Kayaking the LA River
DETAILS (LA River Kayak Safari company):
Location: Tours departs from Oso Park located in Frogtown (intersection of Oros Street & Riverside Drive, Los Angeles 90031).
Hours of Operation: Seasonally, typically between May 31st and September 30th. You can check availability and book online at their website (provided below in “resources”).
Parking: Street parking, but please observe any posted signs.
Cost: $75 Adult / $70 Children.
Time Commitment: Approximately 3 hours.
Miscellaneous:
Suitable for all kayaking skill levels.
Like most kayaking experiences, there’s a high probability that you’ll get wet below the torso so wear cloths that will accommodate this.
I’d recommend bringing some sort of waterproof bag to store your valuables while on the river.
Bring cash in case you feel inclined to tip your guide(s) at the end.
If you’ve ever seen most stretches of the LA River, especially in the summer months, you’d be hard-pressed to include it amongst the natural wonders of California. After a major flood in 1938 that killed almost 100 people and destroyed over 1,500 homes, the City of Los Angeles along with the Army Corps of Engineers turned the river into the concrete jungle that we know it as today to ensure that a similar catastrophe would never happen again. I suppose their plan was a success, but it obliterated this habitat for generations. But thanks to the efforts of various conservations groups and many city officials, a steady (if not slow) movement has been in motion to help revitalize and restore the river back to its pre-concrete inception, improving water conditions, assisting in wildlife preservation, and returning this waterway back to the people of Los Angeles.
Every movement has to begin with awareness. After all, you can’t fix a problem unless you know it exists. But who says awareness can’t be fun? Enter companies like LA River Kayak Safari who believe the best way to learn about the LA River is to be on the LA River. You’ll begin your “classroom” experience by meeting up with your fellow participants and tour guides in front of Oso Park in Frogtown. You won’t get in the river just yet though, instead spending the first portion of your journey leisurely biking (bikes provided) upriver on the bike path that runs parallel. On our tour, we made a pitstop for drinks at a local watering hole right off the bike path called the Frog Spot which was a welcomed surprise and gave us an added sense of the neighborhood. Our drinks finished, we continued on our way. The bike ride isn’t that long, roughly a mile, before you proceed to the main attraction; kayaking!
After hauling your kayak down to the river bank, you’ll get a quick tutorial on basic kayaking skills, and then it’s time to hit the water. From here, you’ll kayak back down to where you started. Along the way, you’ll obviously pass by the familiar concrete that has become the river’s calling card, but just as prominent are the thickets of trees and riverside foliage that are a sure sign of the river’s gradual return to grace. Even more surprising, you’ll pass through a couple of class I & II rapids that will zip you forward with the ever so slightest adrenaline rush. Depending on the water level on any given day, some parts get pretty shallow and will require some deft maneuvering, or getting out of your kayak completely to drag it into more suitable depths. Like most enjoyable things, you’ll be finished before you know it, but I promise you three things at the end; you’ll be a littler wetter than when you started, have gained more knowledge & appreciation of the river, and will have just had yourself a wonderful experience.
