most likely will get wet, so make sure to bring extra change of clothes, especially pants and underwear.

This was a great afternoon spent with my son. We rented a tandem kayak. The transaction was smooth and the staff was well trained in answering our questions and accommodating our needs. They were thorough in explaining the map and the ways of the harbor. It made it a much more pleasant experience. Such a great time and we will be back soon!

Friendly inexpensive. One hour free if it's your birthday. Very nice of them. They help launch you. Nice calm day. Paddled a mile out. No dolphins but saw some sea lions. Coming back you have to get up and out of your kayak on your own and tie it up yourself. Thank god we were able to do all that. No where near to help.

We rented kayaks from Paddle Sports Center and had a great time paddling around the marina. The staff was really helpful and friendly. They showed us where to go, how to get back safely, and they even gave us cool stickers.

Kayaking was a great activity to enjoy on a sunny day - highly recommend.

They also have a little shower in the back in case you need to rinse off after your adventure.

I really fell in love with kayaking because of this place! We called in the morning to check on availability and rented a 2 person kayak when we arrived. The employees got us our life jackets and paddles and then showed us over to a map of the harbor. They carefully explained areas where we should go, rules to follow, and where we could see sea lions. They also answered all of our questions and helped us get in our kayak and head out.

The harbor is beautiful and you can stay and paddle around there for a relaxing activity. You can ask paddle out to the first buoy for a bit more of a workout and head back towards the other side of the pier. There's nothing like the view from the water! You pay when you get back to the center, so you can stay out a little longer than expected if you want to spend extra time with the seals!

My husband and I are back in my old stomping grounds (UCSB alum c/o 2014) and wanted to kayak during our visit. We were greeted by James, who gave us clear instructions ands tips regarding kayaking, as we both hadn't done it in years. We a had a great time kayaking in the marina and just spending time together. It was also a cloudy but warm morning, perfect for kayaking. We definitely recommend. Thanks again, James!

We came here looking for a place to rent kayaks for ourselves and our pups. The staff members here are great -- very personable, professional, and friendly! They hooked us up with two double kayaks so we would have enough room for one dog on each kayak. They even have dog life jackets!

If we come back to SB, we will def return!

ProTip: They comp an hour on the kayak for your birthday :)

My usual go to rental place for kayaks in the SB. The staff is very friendly and knowledgable. Check-in is really easy, and if you're a return customer it's even quicker. There are tons of equipment you can purchase at their store to keep your goods safe and dry. Sadly the lockers are gone due to precautions, but I was able to leave our things at the dock, and kept my valuables in a dry bag I got at the store. When you get back you can hose down outside or use the bathrooms in the building next door. The equipment is reliable and clean. Put on some sunblock and make sure you give the boaters right of way! Enjoy! I'll be back as usual.

I love Kayaking and Paddling in Santa Barbara thanks to Paddle Sports. Great time to workout outside, practice meditation and view wildlife! I've encountered 2 species of seals, aquatic birds and even crossed paths with a school of silver fish energetically jumping out of the water around my kayak like mini dolphins :)

A sunset kayak is a special treat and great reminder of how incredibly accessible kayaking can be for most people, even those with limited mobility on their feet. Paddle sports is my yoga!! As a lifetime member for over 3 years, nothing beats the sanctuary this place has given me. A regular retreat from the office and work, I can come in the middle of the day or late morning and completely recharge my batteries out on the water. Paddle sports provides the community with a safe space for; Exploration, Adventure, Exercise, Meditation, the Great Outdoors, and Fun.

Due to my status as a regular visitor, I do not know how it would feel coming here as a "rookie" or beginner paddler but the staff id very knowledgable. Sometimes the younger staff will assume you know what you are doing and how to find the kayaks on the dock but I encourage newbies to speak up and ASK for guidance and help with your take-off to the ocean. Why not? doesn't hurt to have a staff member walk you down. Also, it's a good idea to have them explain the safety hazards (boats, wildlife, fishermen) you may encounter and how to communicate with harbor patrol officers if you cross paths. It's good to know the basics before getting out onto the water. PS offers kayaks, SUP boards and other beach equipment to maximize your ocean enjoyment.

This is an EASY and AFFORDABLE treat and a must do if you are visiting Santa Barbara. A fun time with paddle sports generally takes about 2 hours and can easily be scheduled into your day trip to SB. Just remember to bring a change of clothes because you never know when you'll get a splash!

Went during the weekend when the weather was nice for kayaking on a tandem kayak. Pricing was fair and the service is nice. I had a really nice afternoon with my boyfriend and my dog. It's nice that they have a discount for students. I'd be happy to come again.