California

Vacation Information
(800) 862-2543

Upper and Middle Alkali Lake. Near Alturas on U.S. 395.

Lake Almanor. Near California State Routes 89 and 36.

Bass Lake. Fishing, Camping, Picnic /Day Use, Marina, Fuel, Ramps (small fee may apply). This 4.1 mile long lake is a nice mountain lake about 40 miles north of Fresno. Take California State Route 41 north of Oakhearst to Bass Lake Rd. About 4 miles east of 41.

Bay Model Visitor Center. (Not a boating lake, but something interesting) Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic Day / Use, Visitor Information Center. (415) 993-3871. This is a model used to simulate tidal action and fresh / salt water interaction in the San Francisco Bay area. Just North of the Golden Gate Bridge off U.S. Route 101.

Lake Berryessa. Campsites, Fishing, Launch Ramps (Small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Information Center. Located about 1 hour northeast of San Francisco in the wine country. The lake is administered by the Bureau of Land Management with "on-the-lake" sheriff's. Offers 7 resort/marinas, most with complete services, all offer camping, a couple offer motel stays. The "BLM" runs a public day camp ground with minimal services. Great trout, bass and catfish fishing. All resorts open year-round, most have reasonably complete restaurants/bars/stores.

Click Here for Tubes and Toys and Lake Berryessa

Black Butte Lake. Sailing, Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel. Noted for Black Volcanic Buttes. Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100. Northern end of the Central Valley 10 Minutes west of Orland.

California Delta Waterway. Over 1000 miles of waterways running from Tracy, CA. through Stockton to Sacramento. If you want to waterski, take a train ride, hang out at one of many celebrations, cruise the Stockton channel, or visit the historic hamlet of Locke, the California Delta is a must visit if boating in central California. There are hundreds of resorts all over the delta. The most famous is LOST ISLE which is just SW of Stockton. On a holiday weekend it is not uncommon to see 300-400 PWC, Ski boats and house boats moored to the island. Accessible in Sacramento, located off Interstate 5 in Stockton, and many points along the Sacramento River clear to San Francisco. More information is available below at the (must visit!) California Delta Web Site.

Clair Engle Lake. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). In the Whiskytown-Shasta-Trinity- National Recreation Area. East of California State Route 3 (northeast of Redding).

Clear Lake. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). One near the Oregon State Line and one off California State Route 20 West of Interstate 5 (The Oregon State Line "Clear Lake" is mostly primitive).

Lake Don Pablo. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Information Area. This is California's 6th largest lake. provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities which include excellent fishing for trophy trout, king salmon, black bass, crappie, and catfish. Water-skiing, jet skiing, sailing, or exploring hundreds of miles of shoreline by houseboat are also quite popular. For the equestrian, there are over 100 miles of horseback and hiking trails for your enjoyment. Located East of Modesto.

Click here for link to Don Pablo Marina.

Eagle Lake. Near U.S. Route 395 south of Alturas.

Eastman Lake. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100. In the Sierra Nevada Foothills. 25 miles east of Chowchilla off County Road 29.

Lake Elizabeth. Fishing, Limited Boating, Visitors Information Center. A popular small recreational lake located in Fremont.

Lake Elsinore. Water Sports, Camping, Picnic Grounds, Fishing, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Info. Center. This 4.8 mile long lake is located in Lake Elsinore (just south east of Los Angeles) off I 15.

Click here for a Link to Hot Boat Docks on Lake Elsinore..

Englebright Lake. Fishing, Hiking, Swimming, Rugged Canyons for Boat Access Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel. Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100. On the historic Yuba River 20 Miles east of Marysville off California State Route 20.

Folsom Lake. Fishing, Just N.E. of Sacramento.

Hensley Lake. Waterskiing, Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100. Northeast of Madera off County Road 400.

Honey Lake. Fishing. Just north of Reno near Interstate 395.

Isabella Lake. Fishing. Just N.E. of Bakersfield of California State Route. 178.

Joaquin / Sacramento River (including San Francisco, Pablo and Grizzly Bay / Island). House boating, Fishing, Water Skiing, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramps (small fee may apply), Marinas, Fuel. A state park with camping facilities lies just outside of Rio Vista. This inland area runs from the San Francisco area with popular world wide known sites such as Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge (leads to the Pacific), Golden Gate Fields, Angel Island State Park, China Camp State Park and Point Pinole Regional Park (San Pablo Bay) to the northern California Area (with history dating back to before the Gold Rush. Many sternwheelers ran as far north as Red Bluff along the Tehama-Tulsa Canal). See the California Delta (above) Accessible from many points around San Francisco / Oakland up through Sacramento.

Lake Kaweah. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel. Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100. On the main southern route into Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.

