Brian is awesome. He gave me great advice, walking me through the different options for a new kite after I ripped the canopy on my old 10m. He was really knowledgeable about the different models and honest about pros/cons. He made it super quick and easy, and I ended up getting a new North Dice for a really good price. Having previously bought a new board from Calikites, the support is always awesome and I look forward to coming back in the future. read more

This place I stumbled upon looking for a new GoPro. Brian has been super helpful with my myriad of questions from anything from drones to how to start kitesurfing. read more

I bought an Evolved board here. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable.

Bought a Boosted board and was given a quick tutorial to help prevent me from dying. Thanks, Brian! Was in and out, hassle free.

So rad to have a real kite shop right in SF. Brian is a kiter, a super solid guy and runs a great shop. Very convenient central location, great service. Demos and loaners for out of owners available if you ask nicely. read more

Just getting in on the sport, transitioning from lessons and rentals to my own setup; Cali Kites has a really solid selection of top notch gear. Laurel was very patient, answered all my questions, and gave me really good advice - I absolutely love my new North setup. Having only kited on vacation, she was also super friendly and offered pointers for where to go around here, the sites she uses for wind forecasts etc etc. Can't recommend this store enough. Thanks Cali Kites! read more

Great equipment selection at really great prices. Brian is knowledgable, friendly, and knows the sport really well. Better equipment at better prices than the other stores I checked out, and he had everything I needed for my trip to Honduras. read more

Cali Kites is an awesome shop with a killer selection of gear! I'm a seasoned surfer, but new to kiting - I bought a harness from Brian at the shop this year, and he gave me a rock solid recommendation on who to go to for lessons. His advice was excellent and thoughtful (definitely not looking to just sell me the most expensive thing, just what's right for me). Now that I'm riding and loving the sport, I'll definitely be hitting up Cali Kites for more gear. read more

One of the belts on my boosted board v2 snapped & needed a replacement asap. Called Calikites, they said they had them in stock took a Lyft. Bought the new belts put them on & my boosted board is back in business thanks Calikites!! read more

I show up to the shop at 10:15 the door still locked. I called to see what was going on a man answered and told me that someone should be there shortly. I sat out front of the business for 45 minutes waiting for someone to show like the man told me. After 45 minutes I called back the man told me he couldn't get a hold of the employee who was supposed to be opening and that he couldn't help me. This was the worst customer service I have experienced. I was appalled that a business like this is being ran with terrible structure. read more

An updated review after buying a bunch of gear here including a new quiver and board. The shop continues to be a great resource in the city, Brian and Laurel are always helpful and willing to share their knowledge with customers. They maintain a great stock of gear at good prices, so what you need is probably there, or else they can get it quick. Thumbs up!! read more

This is the coolest kite shop in the world much less San Francisco. Super cool dude runs the shop and they have awesome gear. I will for sure buy all my kiteboarding stuff here. Super stoked on Cali kites. read more

Brian is the best. If he doesn't have what you are looking for in his shop, he will take the great length to order it for you.

Brian was very patient with all my questions about my new Boosted Plus board. Competitively priced too! Love this joy machine! Thanks Brian!

Bought some more stuff (new wetsuit, impact vest, booties, kite pump) today from Laurel and had a great experience. She was super patient while I tore the store apart trying everything on and fielded my many questions with answers from personal experience. They have a great curated selection of gear, they're super friendly and helpful, and the prices are fair... Cali Kites is the best. read more

Go to place for all kite boarding/surfing needs. They also do a great job at kite repairs - Brian put together my kite that was split in half! read more

I bought my first complete setup from this shop. Over the course of several weeks and tens of emails, Brian tirelessly helped me pick gear that was a perfect fit....without my ever stepping foot in the shop. I've since gone into the shop and he's helped me out with repairs and warranty issues better than anyone could ever expect. Even though I live across the country now, I still won't be buying my gear anywhere else. Couldn't have possibly been happier dropping my dough on kiting gear anywhere else. read more

I hardly ever review a business, but after going to Calikites I have to say I was impressed. I have been to a bunch of shops and have kiteboarded for 15 years. These guys know there S**** I tried to find a kiteboarding in San Francisco, and walked into this shop. It's smack in the middle of the city, and while I don't really understand the location, I dig it. Parking was really easy and walked up stairs. Holy inventory Batman. If you are a kiter and in need of some new stuff go in there ASAP. Super nice and informative. Thanks Calikites! -JK read more

Brian was very helpful! Great to see a true kite store here in the city!

Bought a boosted board here the other day and they were very knowledgeable, nice and helpful with all my questions.

