Highline Kites

Fair prices, it’s a mobile unit that he brings on the weekends.
I’m sure you can get cheaper kites online or something, but seriously, his prices are perfectly fine. PLUS, the guy is super nice, told my friend how to set up his fancy kite with 2 strings and the parachute looking thing, my friend got me the easy peasy octopus (score!) and we were off.
The man is really helpful in explaining everything, was really patient with us and even went out of his way to tell us how to put back the string and everything.
I loved the kite flying so much I came back to the marina the next day to fly my kite… yep, by myself. lol

It’s great that he’s here, only he’s not here… Check the website, there isn’t a store here, just a mobile cart… Only weekends!

Stopped by last Sunday to buy some accessories for my kites and ask some questions. Tom was a great help and a wealth of knowledge. I will try to buy all my kites and supplies I can from him in the future. How lucky we are to have a guy like this local!

My wife and I had no experience with dual line kites but wanted to learn. Tom is incredibly helpful. The prices here are surprisingly reasonable and with Tom’s tips, we picked it up right away.

A person will never understand what a real kite and kite flying experience until purchasing a kite from Highline Kites. As a kid I experienced horrible department store plastic kites and strings, would have strings that snap or kites that collide. With the kites from Highline, they flew even at ground level. Unlike the department stores, which sell plastic substandard kites, these kites are nylon with fiberglass frame and high quality line.
The sales staff was even helpful of assembling the kites. Once airborne, the kites constantly flew. It was even flying at 1 foot above sea level, that I had to use my hand to capture the kite.
For a real kite, go to Highline. If you try to go to a major department store to buy one, they will just sell you a junk worthless kite. Real kites at Highline Kites.

Decided to stop by the Berkeley Marina this past weekend and came by Highline Kites because we wanted to get a kite and hang out on the hill for a little while. The guys are very knowledgeable and we ended up walking away with a very basic $ 20 octopus kite (one of their best sellers). They do sell fancier kites and all in different price ranges. The bf and I had a fun time soaking in the view of SF and letting our kite fly. The Berkeley Marina is super windy which is ideal for flying kites, I wish I could say the same about my hair after the experience though. Oh well.

I bought a kite here 2 weeks ago as a gift for someone, who ended up receiving the same kite from someone else. When I called to ask about returning this unopened kite with the receipt, the man who answered (who I think is the owner), abruptly said they «don’t do that anymore,» with no explanation. I would understand this stance had I opened the kite, lost the receipt, or kept it for an extended period of time. I was surprised to hear about their no return policy, which was never communicated when first purchasing the kite. This, by no means is a tragedy, but rather a semi sleazy/​hustler way to do business.

Some folks like to get their lunch out of a truck, I like to get my kites out of one. Bought two kites here including a ’95 which I still use. It has held up great. Appreciate that parts are always in stock and that there no «What kind of idiot are you?» attitude when I show up with a busted spreader or missing standoff. Now if I could only afford a 5 stack of those custom Microns… they’re sweet!

Quick. Easy. Reasonably priced great kites. Takes cards, which is VERY nice! Lets you spontaneously buy a kite and have tons of fun!
Recommend Parafoil 5, 35 $. No sticks or wires to break, comfortable round handle, VERY easy to get into the air, and a long, long string that seems to be fairly strong. Super portable! It comes with a small bag that you can just stuff the kite into. Nice long tail too.

The guys at Highline are really nice and super-​helpful. I did some research on the kite I wanted and they had it in stock. I could not have asked for a better kite-​buying experience. They are very knowledgeable about all things kite-​flying. They even gave me information about the upcoming Berkeley Kite Festival, and encouraged me to participate.
I will buy all my kites from them from now on.

Wasn’t able to find kites anywhere. Thanks to Unilocal for helping me find HighLine Kites. I bought a cheap colorful Octopus kite for less than $ 20 for my 2 year old.

