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Kayaking and Photography – a Blog

Sep 7

Posted by Marko in Kayaking | No Comments

Hello hello!

I have a confession to make — I’m a technology and adventure fiend. These two characteristics have played a defining role in my young adult life. So when I find someone who seems to has these same passions, I get very excited.

Marek Uliasz kayakingA couple weeks ago, I came across a polish blogger who shares this passion for technology and adventure. Marek runs the blog Paddling with a camera which is basically a study of photography and kayaking. He features great reviews of adventure themed cameras and takes some stunning shots as well.

Here are some of my favorite posts:

10 Tips How to Avoid Blurry Pictures when Shooting from a Kayak
Do You Paddle with Your Dog? K-9 Kayaking
20 Paddling and Photography Destinations
Paddling Photography in September (2005-2008)
Paddling with Pixel, the Water Corgi

And some awesome shots:

kayaking horsetooth reservoir

kayaking lonetree reservoir

kayaking seminoe reservoir in wyoming

kayaking corgi

Use some of Marek’s great tips and take some shots yourself on one of our kayaking tours!

Win a free kayaking tour for two!

Aug 9

Posted by Marko in Free Stuff, Kayaking | 1 Comment

kijubi commercial

Hello all! We recently released our TV commercial into the wild and the response so far has been overwhelmingly positive! So in order to thank you all for spreading the word we decided to throw an awesomely free activity in the mix.

All you have to do is go watch our video on youtube, and tell us what you think by posting a comment. At the end of the month (August 31st 2010) we will randomly select two lucky commenter and give each of them a free Laguna Beach Kayaking Tour for Two!

So just click the picture to watch the video, comment and go kayaking!

Sea Cave Kayak Tour in La Jolla, CA (Near San Diego)

May 3

Posted by Mr K in Deal of the Week, Kayaking | 1 Comment

This week we have been offering a two hour sea cave kayak tour in La Jolla, CA for 50% off. The deal ends on Tuesday, but can be purchased all year long on Kijubi. The cool thing about our deal of the week is that most of the time, the tickets can be used at any time within a year. Right, you buy them today and use them whenever you want within 12 months.

How cheap are we talking? $25 per person. Yup, for $25 you can get a 2 hr guided tour through the beautiful sea caves in La Jolla.

If you are seeing this page after the deal ended, check out the sea caves kayak tour in La Jolla page on Kijubi.

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Kijubi getting AMAZING deals at 50%+ off?

Feb 23

Posted by Mr K in Deal of the Week, Flight Simulators, Kayaking | No Comments

Hello huge discounts!

For the past few months Kijubi has been negotiating with its suppliers to offer up some really awesome things to do at sweet prices.

It’s the Kijubi Deal of the Week. Check it out!

Each week Kijubi will bring you a amazing, exclusive deal at an unbeatable price. There is only one catch – a minimum number of bookings must take place in order for everyone to get the deal. That number is usually pretty low though (between 10 to 50 as a minimum). As long as we hit the minimum, each person will enjoy the benefit of using their deal pass at any time within 12 months – buy it now, use it later.

I’ll let Julie and Rose tell you a little bit more about this week’s deal:

Get it every week at http://www.kijubi.com/deal/

Next week? A 60 minute flight simulator, also at 54% off! WOW!

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Kijubi Freezing? Head to the Sunshine State!

Jan 8

Posted by MKelly in Kayaking, Snorkeling | No Comments

Cold weather got you down?

I know my car is here somewhere....

We can’t complain here in Laguna Beach, but our friends back east say it’s freezing!   When the pipes start to freeze and you find yourself sitting around the house in a down jacket, there’s only one thing to do….head south to the Sunshine state.

One of the only truly tropical zones in the US, Florida offers amazing opportunities to find fun and adventures outdoors. Kijubi has teamed up with tour and adventure guides from all over the state to make sure you can find the fun on your next visit to our nation’s preeminent peninsula.

Among the more unique experiences we offer is a chance to get up close and personal with the friendliest of marine mammals, the Manatee.  Strictly vegetarians, Manatess can reach up to 2,000 lbs, but are known to be among the most gentle and playful creatures to inhabit the marshy coastal areas of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Going snorkeling with the Manatees in Crystal River is perfect for adventurers of all ages, and a great light impact group activity for families or seniors.

If you find yourself near Orlando at the right time of the month, check out the Full Moon Kayak Tour over the Winter Park chain of lakes.  A perfect activity for experienced paddlers or first-time kayakers, this trip will give you a truly unique perspective on the natural beauty that southern Florida has to offer.

Don’t feel like getting wet?  No problem…how about a bike tour through the Mangroves in the magnificent Anne Kolb Nature Conservatory or renting a Harley and cruising down Alligator Alley.

