Boating guides

Rules, seasons and where to go, checked against official sources.

Beach Bonfires and Fire Rings in California

Beach fires in California are allowed only at certain beaches, and almost always only inside a provided fire ring or pit. Here is what each Dockya beach page says, from San Diego's fire containers to propane-only beaches and no-fire beaches.

Updated Oct 2026

Where to go

California Fishing Piers Where You Don't Need a License

California doesn't require a sport fishing license to fish from a public pier in ocean or bay waters, but size limits, bag limits and seasons still apply. Here are the public piers in Dockya's directory, with hours and current closures from each page.

Updated Oct 2026

Where to go

Delta Boat Launches and Marinas: Where to Put In

The Delta has public ramps from Sacramento to Antioch and dozens of private marinas around Rio Vista, Isleton, Bethel Island and Stockton. Here's where to put in, area by area, with the fees and rules Dockya has confirmed.

Updated Oct 2026

Where to go

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

Where to go

Eastern Sierra Boating Lakes: Mono and Inyo Counties

From Bridgeport to Lone Pine, the Eastern Sierra has dozens of high lakes with launches and rentals. Since 2026, Mono and Inyo counties require a free inspection and sticker for trailered boats.

Updated Oct 2026

Where to go

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

Where to go

Lakes for Kayaking and Paddleboarding in California

Many California lakes allow kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, but most inspect paddle craft for invasive mussels, some allow kayaks and not SUPs, and drinking-water reservoirs often ban swimming. Here is what each Dockya lake page says, grouped by region.

Updated Oct 2026

Where to go

Shasta, Trinity and Whiskeytown Boating: Ramps, Marinas, Rules

Shasta, Trinity and Whiskeytown share one set of mussel rules and sit within an hour of Redding. Here's where to launch, where to rent a houseboat, and what to bring for the mussel check.

Updated Oct 2026

Where to go

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

Where to go

Where You Can Ride a Jet Ski (PWC) in California

California lets operators 16 and older ride a personal watercraft (PWC), but not between sunset and sunrise, and each lake or harbor adds its own rules. Here are the places Dockya's pages say allow PWC, and the ones that ban or restrict them.

Updated Oct 2026