Find your next day on the water
Boat ramps, harbors, beaches and lakes across California, with fees, rules and conditions checked against official sources.
502 places · 11 regions · 15 guides · Every page lists its sources and when it was last checked
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Boating guides
Where to Rent a Boat in California: Lakes and Harbors
You can rent boats, pontoons, houseboats, kayaks or paddleboards at dozens of California lakes and harbors, from Shasta Lake to Mission Bay. This list includes only places whose Dockya pages say rentals are offered, grouped by region.
Updated Oct 2026
Dog-Friendly Beaches in California
Only some California beaches allow dogs on the sand, and the rules change from city to city and park to park. Here is what each Dockya beach page says about dogs, grouped into allowed, time-limited, nearby-only and no-dog beaches.
Updated Oct 2026
How to Register a Boat in California (DMV Guide)
In California, any boat with a motor and any sailboat over 8 feet must be registered with the DMV, unless it is USCG-documented. Registration renews every odd-numbered year on December 31, and freshwater boaters also need a separate Mussel Fee sticker ($16 as of October 2026, per DMV).
Updated Oct 2026
California Boater Card: Who Needs One and How to Get It
Since January 1, 2025, every operator of a motorized vessel in California needs a California Boater Card, regardless of age. The card costs $10 (as of October 2026, per the program), is valid for life, and you get it online after passing an approved boating safety course.
Updated Oct 2026
Electric-Only and No-Gas-Motor Lakes in California
A handful of California lakes limit motors: Castaic Lagoon and Lake Gregory ban gas engines, several San Diego County lakes allow only rental boats, and others restrict engine types. Here is what each Dockya lake page says.
Updated Oct 2026
How to Use a Boat Launch Ramp in California
Do your prep in the staging area, launch quickly, park in a trailer space and retrieve the same way, then Clean, Drain and Dry before you leave. Many California ramps add their own launch permits, mussel inspections, hours and parking limits, so check the ramp's page first.
Updated Oct 2026
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All services · 19 pros →Local detailers, hull cleaners, mechanics and more, with their starting prices and the areas they cover. Ask a pro for a quote in a couple of minutes. Marine pro? Join Dockya →
About Dockya
What is Dockya?
A guide to California boating places: launch ramps, harbors, marinas, lakes, beaches and piers. Each page covers access, fees, hours, rules, amenities and current conditions.
Is Dockya free?
Yes. Browsing every place, guide and list is free. A free account lets you save places and write reviews.
How do you check the information?
We build each page from official sources such as harbor districts, state and county parks and water agencies, list those sources on the page and show the date we last checked.
Which areas do you cover?
California: the coast from San Diego to Crescent City, San Francisco Bay, the Sacramento Delta, Lake Tahoe and inland lakes and reservoirs.
Can I report something that changed?
Yes. Every place page has a "Suggest an update" link. We review each report and update the page.
When can I book boat services?
We are building a way to request services from local marine pros. Create a free account and we will let you know when it opens near you.