Is going cheap on a kayak the best bet?
I got two of those Intex kayaks on sale a year or so before covid. On sale they were super cheap, like $180 for both. Really great kayaks for inflatable. Very versatile for packing in small cars, probably could've fit the single on my bike too.
However they both sprung leaks randomly at the same exact time recently. Should be patchable, but even if not they were well worth it. If anything I think spending more than that would be silly because you're still limited by the physics of the vinyl material. Enough inflations, uv, sand abrasion, salt water, etc will cause failures in any inflatable.
Anyways, favorite spot was tomales bay north of SF and Point Reyes. It feels like you're on the ocean but it's very protected. Cool islands in the middle, beaches on the far side. Just far enough paddling across to feel like you're actually getting out into the wild, without having to get crazy tired.
Otherwise had some sketchy trips because we didn't check the tide/wind at china camp, and also a cool inlet at point Reyes. China camp was the longest, hardest one mile of my life trying to get back.