California offers Sea-Doo enthusiasts a wide variety of boating adventures! From The San Francisco Bay in Northern California, centrally located Los Angeles to the southernmost tip in San Diego, there are climates, waters and different boating styles available for even the most discriminating boater.
Boating in San Francisco
From the Golden Gate Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco has something for everyone! San Francisco offers boaters the opportunity to experience many of the top tourist activities by boat! Sailboats abound in San Francisco and there are plenty of marinas and yacht clubs available that have guest docks for your Sea-Doo boats. The city has four marina’s where you can reserve a berth as a visitor. If you are a member of a yacht club with reciprocal privileges you may be able to use the guest docks at St. Francis, Golden Gate and South Beach Yacht Clubs. There are some centrally located public marinas: Pier 39 Marina, South Beach Marina, San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor. For a full listing of public guest docks visit BoatingSF.com.
The waters surrounding San Francisco can be treacherous for boater unfamiliar with the narrow channels and turbulent waters. We recommend that boaters headed to the San Francisco waters conduct thorough research prior to heading to the Bay area. The State of California Department of Boating Services has produced an overview guide that is recommended reading for anyone heading to San Francisco by boat.
The Sacramento River is located near San Francisco and feeds into an arm of the San Francisco Bay. The Sacramento Delta is a endless network of rivers, tributaries and channels that offer boaters an incredible time on the water. You can cruise for days exploring the islands, fishing, swimming, sailing or enjoying the scenery and the sunshine.
Three hours north of San Francisco, in Redding, Sea-Doo boat and PWC enthusiasts will enjoy Lake Shasta, a 35-mile long lake with almost 370 miles of shoreline. Lake Shasta is formed by the Sacramento, McCloud, Squaw and Pit Rivers and is held back by the massive Shasta Dam, the second-largest dam in the US. Lake Shasta is an extremely popular location for houseboating, powerboating and especially wakeboarding.
The surrounding cities of Alameda, Berkeley, San Mateo, Yosemite and many other cities within 100-250 miles of San Francisco offer boating and Sea-Doo opportunities for the northern California boat enthusiast.
Sea-Doo dealers in San Francisco:
East Bay Motorsports, Inc., 21756 Foothill Blvd., Hayward, CA 94541, (510) 889-7900
Grand Prix, 2360 El Camino Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95050, (408) 246-7323
GP Sports Inc., 2020 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA 95124, (408) 377-8780
Northbay Motorsports & Marine, 2875 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95407, (707) 542-5355
Southern California—a Boaters Paradise
Southern California, known for ‘bikinis and babes’ is almost as well known for its endless miles of beach, water and spectacular locations for boating and PWC riding. The crown jewel of California, and the tri-state region of Nevada an Arizona, is the Colorado River. This 233-mile stretch of the Colorado River is a year-round recreation area popular with powerboaters, paddlers, wakeboarders, waterskiers and for overall family fun.
The Colorado River also feeds into Lake Havasu in Arizona; a 45-mile long lake nestled along the foot of California’s Chemeheuvi Mountains. Lake Havasu has 450 miles of scenic shoreline and its deep waters are the perfect playground for watersports including wakeboarding, speed boating, jet skiing, swimming, fishing and boating in your Sea-Doo boat or PWC.
Boating in Los Angeles
Visitors to Los Angeles enjoy sunshine, 75 degrees, ocean breezes and a bustling metropolis. Los Angeles is surrounded by lakes and water which provide boaters with a wide variety of activities to choose from including sailing, jet skiing, surfing, boating, camping, fishing…the opportunities are endless!
The most popular location in Los Angeles for boating is Marina del Rey, the largest manmade small boat harbor in the world. Marina del Ray’s recreation boating area offers approx. 5,300 small boat slips. It is the home to multiple yacht clubs, charter companies, and boat facilities, as well as a popular public beach. Visitors by boat can take advantage of overnight and four-hour guest docks, in addition to a public boat launch ramp.
