Marina guide
Benicia Marina
Benicia, Solano County, CA
Overview
Benicia Marina is the City of Benicia's harbor at 266 East B Street, at the foot of downtown on the north shore of the Carquinez Strait. It sits about 1.5 miles west of the Benicia–Martinez bridge.
Layout
The basin covers about 17.9 acres. An outer entrance channel leads to a turning basin and inner channel, which connect 15 fairways of docks. The fuel dock is on the western side. The state facility directory lists about 320 slips for boats roughly 25 to 75 feet, plus transient berths, dry storage, a washdown area, haul-out and repair, and a pump-out.
What's different about boating here
Silt is the big issue. A 2025 Army Corps public notice put existing depths at about 4 to 8 feet below MLLW, short of the 6 to 10 feet the marina is designed for. The city has sought a 10-year permit to dredge up to 400,000 cubic yards. Deep-draft boats should time arrivals and departures for higher tides and call ahead.
Out in the strait, winds and currents can be strong, and barges and ships use the shipping lanes. The city's West 9th Street launch ramp, a short drive west, is the trailer-boat option.
Getting there & access
By water
The entrance channel opens off the north shore of the Carquinez Strait about 1.5 miles west of the Benicia–Martinez bridge. Shoaling has reduced depths below design, so time your entry with the tide if you draw much water.
Strait conditions
Winds and currents in the Carquinez Strait can be strong. Barges and large ships use the shipping lanes, so small craft should stay well clear.
Trailer boats
The city's West 9th Street launch ramp is at the end of West Ninth Street west of downtown. It has two high-freeboard docks, free parking and about 76 trailer spaces, and is open from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.
By road
Reach downtown Benicia from I-780, which connects to I-80 and I-680. The marina is at 266 East B Street, at the edge of downtown.
Amenities
- Fuel dock — On the western side of the basin
- Transient berths — Listed in the state facility directory; call ahead
- Haul-out and repair — Listed in the state facility directory
- Pump-out and oil disposal — Sewage/bilge pump-out and used-oil drop-off
- Dry storage — Small dry-storage area
- Restrooms, showers and laundry — Shoreside facilities
- Boat washdown — Washdown area on site
- Nearby launch ramp — City ramp at West 9th Street with a 100-foot fishing pier
Rules & official resources
- West 9th Street ramp hours: a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset
- Small craft should avoid barges and large ships using the strait's shipping lanes
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025
- Children under 13 must wear a life jacket on a moving vessel under California law
Common boat service needs here
Bottom cleaning
Brackish, silty strait water fouls running gear and hulls; diver cleanings keep boats moving and props efficient.
Find Bottom Cleaning, Hull Cleaning & Dive Services providers →Bottom paint
Boats that settle into soft bottom at low tide wear their antifouling faster, so regular haul-outs for bottom paint are common.
Find Bottom Painting & Antifouling providers →Engine cooling service
Silt drawn into raw-water intakes in a shoaling basin clogs strainers and wears impellers; cooling-system service is a frequent need.
Find Marine Mechanics & Engine Service providers →Canvas
Strong afternoon winds through the strait take a toll on covers and biminis.
Find Canvas, Covers & Upholstery providers →Guides & FAQs
Nearby providers
No providers listed near this location yet — check back soon.
Sources
Last verified October 6, 2026