What else do you want from a kite shop?! Tom is as friendly and encouraging as can be, his stock is extensive, his kites are high-​quality and BEAUTIFUL, he has something for everyone in every price range, and I mean seriously… this guy has been doing this since I was in my teens. HE LOVES KITES!!! LOVES THEM!!! We are fortunate to have someone as passionate as Tom providing his wares and expertise to our community. –John, Oakland, CA

This little shop on wheels definitely has everything you need to start or maintain your kiting habit! I’ve bought four kites, two tails, and replacement parts here and can’t say enough about how helpful Tom is. He’ll even show you (or give you tips) how to fly more advanced kites (dual-​line or quad-​line). Oh, and he has something for everyone really… just drop in if you’re curious.

One day I dream of riding the waves propelled by the wind, to skim over the surface of the water and catch some air on a big crest. Hey, if Sergei and Larry can island hop while kitesboarding, why can’t I?! Highline made possible the first rung on the ladder to kiteboarding heaven. A one-​stop mobile kite shop parked at the Berkeley Marina, it’s situated on the foot of some of the best lift terrain in the East Bay.
From mylar ladybug diamonds to two parafoils with seven foot wingspans, novices to pros will find everything they need to take flight. The owner is not only patient and helpful but quirky and knowledgeable.
We scored the a sweet Prism Snapshot parafoil for ten bucks more than it would have cost on Amazon! No premium for convenience.
If you’re wind inclined, let this be your first step to soaring!

This is the place that got me back into kite flying. Definitely recommend for the entire family! I bought about 4 – 5 kites from Tom. Great guy!

I’ve been going to Highland Kites at the Berkeley Marina for over a dozen years I think. Tom is super nice and über knowledgeable. He’s helped me fix my kites too many time to number. I also have purchased at least a half dozen kites from him. Highland has a cool kite for any budget and taste. Tom’s friend, John, is also out there a lot and a quick to lend a hand and swap kite war stories. See you out there!

You know you’re in the right business for yourself when you can write off a kite purchase.
I love squeaky the octopus. He’s like a dog, only lower maintenance. He was a pleasure to walk all along the marina. The kids at school love him too, even when there’s no breeze, and it doesn’t seem that any of these high-​maintenance 3^rd graders have any kite allergies. Score.
The owner is way cool, runs the kite festival, and knows everything there is to know about kites. I bet he gets to write off kite purchases, too.
Find him at the northwest parking lot in his traveling eco-​van. Thursday through Sunday.

The gentleman who runs this little shop-​on-​wheels is very knowledgeable, helpful, and has basically everything you could need either to get into kiting or to support your habit. Their online shop is pretty good as well. The prices are fair (I’ve looked at other web sites) and the convenience of having the shop drive to the Berkeley Marina on weekends is great — I broke a leading edge spar on my quad-​line kite last weekend and I just walked over to the cul-​de-​sac where he parks his shop and bought a new one! Overall a great little shop and a good experience!

Highline Kites has been fueling my kite habit for the past year. I’ve now spent more on maintenance than the kite cost to begin with! I think it’s just the nature of the beast, not Highline’s fault.
The guy who works there has been really helpful, and my kite’s actually in much better shape than when I originally bought it. Also, I followed his recommendation and bought myself a tail– he’s right, the main problem with them is you want to buy more.
One thing to keep in mind: the van’s only out there on weekends (including fridays, I think). It’s hard to do any real kite maintenance on site, because it’s so windy on the marina, so you may want to plan ahead if you need to replace a spreader or something.

This is really cool stuff… if you are into it… if you aren’t… if you are just passing buy, or if you are a little more hardcore and are looking for parts for your kites… this guy has it all.
So it was a beautiful day and I had just picked up a delta kite from REI… a friend went with me and had some experience flying delta kites and was nice enough to go out and show me the ropes… needless to say, we both ended up breaking them… mine… easy to fix, go back to REI. exchange for a new one.
My friend? not so much… special parts are needed… who has parts like this? little rods, little connectors… bungee cords… Highline kites does.
So we trek up to Berkeley marina to find this «store»… not really a store… just a truck that is parked up at the glorietta at the end of the Berkeley marina. He sells it all!!! cheap little kites… more expensive and complex kits… and drawers and cubbies full of all the parts that my friend needs! pretty cool stuff…
I can’t really attest to the price, or put in relative terms because I don’t know where else you would go to get stuff like this. Go out. get a kite… have a nice day!