Boats and Charters

Paddle Sports Center. This full-service center in the harbor rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, boogie boards, and water-sports gear. 117 B Harbor Way, off Shoreline Dr., Santa Barbara, California, 93109. 805/617–3425; www.paddlesportsca.com.

Condor Express. From SEA Landing, the Condor Express, a 75-foot, high-speed catamaran, whisks up to 149 passengers toward the Channel Islands on whale-watching excursions and sunset and dinner cruises. 301 W. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, California, 93101. 805/882–0088; 888/779–4253; condorexpress.com.

Santa Barbara Sailing Center. The center offers sailing instruction, rents and charters sailboats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, and organizes dinner and sunset champagne cruises, island excursions, and whale-watching trips. Santa Barbara Harbor launching ramp, Santa Barbara, California, 93101. 805/962–2826; sbsail.com.

Santa Barbara Water Taxi. Children beg to ride Lil' Toot, a cheery yellow water taxi that cruises from the harbor to Stearns Wharf and back again. The fare for kids is $2 each way. Santa Barbara Harbor and Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, California. 805/465–6676; www.celebrationsantabarbara.com/. $5 one-way. June–Aug., daily noon–6; Sept.–May, Fri.–Sun. noon–sunset.

SEA Landing. This outfit operates surface and deep-sea fishing charters year-round. Cabrillo Blvd., at Bath St., and breakwater in Santa Barbara Harbor, Santa Barbara, California, 93101. 805/963–3564; sealanding.net.