Rent a boat with or without skipper in California:

California, known all across the world for being the home of the film industry, is more than just Hollywood. “The Golden State” is also highly reputed as a surfing destination by virtue of its perfect waves and excellent swell all year round. The conditions also make it a perfect place to rent a boat and enjoy the California sunshine. Whether it’s for a fishing trip, or a family vacation, there is plenty to explore along the coastline.

California has a lot of different landscapes. The ocean has some of the most fascinating creatures, like seals, whales and sharks. It is full of life and the residents enjoy it throughout the year, fishing, surfing, and sailing. The coast is wonderful, with a lot of spots and hidden perks that are amazing to explore by boat. California also has some of the best national parks located in the state. For instance, Yosemite with its gorgeous mountains, cliffs and waterfalls, Sequoia National Park with some of the biggest trees, and Death valley, one of the hottest deserts on earth. 

But the state also represents the land of opportunity. In front of the Pacific Ocean, with warm weather and perfect beaches, people come to California in pursuit of their biggest dreams. Sitting on a boat in the middle of so much serenity while cruising along extraordinary sceneries will undoubtedly make you feel connected to this amazing place.

Best time to hire a boat in California:

The best time of the year to rent a boat in California is from the month of September all the way to January. This is the best season for sailing as the weather is good and the swell forecast is most optimal for chartering a yacht. Northern California can be quite foggy from November to March, as the land heats up especially during early hours of the day. The phenomenon is called “Tule Fog” and is one of the main reasons for weather related accidents in California. 

While hiring a boat, you should also be careful when navigating down the coast of Southern California as hurricanes can occur, even if they are pretty rare in the region.

Nevertheless, California is still one of the best destinations for yacht chartering as it offers countless amazing spots to visit, golden beaches and constant warm weather conditions.

Pricing and Information:

Boat rentals in California start at a price of around 400$ a day for a sailboat. The prices vary depending on specific needs and location of the hiring, but the average price is about 1500$ per day in California. Depending on the demand, the prices may also change, therefore, we strongly recommend that you check availability and prices in advance of the high season. The high season is from June to August, when the demand is the highest.

Do you need a licence to charter a yacht in California ?

To rent a boat in the United States, laws and regulations for licence requirements depend on each and every state. In California, laws in place require you to have a California Boating Card (CBC) and to be at least 16 years of age. The card has no expiration date and can be used for life once it has been obtained. The licence can be acquired by following a boating safety course.

Top places to rent a boat in California:

California’s main boating cities are San Francisco’s Bay area, and Los Angeles, San Diego located more towards the south of the state. All of these cities will make you feel like renting a boat was the best choice to discover the area. 

The San Francisco Bay Area hosts multiple different attractions.Cruise below the Golden Gate bridge on a magnificent day. Watch the seals swim around on your way to the abandoned prison of Alcatraz island and enjoy scenery by one of the beaches located on Angel island! 

Los Angeles is one of the biggest cities in the world. Escape the slow traffic and get some fresh air by hiring a boat. There are some great places you can sail to, visit Catalina island on a day trip right off the coast of the city and appreciate a relaxing afternoon.

There must be no better way than chartering a yacht to completely take advantage of the breathtaking skyline of San Diego. Watching the sunset while surrounded by pure nature will enrich your soul and the warm weather will only make your experience even better.

You might be interested in renting a boat at these other destinations in the United States:

- Rent a boat in Hawaii

- Rent a boat in Florida

- Rent a boat in Maryland

- Rent a boat in Newport

- Rent a boat in Key West

- Rent a boat in Fort Lauderdale

- Rent a boat in Miami