Long Beach offers boaters an excellent departure point to sail, boat or ride your PWC over to Catalina Island. Located just 22 miles off of the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is a popular destination for all types of boaters. Take a day trip, or stay overnight on the island. Choose from the city of Avalon or the town of Two Harbors, or any of the small coves in between. There are more than 700 moorings located around the island, so there truly is something for everyone.
An hour south of LA is the Newport Beach Harbor with seven islands and unending possibilities for a day out on the water. Balboa Island is the gem of Newport Beach that offers excellent boating conditions and is an exciting tourist destination as well.
For lake or river boating, whether power or sail, things can get pretty crowded, but there’s a lot to see and do. To the east, Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest is a well-known natural mountain lake near L.A., and is popular for a wide range of recreational uses and offer visitors with a quaint mountain town for after-water activities.
Los Angles has plenty of activities and numerous locations for boating. Before heading to a lake or destination in Los Angeles, do your homework! Due to the popularity of most lakes many of them are crowded and limit boat and PWC launches to ease overcrowding.
If you are an avid PWC enthusiast and are looking for a place to ride your Sea-Doo PWC, a few recommended locations include:
- Castaic Lake and Pyramid Lake – Castaic Lake and adjacent Pyramid Lake are both about an hour away from downtown Los Angeles
- Puddingstone Reservoir – Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park’s Puddingstone Reservoir in San Dimas is a 250-acre lake is less than 30 minutes from LA
- Marina del Rey – Launch your boat or PWC from Marina del Ray
- San Pedro – San Pedro is a small port town near LA with a boat launch ramp for Sea-Doo and Jet ski riders (open 7am-sunset)
Here are links to a few useful websites:
The LA County Dept. of Beaches and Harbors
California Dept. of Water Resources
Sea-Doo dealers in Los Angeles:
Simi Valley Honda Sea-Doo, 4346 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93063, (805) 526-4122
Jet World Powersports, 32203 Castaic Rd. Castaic, CA 91384, (661) 294-0072
Honda Of Hollywood, 6525 Santa Monitca Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038, (323) 466-7191
Honda Of North Hollywood, 5626 Tujunga Ave. North Hollywood CA 91601, (818) 766-6134
Mid Cities Honda Kawasaki, 15725 Lakewood Blvd., Paramount CA, 90723, (562) 531-1225
Del Amo Motorsports, 2500 – A Marine Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90278, (866) 460-5261
Whittier Fun Center, 14043 E. Whittier Blvd., Whittier, CA 90605, (562) 945-3494
Long Beach Motorsports, 3291 Cherry Ave. Long Beach, CA 90807, (562) 427-2779
Bert’s Mega Mall, 1151 North Azusa Ave., Covina, CA 91722, (626) 974-6600
Beach Yamaha, 19721 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (714) 536-7555
Corona Motorsports, 363 American Circle, Corona, CA 92880, (915) 735-2030
Mission Motorsports, 1 Doppler, Irvine, CA 92618, (949) 582-0351
Malcolm Smith Motorsports, 7599 Indiana Ave., Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 687-1300
If you are ever in Los Angeles in February, don’t miss the opportunity to experience the Los Angeles Boat Show! Boat show dates for 2011 are Feb. 9-12. Stop by and say hello to Sea-Doo if you are at the show.
Boating in San Diego
San Diego offers visitors 27 miles of waterfront parks, restaurants, marinas, shopping centers and cultural activities. The waterfront is continually bustling with activities. The Bay of San Diego offers more than 60 waterfront restaurants and the Port of San Diego encourages boaters to utilize the “Dock and Dine” facilities located all around the bay. There are 14 “Dock and Dine” facilities located on San Diego Bay. The Port of San Diego also offers a Boaters Guide that includes rules and regulations, dock and marina locations and helpful tips for boaters.
