4 great Bay Area places to rent a kayak and then get a drink

There’s no better feeling than hiking up a sweat then cooling down in the sepulchral quiet of a nice bar. There’s even a term for this hiking style: “trail to tavern,” where the goal is to pick a route that ultimately winds up in front of a drink to refill those calories you just burned off.

Around here, though, we have a big puddle of water known as “the Bay” and also lakes and the ocean. Perhaps it’s time we consider a new concept to honor our geographic bond with water – shall we say, “paddling to pub”? That is, outdoor excursions where you can rent a kayak to work out for a few hours, beach your craft and in a few minutes be at a place with great beer or cocktails?

It might be just the thing for our (unseasonable) return to hot weather. So grab your hat and sunglasses and shoes you don’t mind getting wet, and try out these four amphibious adventures – just remember it’s paddling to pub. Please don’t try to do it backward.

Antioch

The paddle: For those who haven’t visited this part of the California Delta in Contra Costa County, it’s a strange mashup of natural beauty – rolling hills, dense marsh grasses, gulls and mute swans gliding aloft – and industrial grit, with railroad tracks transecting the shoreline and gas tankers chugging under massive bridges. It’s definitely not boring, and there’s no better way to explore it than by renting a kayak at Delta Kayak Adventures (reserve in advance).

On good days, the water is glassy; you can silently stalk the edges of the Corteva Wetlands Preserve (formerly named after the Dow Chemical company) where beavers slink or go farther into the river to splash with otters and take in the majesty of Mount Diablo looming in the distance.

Delta Kayak Adventures: 5 Marina Plaza, Antioch; 925-642-5764, http://deltakayakadventures.com 

The pub: An eight-minute drive down a road most people would miss brings you to the Red Caboose, a diner inside a restored train car that serves American staples like burgers, prime rib and mashed potatoes. There’s outdoor seating where you can ogle egrets by the water and live bands on most weekends, including toe-tapping country-music Sundays. The beers are frosty and though you might feel obligated to blend in by ordering a Bud, there are less-standard intrigues like CBD-infused sparkling water and a “Jameson Julius.”

The Red Caboose: 210 Fulton Shipyard Road, Antioch; 925-777-1921, www.facebook.com/TheRedCaboose/ 

Half Moon Bay

The paddle: For those who love salt breezes and happy sea puppies, there’s Half Moon Bay Kayak Co., a chill place right on the water with a seemingly never-ending Groupon deal. A basic trip takes you around the sea-walled confines of Pillar Point Harbor, where you can paddle in relative comfort and marvel at the jumbo jets of the bird world, brown pelicans, as they soar inches above the Pacific. There’s a floating platform that supports a rowdy crowd of barking sea lions and, if you’re lucky, even a visiting harbor seal like “Little Smiley.”

Half Moon Bay Kayak Co:, 2 Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay; 650-773-6101, http://hmbkayak.com 

The pub: There are two beer-centric establishments a seashell’s throw from the kayak rental, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and Hop Dogma Brewing. Considering you just tackled the mighty ocean, and probably (well… maybe) braved sharks lurking in the deep, you might feel you deserve something indulgent. For that there’s Barbara’s Fishtrap, a cash-only joint that draws out-of-town traffic but somehow avoids the mediocrity characterizing so many fishtraps… er, tourist traps. Market catches are served grilled, sauteed and deep fried, but the outstanding option is the half-scallop, half-prawn tempura, buttery and piping hot with fries and lemons. Best of all, there’s always a daily beer special poured into an ice-frosted glass for an incredible $2.50.

Barbara’s Fishtrap: 281 Capistrano Rd., Half Moon Bay; 650-728-7049, www.barbarasfishtrap.com

Castro Valley

The paddle: Some folks might not want to deal with waves, currents and possible sea monsters. That’s fine. For a nice, relaxing day out, head to Lake Chabot where the kayak rentals are plentiful and cheap and the water is gentle. You can slowly scoot around the lake while catching glimpses of wild turkeys on the shore, then check out the action on Coot’s Landing, a fishing pier named for all the old coots casting off it (actually, it’s probably because of the birds). Don’t pay attention to the Google reviewer who says Lake Chabot is a “good place to panic” — they no doubt meant picnic, and it is.

Lake Chabot Marina & Cafe: 17936 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley; 510-247-2526, www.lakechabotrecreation.com/boat-rentals

The pub: There’s a cafe next to your put-in point with calorie bombs like breakfast burritos and a “Skippy Burger” slathered with peanut butter. They also do boxed lunches you can take out on your kayak. But the cafe doesn’t serve alcohol; for that, head down the road to the Doolittle, a cheery neighborhood joint with a real boat mounted behind the bar. There are always local IPAs on tap as well as less common offerings, like a peach sour, and the bartenders mix mean Old Fashioneds and Moscow mules.

The Doolittle: 20394 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley; 510-581-2405, www.facebook.com/thedoolittlecastrovalley/

Redwood City

The paddle: Did you know there’s a type of harvest mouse that survives by drinking sea water? It’s true, and it’s part of the marsh ecosystem around Redwood City. You can try to spot this odd creature, as well as sea lions, bat rays and a slew of grebes and pelicans, by grabbing a kayak at Mike’s Paddle. Bair Island, part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, is an excellent destination to explore. You could spend hours exploring the maze of shallow waterways snaking through these wetlands, which shelter a native population of harbor seals soaking up the sun. Note the wind often picks up in the afternoon, which could be a good or bad thing depending on how much exercise you desire.

Mike’s Paddle: 101 Westpoint Harbor Drive, Redwood City; 650-505-6279, www.mikespaddle.com

The pub: To judge from its current menu, Scroll Bar Waterside Kitchen has given up on its tech-themed cocktails (“scroll,” get it?). In place of the kitsch are now tasty offerings like a spiced-pear Tom Collins and a scotch/pomegranate/ume-plum concoction called The Sunset — perfect to sip on the outdoor patio while watching the sun actually go down. The hotel establishment offers a full menu focused on seafood and also a bar menu with kalbi pork-belly buns, Caesar salad and truffle fries, for those who are snackish.

Scroll Bar Waterside Kitchen: 223 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City; 650-598-9000, https://scrollbarkitchen.com/