Lake Lopez. Motor boating, Fishing, Sailing, Windsurfing, Various Water Sports. 10 Miles east of Arroyo Grande.

Martis Creek Lake. Fishing, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic Day / Use, (916) 557-5100. Just north of Lake Tahoe.

Lake Mendocino. Fishing, Swimming, Hiking, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel. Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100.

Mojave River Dam. (Not a permanent pool). Some Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use. (213) 894-5635.

Mono Lake. Just East of Yosemite National Park off U.S. 395.

New Hogan Lake. Fishing, Swimming, Waterskiing, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel. Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100. Near the historic Gold Rush Towns of the California Mother Lode. 35 miles east of Stockton off California State Route 26.

Lake Oroville. 15,800 Acres, Depths to 695 feet, 167 miles of shoreline, Swimming, Boating, Skiing, Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Picnic Day/Use, Launch Ramps (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel. Lake Oroville is one of California's largest lakes featuring houseboating and all varieties of watersports. Located 70 miles north of Sacramento off highway 70 and the Oro-Dam exit.

Click here for Bidwell Canyon Marina

Pine Flat Lake. Fishing, Swimming, Waterskiing, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel. Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100. In the scenic rugged Kings River Canyon. 32 miles east of Fresno off California State Route180.

Prado Dam. Fishing, Swimming, Waterskiing, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitor Information Center. (213) 894-5635.

Rollins Lake. Skiing, Fishing, Boat Access Camping, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Cabins, Marina, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramps (Small Fee May Apply). Located off I80 north of the California State Route 174 exit about 15 miles north of Colfax.

Salton Sea. Boating, Camping, Water-Skiing, Fishing, Jet-Skiing, Hiking, Birdwatching, Ramps, Boat Wash (to remove the salt content), Marinas, sailboarding. It is estimated that over 1 million visitors spend time at the Salton Sea each year. Over 1400 campsites are available at campgrounds throughout the lake, including the headquarter, Bombay Beach, Salt Creek Beach, Corvina Beach and Mecca Beach Campground. The lake is currently 35 by 15 miles with an average depth of 29 feet. Located near California State Route 78 and 86. (Southern California). For more information call 619-393-3052.

Lake San Antonio. 5000 acres (average) Boating, Watersports, Fishing, Swimming, Picnic Grounds, Camping (with and without hookups), Marina, Fuel, Ramps (small fee may apply), You can camp on the waters edge with your RV, Trailer, Tent, etc. It both has a north and south shore, including full service hook up area's, store and restaurant, everything is at the lake that a person needs for fun on or near around water. Fish catches include bass, striped Bass, catfish and sunfish. For reservations and more information on recreation facilities at the lake contact Lake San Antonio Resorts at 1-800-310-2313 or (805) 472-2313. Located just outside King City.

San Diego Bay. Fishing, Skiing, Boating, Marinas, Sail Boating, see the Boating America Archive "A visit to San Diego Bay" by clicking here.

Click here for a Link to the San Diego Bayclub Hotel and Marina

Sante Fe Dam. Non Power boating, Fishing, Hiking, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Visitor's Information Center. (213) 894-5635.

Shasta Lake. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply) Marina, Fuel, Information Area. In the scenic Shasta National Forest this area features many recreational sites. Off Interstate 5 and California State Route 44.

Shaver Lake. Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Camping, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel. One of California's best kept secrets. Owned and operated by California Edison this lake is located in the midst of towering pines 5370 feet above sea level in the Sierra National Forest. Located 45 miles N NE of Fresno off California Route 168.

Click Here for a Link to the Sierra Marina and related Links.

Lake Sonoma. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100. 10 miles northwest of Healdsburg.

Stanislaus River Parks. Fishing, Rafting, Canoeing, Boat Access Camps without electric hookup. Fishing, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), (916) 557-5100. 10 miles north of Modesto on California State Route 99.

Success Lake. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Visitor Information Center. (916) 557-5100. 5 miles east of Portersville on California State Route 190.

Lake Tahoe. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Visitor Information Center. One of the most famous! Just southwest of Reno, Nevada.

Link to Lake Tahoe's Largest Marina Marina Village

Tulare Lakebed. Near Interstate 5 and California State Route 41.

Lake Tulluck. Watersports, Swimming, Campsites, Picnic Grounds, Fishing, Ramps, Marina, Fuel. This "X" shaped lake features watersports and measures 4.5 miles wide but you can travel over 20 miles covering the entire lake. Located about 45 iles east of Stockton Route 120.

Whittier Narrows Dam. (Not a permanent pool but great for horse back riding and golf !) Campsites without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic Day / Use, Visitor Information Center. (213) 894-5635.

Information based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, brochures and boaters information.
If you know of any other great spots in California for boating (of all types), or have more information, feel free to E-Mail us at Boating America