There’s no shortage of great Floridian adventures available from Kijubi. As soon as you’re able to dig your car out of the snow, make a beeline down the 95 towards the sunshine state, but be sure to check our site first to find out What Kijubi Doing on your trip.

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Things to do for Thanksgiving in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, and San Diego

Nov 25

Posted by Mr K in Airplane Tours, Cycling, Flying Lessons, Indoor Skydiving, Kayaking, Kijubi, Scenic Tours, Segway Tours, Sightseeing, Themeparks, Whale watching cruise | No Comments

Thanksgiving is a great holiday. Most businesses offer people a long, 4-day weekend to go do things. California has so many different places to visit and things to do, it is trully incredible. When it comes to California’s nature, you really have every choice you can imagine. Oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains, jungles, deserts, small, medium and large cities. It is one of the few places in the world where you could go surfing waves in the morning and skiing down slopes in the afternoon, and be back home for dinner.

Things to do, Thanksgiving in Los Angeles

Grand Tour of LA. If you have never been to Los Angeles, or if you are new to the area, this tour is a must. It lasta 5 1/2 hours and starts at 9:30am. There is free hotel pickup as long as you are in the area. You will see all the important spots in LA including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Bowl, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre, Miracle Mile, Olvera Street, China Town, Music Center, LA County Museum of Art, La Brea Tar Pits, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You will also have the opportunity to shop the LA stores of Rodeo Drive and check out the hip scene at the Sunset Strip. Tickets are $58 for adults, $40 for children (3-11), and children under 3 go for free.

Indoor Skydiving – This is definitely one of my favorites! Many people would love to have the thrill of skydiving, but don’t want to jump out of a plane. I can understand. It is a scary thought to jump from a plane 10,000 or 15,000 feet up in the air and hope your parachute works. Well, you can now experience the same feeling of skydiving, without the fear. It is a wind-tunnel that blows so much air from the bottom that you float. This is called Indoor Skydiving and it’s in Hollywood, California. There are several packages offered which are mostly the amount of time you would like to fly; 1 minute, 2 minutes, or 4 minutes. There are also packages for experienced flyers for 10, 20, 40, or 60 minutes.

Things to do, Thanksgiving in Orange County

Laguna Beach Kayak Eco-Tour – Laguna Beach is still considered a gem in Orange County. This kayak tour will most definitely be an unforgettable one. You will get to see beaches, sea cliffs, million dollar homes, birds, fish, and an up-close look at the famous seals of seal rock. The kayak trip lasts about 2 hours and departs at 10am. You will need to bring a swimsuit, t-shirt, towel, water, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera. This one is a blast and anyone over the age of 3 can do it.

Disneyland Park Hopper Discount Tickets – Disneyland is a great place to spend time with the family. The Park Hopper tickets offer you the ability to go multiple days to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Parks, and the Downtown Disney District. You can hop around from park to park whenever you like for the number of days you purchase (2, 3, 4, or 5 days). When you pre-purchase these tickets online, you save up to $40 per ticket!

Things to do, Thanksgiving in San Francisco

Whale Watching Cruise to Farallon Islands – In my opinion, whales are the most amazing creature in nature. They are huge, smart, and friendly. This 6 hour cruise in a 65 foot catamaran is perfect for the nature-lover. You could see blue humpbacks, gray whales, elephant seals, dolphin, porpoises, and abundant sea-bird colonies. You will also get the chance to see some breathtaking views of the Golden Gate bridge and the San Francisco shoreline.

San Francisco Segway Tour at Night – Sure, it is always fun to go out in San Francisco at night. But this is one way that is sure to create some great memories. The segway tour is 2 hours long and will allow you to explore the city by the bay at night and see the best views and some hidden locations. It is calm and exciting at the same time.

Things to do, Thanksgiving in San Diego

Downtown San Diego Bike Tour – Biking is a personal favorite. As a child I used to ride my bike nearly every day, now it is less often, but that’s not to stop one for getting out and doing it. This bike tour goes through Downtown San Diego, waterfront riding, and the historic Gaslamp district. It includes a multi-speed hybrid-type bicycle, helmet, water, snacks, and of course, a guide. For $45 per person (minimum of 2) you get 2-2 1/2 hours of riding and can’t go wrong.

First Flying Lessons – Alright, I know this one is a bit more for the thrill-seeker, but I just loved it. You get a pre-flight lesson that teaches you the basics of flying a plane. Then you get on the plane (a Varga VG-21) and get another lesson about the cockpit, and off you go. The main pilot always has control of the plane, but from time to time, he passes it on to you, who is sitting behind the pilot. There are 30 and 60 minute flights available, and I must recommend the 60 minute flight. You will wear a helmet and goggles and the only thing you need to bring with you is a camera.