The San Diego coastline is home to some of Southern California’s finest beaches and watersport opportunities. The waterfront offers an inviting atmosphere, where visitors can stroll, bike ride, or roller blade leisurely along the coastline. Mission Bay Park, is the largest aquatic marine park of its kind. It is host to many aquatic activities such as fishing, bird watching, sailing, jet skiing and boating. Mission Bay is comprised of a network of waterways, inlets and islands and the best way to explore Mission Bay is by boat. Most of its 27 miles of shoreline are sandy beaches, with the remainder devoted to marinas and resorts.
As you travel up the coast from San Diego, one of first stops Sea-Doo boat and PWC enthusiasts will want to make is in Carlsbad at the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon. This 66- acre outdoor lagoon, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, provides the optimal southern California location for Sea-Doo boating, PWC riding, wakeboarding, water skiing and other family watersport activities.
The southern California coastline offers hidden gems as you travel up toward the Los Angeles area. Oceanside is a quaint ocean town that boasts numerous small harbors perfect for launching into the Pacific Ocean.
California also offers many inland lakes such as Lake Perris, Lake Elsinore, Diamond Valley Lake and many more.
Sea-Doo dealers in San Diego:
San Diego House Of Motorcycles Inc., 4904 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115, (619) 229-7700
Fun Bike Center, 5755 Kearny Villa Rd., San Diego, CA 92123, (858) 278-6635
South Bay Motorsports, 1890 Auto Park Pl., Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 420-2300
Escondido Cycle Center, 1415 Montiel Rd., Escondido, CA 92026, (760) 745-1615
North County’s House Of Motorcycles, 1725 Hacienda Dr., St. C, Vista, CA 92081, (760) 433-4333
On-water Tailgating: The summer months are a great time for boating and sports fans alike with baseball in full swing and football just kicking-off towards the end of summer. Transom-gating, as it’s also known by the boating community, offers an extra element of fun with a nice cruise on the water before and after game-time. And, many of the waterfront stadiums offer easy access to the entrances. Discover Boating put together a helpful list and tips to enjoy some of the best transom-gating stadiums across the U.S. which include:
Husky Stadium – Seattle, WA
Waterfront House Hunting: Instead of sitting in a car all day and driving from one house to the next, take a little journey by water and be sure that the views from your new home are perfect from the start. Whether you’re just taking in the amazing waterfront homes for future inspiration or actually in the market to purchase, searching by Sea-Doo watercraft will help you see if a property meet your lifestyle needs. With ample storage space and options to add a storage tray, you can have everyone you’ll need on hand. And, accessories like the Sea-Doo Speed Tie and Ladder assist with docking and boarding your Sea-Doo watercraft. Are you an avid explorer waiting to cross larger bodies of water, are you seeking the thrill of the race, or are you looking for a more intimate waterfront experience where you can enjoy a relaxing body of water? Let your ride guide you to your next home.
Fishing: Sure everyone’s been fishing, and everyone who’s reeled one in knows how satisfying that feeling is. But, fishing by Sea-Doo watercraft, well, that’s definitely new. Over the past couple of years, we have received some interesting shots and feedback from fans on fishing-rigged Sea-Doo watercraft which is not a huge surprise considering technologies like the Intelligent Suspension (iS) system that automatically adapts to isolate the rider from the impact of rough waters during offshore riding and Intelligent Brake & Reverse (iBR) which for better control of the unit.
Wakeskating: Sea-Doo has been involved with the wake industry since the inception of the sport in the early ’90s, and our commitment to the sport is stronger today than ever. The talented Nike Wakeskate Team has been instrumental in providing feedback for the Sea-Doo WAKE PRO, the only watercraft specifically designed for board sports. The Sea-Doo “DOO IT” instructional video series offer quick tips on how you can take your riding to the next level.
Endurance Adventure: Not too long ago, we wrote an adventure post about taking your Sea-Doo watercraft on a longer than average ride. Crossing larger bodies of water is a challenging and thrilling experience that will provide memories that last a lifetime, and prepping for such a ride will help you not feel the slide of the dog days of summer.
