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California boating waters. Backdrop for the Boating Hubs California marina directory

Marinas · California

Marinas in California

Cruise 11 marinas across California. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Coastline, Sierras, deserts, and redwoods. Every outdoor environment in one state.

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View 11 marinasGet listed free

Highest rated

Marinas in California by Google rating

Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across the 10 of 11 marinas in California with 10 or more Google reviews.

MarinaCityRating
OnBoatMarina Del Rey4.9161 Google reviews
Sunnyside Marina & Watersport RentalsTahoe City4.8709 Google reviews
Marina HarborMarina del Rey4.8450 Google reviews
Marina Del Rey MarinaMarina Del Rey4.8205 Google reviews
Marina del Rey Inlet ParkLos Angeles4.7682 Google reviews
Tahoe City MarinaTahoe City4.7329 Google reviews
Anchorage at Marina HarborMarina Del Rey4.789 Google reviews
Ski Run MarinaSouth Lake Tahoe4.51,340 Google reviews

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11 marinas in California

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Also on the water

Boat rentals, tours and charters in California

See all 39 on the map

Top camping

Most-booked campgrounds in California

Federal campgrounds in California that Recreation.gov lists for boating, ranked by how many times they were booked in fiscal 2025.

  1. Point Reyes National Seashore Campground1

    Point Reyes National Seashore Campground

    15,073 bookings
  2. 2

    Fallen Leaf Campground

    14,527 bookings
  3. 3

    Manzanita Lake

    13,619 bookings
  4. Pinecrest4

    Pinecrest

    13,082 bookings
  5. 5

    Serrano

    12,812 bookings

Bookings: Recreation.gov, fiscal 2025 (Oct 2024 to Sep 2025).

On the map

Marinas, boat launches, rivers & creeks and camping in California

Everything we have mapped in California, on one map. Tap anything for its details.

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Tap a launch to pinpoint it on the map, then open it for ramp type, fees, and the nearest marina.

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Browse all 723 boat launches

About California

San Diego Bay on a Saturday morning. The fog lifting off the Golden Gate. A houseboat idling through a Delta slough. California's boating covers more ground, and more kinds of water, than most countries manage. Down south, the harbors of San Diego Bay and the marinas of Marina del Rey stage trips out to the Channel Islands National Park, a remote archipelago of secluded anchorages and thick wildlife. The central coast is wilder and shorter on protected harbors; it belongs to experienced mariners.

San Francisco Bay is one of the world's great sailing grounds: strong, reliable wind, the Golden Gate Bridge as a course mark, and well-equipped marinas in Sausalito, Alameda, and San Francisco proper. Push east and the water changes character entirely: the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta sprawls across more than 1,000 miles of navigable waterways, a freshwater maze of sloughs, islands, and river towns like Rio Vista and Stockton where powerboaters, houseboaters, and anglers can lose a whole summer.

The lakes hold up their end too. Lake Tahoe sits high in the Sierra Nevada, its famously clear water drawing powerboats and sailboats all summer. Shasta Lake in the north and Big Bear Lake in the south each run their own scenes: watersports, fishing, marina-supported cruising. And across all of it, charter operators fill the gap for boaters without a hull of their own, from bareboat to fully captained.

Best time to go

When to cruise in California

Year-round. Conditions vary dramatically by region.

Quick facts

Boat launches mapped
723
Rivers mapped
3,324
Marinas listed
11
Best season
Year-round

Trip guide

Know before you go in California

Federal permits, lotteries and timed-entry reservations in California, from Recreation.gov.

Confirm current requirements with the agency that sets them before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • California Boater Card

    Operators of motorized vessels on California waterways are required to possess a California Boater Card. The requirement was phased in by age group between 2018 and 2025; as of January 1, 2025 it applies to all operators regardless of age, with no remaining age-based compliance dates.

  • Vessel Registration

    All motorized vessels and sailboats over eight feet in length operating on California waters must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Registration decals must be displayed on both sides of the bow. Non-motorized vessels like kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are generally exempt.

  • Quagga/Zebra Mussel Prevention

    To prevent the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels, vessels entering many California freshwater bodies, particularly reservoirs and lakes, may be subject to mandatory inspection and decontamination. Boaters should clean, drain, and dry their vessels thoroughly before launching into any new waterway and be prepared for inspections.

  • Marine Sanitation Devices

    California has strict regulations regarding the discharge of sewage from vessels. All recreational vessels with installed toilets must be equipped with a Coast Guard-approved Marine Sanitation Device (MSD). Discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited in all California waters, and many areas are designated No Discharge Zones (NDZs). Verify specific NDZ boundaries with local authorities.

01Do I need a boater education card to operate a boat in California?
Yes. California requires motorized-vessel operators to carry a California Boater Card, phased in by age group with all operators covered by January 1, 2025. The card is issued by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways and, once obtained, is valid for life.
02Are there different regulations for freshwater lakes versus coastal waters?
General boating law applies statewide, but the details shift with the water. Freshwater lakes lean hard on invasive-species prevention (quagga and zebra mussels) and often add speed limits or vessel restrictions. Coastal waters layer on federal and state rules for marine sanctuaries, fishing, and waste discharge.
03What is the best time of year to charter a boat in California?
Late spring and fall hit the sweet spot: pleasant weather, thinner crowds, and often calmer water. Summer is peak season, more demand, frequently higher prices. Winter still works in the milder southern regions, but the weather is less predictable.
04How do I find transient slips or moorings at marinas?
Contact marinas directly or use online marina directories and booking platforms. Reserve ahead: weekends, holidays, and the popular destinations fill early. Yacht club members may also find reciprocal arrangements at some marinas.
05Are there any special environmental regulations I should be aware of?
California's environmental rules are strict: no discharging sewage, oil, or garbage into state waters, and many areas are designated No Discharge Zones. Add marine protected areas, speed restrictions that protect marine life, and invasive-species requirements for freshwater bodies, and it pays to read up before launch.
06Can I charter a boat in California without owning one?
Absolutely, chartering is one of the most popular ways onto the water here. Choose a bareboat charter and run the vessel yourself (appropriate licensing and experience required), or a captained charter with a professional skipper aboard. Fleets range from sailboats to power yachts, for a day or a week.

Watch & learn

Watch & learn, California

  • YouTube

    Boating the 1644ft deep- Lake Tahoe. + Bear tries to steal cookies.

    Tahoe Mountain Life

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  • YouTube

    Nautical Access Boating Club: Explore The San Francisco Bay By Boat 🛥

    Passage Nautical Enterprises

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  • YouTube

    Anacapa Island Day Trip in Channel Islands National Park

    California Through My Lens

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Everything MapListings, trails, spots, clubs and public land on a single full-screen map. Switch layers on and off, then tap any point for the details.

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