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Kayaking Eco-Tour Experience in Laguna Beach, Orange County

Apr 17

Posted by Mr K in Blabber, Kayaking, Snorkeling | 5 Comments

This morning we went out kayaking in Laguna Beach (Thalia Beach to be specific), and what a perfect day it worked out to be. There is a reason why many people call Laguna Beach a Paradise. The water was crystal clear, the weather was perfect, and the sea lions were on the rocks tanning as usual. Sea Lions? Yup! They were so cute sitting there with absolutely nothing to do being as lazy as one could ever be. Regardless,  they definitely made this trip that much more enjoyable.

One thing I love about ocean kayaking is that you can go easy or be more adventurous. Constantly trying to read the waves, the wind, and the current makes it all that much more exciting. There’s also another plus to kayaking that I just recently learned about. Kayaking is helpful for rafting. What do I mean by this? Well, rafting is a completely different activity, but the truth is that when you learn to kayak, it helps with your rafting skills. I will have to try this out myself!

On another note, we are just about getting ready to open our doors at the Montage Resort to those who want to go Kayaking, Snorkeling, or Buggy boarding, or even if you want to learn how to surf. The “life changing luxury travel” resort should definitely be a fun place to start a kayak tour from. Can’t wait!

Our starting point today:

Laguna Beach Kayak Tour

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Kayaking to Wailua Falls

Mar 11

Posted by julie in Kayaking | 1 Comment


It’s an exciting time right now for us because we’re gearing up for summer (my favorite time of the year) and we get to launch our kayak tours from the the beautiful and breathtaking Montage hotel. What a great spot! You can explore beaches, cliffs, caves and the Seal Rock, a nature sanctuary home to hundreds of California Sea Lions. It truly is one of Southern California’s most beautiful coastlines.

Speaking of kayaking and beautiful places, I’m reminded of my very first trip to Hawaii. My family and my mom’s twin sister’s family decided to embark on a family vacation together to Kauai about 5 years ago….11 travelers total (we’re very close ;-) ). On the trip, one of our family adventures was a kayak trip up the Wailua River, one of the longest navigable rivers in Hawaii. If you’ve never adventured here before, then I must note this is definitely a must do! The scenery is stunning, backed by tropical valleys and radiant smells of plumeria.

Only eight of us rented kayaks from a little Hawaiian village at Kamokila, and such a quaint little place this is. The village features about a dozen hatch buildings revelaing how Hawaiians would have lived hundreds of years ago. My sister and I partnered up in one kayak, her in front and me in the back. I remember feeling like a deer in head lights as we paddled up the river – lush valleys, birds singing and the “smell” of Hawaii. The beauty is transcending. In fact, I was so overwhelmed I stopped paddling and made my sister do all the work. Lol. Zigzagging up the river – that was the moment she gave my the nickname “Dazy.” It’s important to take in such beauty.

Paddling up the river brought us to a secluded waterfall – Secret Falls. This is a great spot for swimming and also where one of Hawaii’s most bizarre and famous attractions is located – Fern Grotto, a lava rock covered with tropical overhanging ferns. The grotto acts as an amphitheatre and creates amazing sounds.

On the return trip I remember being so at peace from the tradewinds. Moving downstream definitely provided quite a workout on this leg of the journey (maybe more for my sister). I believe at this point my sister was ready to throw me overboard! This place is truly a fantasyland of Hawaiian deep jungle scenery. I can’t wait to go back, though I have a feeling I’ll be in my own kayak on the next adventure.

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A Day in Avalon, Catalina Island

Feb 25

Posted by julie in Ferry, Golf, Kayaking | 2 Comments

Beautiful aquamarine waterMe in my golfcartCatalina Ferry

Besides being Copperchick in my next life, I am also going to live on Catalina Island (or Santa Catalina Island, as she is officially known). Having lived in Laguna Beach for almost two years and vowing, every time the sun set behind the Island (every night, strangely enough), that THIS would be the week I would pull finger and book a trip to the island, I finally got around to it last weekend. My excuse is that there is just too much to do in California, a view shared by many. Anyway, I took the ferry from Newport Beach and after a stunning hour and a quarter trip (very smooth – no seasickness, despite a few glasses of wine the previous night), we arrived in Avalon. No whales to be seen en route, although the captain kept pointing into the middle distance and insisting that they were ‘just over there’ (I think he was just keeping himself amused, watching all us tourist-types craning our necks to see the non-existent mammals).