Brian and Jay are awesome guys to deal with! I bought a North kite, bar, pump and rash guard. They made the transaction super easy and sweet! I actually had a lot of fun buying from these guys! Jay and I laughed the whole time. The kiting world is full of kind, true believers and dreamers. These guys are the epitome of the sport! No pressure, fun, helpful, very knowledgeable. Beginner or expert, you are in great hands with these guys! read more

Came in and was helped in buying a scooter over the weekend. Tried out a couple and one's handlebars felt incredibly loose to the point of dangerous when needing to brake hard. Sales person was friendly, though told me a lot of what I wanted to hear. I asked about the specs of the scooter as someone who heavier and over the weight limit and was told repeatedly that the measured distances and speeds work for 'like a 350 pound person'. After being up-sold to what I thought was the best scooter, I later found out the statement about tested output and performance was a lie (therefore distorting my perception of what model I really needed), and the brochure included clearly highlighted the test subject for the listed output was several hundred pounds less. When put together, the sales person almost forgot the splash guard for over the tires completely until I pointed out it looked to be missing something. The handlebars were also crooked and I was shorted several bolt covers. While the scooter is nice, it does not come near the output I was promised, and I could have ordered online & saved a lot of money and lies from the sales person. read more

Brian really knows his stuff when it comes to kiteboarding, he has been kiting most of his life and even taught me how to kite years ago. They have an amazing selection of top quality gear only so you don't have to worry if your gear is going to hold up. If it isn't top quality Brian won't sell it. Check these guys out for your self. read more

Absolutely amazing customer service! The harness I originally ordered was sold out, so Jay called to offer me the 2018 version at a discounted price. Jay is super knowledgeable and patiently answered all my questions and multiple phone calls. I needed the harness in a hurry, so Jay quoted me different rushed shipping costs and my order was in by the end of the day, even though it was after business hours. So appreciative of all the assistance and will definitely be shopping with them again soon! read more

Thanks Brian, for helping me get all my gear to get started kite boarding, you really know your stuff, I will definitely be back if I need anything else. Thanks again read more

There is a reason this place has off the chart reviews. I am almost certain I could have saved a little money shopping elsewhere but I wanted to give Call Kites my business for the color and guidance given by Jay. And it wasn't only me - the guy was uniformly great with all the other customers who came in with lots of questions when I was there. As other posters have noted, you want to feel that you are being taken care of when buying expensive gear and this place exceeded expectations all the way through the process. Thos includes after my transaction was complete and the shop diligently followed up on an outstanding item. read more

I had a great experience at Cali Kites. I went in to buy an electric skateboard and JB was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He helped me with everything I needed and made me feel very well taken care of. I will definitely go back to the shop for everything related to electric skateboards or kite boards. read more

Brian contacted me shortly after and we are working to resolve the issue. In short, he offered to replace the kite with a model that would work well for my needs. I appreciate the care and attention to customers. read more

Cali Kites is a great spot to get whatever kiteboarding gear you need! Brian was extremely helpful with not only helping me pick out a good harness and wetsuit, but also with advice on kiting in the bay in general. I am new to the sport and any good advice is definitely welcome. Brian has a plethora of knowledge he is willing share. Thanks Brian! read more

Great place, both Jay and Brian (the owner) are incredibly courteous and helpful. I bought skateboard which did have problems, but they went above and beyond to replace it with a working one on the spot, which they did not have to do -- they could have told me to contact the manufacturer. You can try Evolve Bamboo GT and Carbon GT here by the way, they do let people do trial runs. read more

The shop is great, in terms of having what I want in stock and able for me to try it out. And Jay couldn't have been nicer, more helpful, or more fun to work with. Great place, definitely recommend it. read more

Awesome store - been looking for a kiteboarding shop in SF for ever and then I found this one. It's where I buy all of my stuff now because of the great service and prices. read more

Bought an evolve skateboard here. Fantastic service and most amazingly they let you demo both the carbon and bamboo boards

I have been a loyal customer of Cali Kites since I learned how to kite 3 years ago. I have been very happy with all of my gear that I bought there. I shop there mostly for the customer service. The owner, Brian, has given me great advice on boards, kites, harnesses, where to kite at home, helped me plan kite trips, put me in touch with other kiters, let me demo kites... He just knows so much about the sport and is willing to share all of that info. I really only have positive things to say about this business, and highly recommend shopping there, especially if you are new to kiting and you need help getting sorted out. read more

I was looking for North Trust Bar all over internet and prices where about the same everywhere. After digging through North dealerships I found Cali Kites and decided to check them out. They didn't show what I needed online, but I decided send email just for the sake of it. To my surprise got response from Brian in minutes, while he was in doctors office! After a few emails back and forth, Brian promised to call me back after his appointment, which he did and we agreed on price. That's what I called excellent customer service! Since Brian was out of the shop, he called Laurel and told her about the deal we agreed on. She called me shortly, was very polite and we closed the transaction in minutes. End of results, not only I got the best deal possible on what I needed, but personal touch towards me as a customer made my Friday too. I live 4 hours away form Bay Area, but on my next trip to SF I will make my number one priority to visit Cali Kites shop. Need some wet suits and this place looks like have the best customer service and stock. read more

Brian was super helpful. He fixed my old kite, gave me the lowdown on all the new kites and gave me a killer discount. Can't wait to try out my new kite in Belize. Highly recommend Cali Kites if you are looking for great local knowledge and great prices. They also repair kites in shop. I told Brian on Wednesday that I needed my kite repaired for my trip on Saturday, and he had had it fixed by Thursday morning. Can't ask for better service. Thanks Cali Kites! read more

Honest, friendly and extremely helpful. Brain is your man for anything kite in the Bay Area.

Great deals on closeout merchandise. Easy online purchases.