You could chat up the people at Monterey Bay kayaks and find out whats fun to do. In the fall I believe people whale watch from kayaks, but need to go further out. It's nice to get local knowledge of conditions. 15 years ago I took a narrow borrowed traditional boat to go around Alcatraz. On the way I flipped in what seemed like three foot chop. My paddle float slipped of my paddle and blew away. There I was halfway to Alcatraz, swimming alone with my yak with no options but to get rescued. It was a busy weekend, but passing boat couldn't really see me. A yakker out of their boat is low in the water and it's harder then you think to wave a paddle while swimming. It's the time I think I came closest to dieing. A sailboat did rescue me and I was in the early stages of hypothermia. I went to sit on top boats. Like surfskies, oneman outrigger canoes and rowing shells. I like to go with other people if possible. I let people know where I'm going. I have a bunch of different gear. Handheld VHF radios, Pelican cases for cell phones. When I go into trouble I wasn't wearing a wetsuit. I guess all the gear, skill, experience can't make up for bad judgement. Traditional kayaking can be as deadly as any other adventure sport. I'm personal friends with Dan an engineer for the Ozark Lady. He rescued three kayakers in Mexico, One women didn't make it. They only lived because the deceased women got a call out on the Vhf radio. The tour operator couldn't or wouldn't send out the Pangas to rescue the women. And the Anglo yachties heard the radio call for help.