Immediately upon disembarking from the ferry, there was a flurry of activity as passengers shouldered each other out of the way in an attempt to be first in line to hire a golf cart – the main method of transportation in Avalon are these small gasoline-powered motorcars. Interestingly, it is very difficult to get a permit to have a full sized vehicle in Avalon, which translates into a 10-year-long wait list to bring a car to the island. The city has its own strict permit program with which local vehicle owners must comply, in addition with the usual requirements imposed by the statewide Department of Motor Vehicles. I couldn’t help but think how much more advanced this is when compared to Laguna Beach, for example – another quaint seaside village just across the water which is crying out to have at least some of the town pedestrianized, and in which this golf-cart policy would surely work wonders to go some way towards reducing the congestion in the town, if carefully planned and managed…

Avalon itself is a very charismatic rural waterfront town with the usual tourist-oriented businesses and services lining the coastline – more reminiscent of a Spanish or Greece village than a Los Angeles county town (I’ve checked: it is the southern-most city in Los Angeles County). After an hour of sightseeing on our golf cart (there are a number of scenic drives that you can take to get a quick overview of the town and what’s on the other side of the hills that surround it), we took to foot and pounded the pavements for a few hours, exploring every little nook and cranny of the town, including the beautiful Art Deco dance hall, the Casino, which was constructed in 1929. Apparently William Wrigley, Jr. (of chewing gum fame) was a major force in the development of Avalon as he bought controlling interest in the Santa Catalina Island Company in 1919 and devoted himself to preserving and promoting it, investing millions in needed infrastructure and attractions.
We then hired a couple of single kayaks and took advantage of the beautifully glassy and crystal clear water. This was definitely a highlight of the trip – reminded me of kayaking on the Sea of Cortez, so calm was the water.

Kayaking off the coast of Catalina

After a well-earned lunch of some very fresh fish and chips and a shared bottle of chilled Sauvignon Blanc, we were summoned back to the ferry by the rather rude but very effective foghorn they blast to get you running back to the port, and then we were heading back to the mainland. I insisted on sitting outside and it was cold but well worth it as we were treated to the most spectacular sunset as the sun (once again) set over the Island, and this time I felt very content in the knowledge that I had experienced at least a sampling of what this special island has to offer. Next time I am going to go for longer (and I found some ideas for itineraries on another blog) so that I can explore the rest of the island, camp on the west side where the rocky cliffs are supposed to be spectacular, visit Two Harbors, check out the bison that were supposedly first imported in 1924 for the silent film version of Zane Grey’s Western tale “The Vanishing American” and then left on the island. So much to see, so little time…

Beautiful aquamarine waterBoats in the harborThe sun sets over Catalina

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Pow Pow on the Mow Mow

Feb 1

Posted by Mr K in Hiking, Kayaking, Skiing, Snowboarding, Surfing, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

billy333.jpgbilly222.jpgHot Tub
Man it’s shaping up to be an epic ski season in California! It’s only February and Mammoth already has a 100″ base, with more dumping! This is what I love about California. In a mere 5 hours you can drive from sunny SoCal to the Sierras where there’s some of the highest snowfall accumulation in these here United States. Whoa! You might even start with a surf or a kayak before hitting the slopes. How cool. And what else do I love about Mammoth? Let me recite the many things. First, the drive. While tedious, it’s also mind expanding as you travel the eastern Sierras through the Owens Valley. It’s vast and open and beautiful, with the mighty Sierras on one side, and the impressive White Mountains on the other. You’ll pass the true cowboy towns of Olancha (gateway to Death Valley), Lone Pine (gateway to Mt. Whitney), Independence (home to the ignominious Manzanar Japanese internment camp from WWII), Big Pine (gateway to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to the oldest living things on Planet Earth – a 4,000 year-old tree??? Come on), Bishop (home to crazy wilderness outback mountaineers), and finally Mammoth, home of the the LA powder cowboys. How does Mammoth stack up against world class mountains like Vail, Aspen, Park City, Jackson Hole and Whistler? Well, it may not have the light, fluffy powder of Utah, or the swanky private jets of Aspen, or the sheer size of Vail, or the steeps of Jackson, but it has more annual snowfall than any of them, more sunny California days, more ski days (usually staying open through June and sometimes July), less crowds (see 5 hour drive), a gracious layout that allows you to traverse the mountain without skiing the same run twice, modest pricing, cheap accommodations, lots of high speed lifts, and, oh yes, thermal hot springs that are free (if you know where to look). They can be the highlight of your holiday. Imagine skiing all day, getting that major thigh burn, then driving 20 minutes into the Owens Valley where you will discover a perfect tub in the wilderness with 110 degree mineral water for soaking those tires bones. You’ll have a 360 degree view of the Sierras and Whites just as the sun drops behind them. Ahhh. Life is good!

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