California Houseboat Rentals

Camping is fun on its own — but when combined with a floating houseboat, it becomes a whole new adventure.

Some of California's top houseboating destinations include Lake Shasta, New Melones, Trinity Lake, Lake Berryessa, and the California Delta. Down in Southern California, many residents enjoy boat camping at Lake Havasu in Arizona, and in Nevada on Lake Mohave and Lake Mead.

Most houseboats sleep several families, so even though the cost is high, you can split the price several ways. Unlike camping in a tent, you'll have access to such amenities as private bedrooms, hot tubs, waterslides, satellite TV, barbecues, and heating/air conditioning.

Before you rent a houseboat in California, plan on making a big trip to Costco beforehand, where you can stock up on bottled water, food and water toys. And to keep things running smoothly, assign each family to specific meals and duties, such as housekeeping, trash collection, etc. In my personal experience, the biggest problem with houseboating is people who don't put in their fair share of the work.

That aside, houseboating is an incredible experience. Houseboat rentals in California are offered through companies like Seven Crown Resorts (800-752-9669), Houseboats.com (877-468-7326) and Houseboating.org (888-454-8825).

Forever Houseboats (800-255-5561) offers one of the most comprehensive programs for houseboat rentals in Northern California and Southern California. It's also one of the most "green" companies out there. On board, expect to find SafeCo generators, fuel-efficient engines, energy-efficient lighting and low-flow water fixtures.

Plant to spend roughly $1,000 per day on a houseboat during the high season. If you don't want to pay high dollar, consider one of Lake Oroville's floating campsites. This state park, located in the Shasta Cascade region of Northern California, offers unique camping in the middle of the river. Most of the floating sites — which can sleep roughly 15 people — include a BBQ, restroom, sink basin, picnic table and food prep area.

Each California lake offers its own unique benefits, but you can expect most to offer activities like fishing, kayaking, innertubing, SeaDoo/Waverunners and wakeboarding. Most of the lakes have beautiful coves and hiking trails.

Some highlights:

Trinity Lake Resort & Marina
Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Redding
This spectacular mountain lake boasts 147 miles of evergreen-tree-lined shores and offers a distinctive alpine feel most other houseboat destinations cannot offer. It offers world-class trout and small-mouth bass fishing, small boat rentals as well as lakeside cabin rentals.
 
Lake Oroville Marina
75 miles north of Sacramento
Lake Oroville offers fishing, hiking, skiing, boarding and snorkeling. Springtime snow runoff creates the 640-foot Feather Falls. When the lake is high, you can boat to within a quarter-mile of these beautiful falls.
 
Lake Berryessa
Pleasure Cove Resort & Marina in the Napa Valley
Pleasure Cove Marina is a short drive from California’s most famous wine country and provides an entirely unique alternative to traditional inns and resorts that dot the region. Wildlife is plentiful throughout the shorelines where hikers and photographers catch frequent sightings of deer, wild turkey, and quail around the rental cabins and campground areas. Houseboaters can experience wine tours by day and, by night, sip their newly acquired vintages while luxuriating in a top-deck hot tub under the stars.
 
Lake Mohave
Cottonwood Cove Resort & Marina, located between Las Vegas and Southern California
Devotees of Lake Mohave, just outside of quaint Searchlight, Nev., love its crystal clear water and ample, gently sloping beaches, perfect for mooring a houseboat or gathering family and friends for a beach bonfire. One of the few lakes in the region that maintains a constant depth, Lake Mohave’s typically smooth surface is perfect for water recreation of all varieties.
 
Lake Don Pedro
East of Modesto and en route to Yosemite National Park
This man-made lake was created in 1923 by the Modesto and Turlock Irrigation Districts when they built the tallest dam in the world and drowned out one of the areas most famous gold mining towns, Don Pedro's (Sainsevain) Bar. Fishing is ample year-round for land locked salmon, bass, bluegill and catfish. Base yourself on a houseboat and rent a small powerboat to explore its 160 miles of shoreline and discover for yourself historic mines and wildlife trails that dot the hillsides. 
 
Lake Mead Callville Bay Resort & Marina
Located 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip
This part of Lake Mead is surrounded brilliantly colored rocky outcroppings that change color with the passage of the sun across the sky. Day trippers can make use of the party pontoon boats, small powerboats and personal watercraft rentals. From Callville Bay you can easily hike, fish or enjoy the unique views of majestic Hoover Dam.

Lake Mead Temple Bar Marina
Located northwest of Kingman, Ariz. and one hour from Las Vegas
This part of Lake Mead is characterized by the Colorado River running from the western region of the Grand Canyon into the lake.  There are fewer visitors and glassy waters – perfect for waterskiing and wakeboarding – as well as excellent fishing. Temple Bar also offers a lakeside lodge, cafe, convenience store, campground and RV hookups.

Where is your favorite place to houseboat in California? Let us know in the comments below!