Best Boating Lakes in California

Identifying the best boating lakes in California is no small task, with a wealth of options available throughout the state. We've found secluded lakes with primitive camping, popular party spots, houseboat rentals, fishing tournaments, and more on these waters. There's a lake destination for any type of escape somewhere in California. Consider our top picks for your next adventure.

Lake Tahoe

The largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for boating. Though carburetted two-stroke engines are prohibited, most boats with fuel-injected two-stroke or four-stroke engines are allowed. Our Wet Sounds equipment can cut through the noise on any boat to add more excitement to your excursion.

Lake Tahoe sits on the border between Nevada and California. On the California side, resident boaters that are 35 years of age or younger must have a California Boater Card to operate a craft. We've found these waters ideal for a wide range of activities, including parasailing, kayaking, and Jet Skiing.

Lake Nacimiento

Located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Lake Nacimiento offers a prime destination for fishing and water sports. You'll find 18 miles of water and 165 miles of beautiful shoreline to enjoy. Water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, and paddle boarding are all available for hours of fun on the water. Add your favorite tunes with our loud, clear audio products from Wet Sounds for the ultimate getaway.

Mono Lake

Dating back 760,000 years, Mono Lake is an ancient wonder. It contains three times more salt than the ocean. Boating on Mono Lake is a unique adventure. Kayaks and canoes are the most popular vessels, as you can launch them easily from Navy Beach. This lake has many underwater obstacles that are difficult to navigate in a larger craft.

Dangerously high winds are common on the lake, so we recommend taking camping gear, survival equipment, and lightweight portable sound equipment in case you're unable to return as anticipated. There are no sources of drinking water in or around the lake, so you must take an adequate supply. In summer, you should not boat on the lake after noon to avoid the worst of the winds.

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake is a snow-fed man-made reservoir that draws boaters of all types during the summer. A number of guided boating excursions are available, including a paddlewheel tour boat. However, you may enjoy the lake best with the leisure to explore on your own vessel. We've seen visitors take to the water to enjoy kayaking, inner tubing, water skiing, pontoon boating, and more.

Whiskeytown Lake

Whiskeytown Lake is a popular party spot for locals, making it a great destination for a bumping party on the water with our loud, clear sound equipment. We've found all manner of boats on the water, including ski boats, deck boats, pontoon boats, fishing boats, tritoons, and kayaks. Personal watercraft, however, are prohibited.

You can rent any of the aforementioned watercraft from Whiskeytown Marinas or bring your own boat decked out with marine audio to enhance the party atmosphere. We suggest making a weekend of it and exploring the surrounding highlights in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, including more than 80 miles of trails, four breathtaking waterfalls, and the remains of mining sites from the 1800s.

Lake Sonoma

Set against a mountainous landscape, Lake Sonoma is a picturesque choice for a day of boating. Boating and swimming are both popular here, as is fishing for the lake's outstanding bass. Hundreds of camping sites surround the lake, so you can easily stay for a whole weekend of outdoor recreation. The 106 boat-in campsites here offer a great way to truly get away from it all and enjoy a secluded escape. 

Each primitive site is equipped with a fire ring, lantern holder, and picnic table. You'll have access to chemical vault restrooms as well. Keep in mind, however, that you must bring your own drinking water or have an appropriate filter device for the lake water.

Shasta Lake

Shasta Lake is a sprawling body of water that covers over 30,000 acres behind the Shasta Dam. Motorized boating is especially popular here, as are houseboats, which offer a distinctive way to enjoy the watery landscape with one of our complete sound systems. To fully explore the fingers and inlets, however, you may want to use a Jet Ski or other smaller craft.

Cachuma Lake

Cachuma Lake serves as a domestic water supply, so body contact with the water is not permitted. Though you cannot swim, water ski, paddleboard, tube, or windsurf on the lake, boating and fishing are still permitted. Situated just a half-hour from Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley, we love this choice for a scenic getaway. If your trip doesn't feel complete when you can't get wet, you'll be pleased to find that there's a swimming pool in the Lake Cachuma Recreation Area.

Donner Lake

Donner Lake is especially popular for fishing, offering a healthy population of lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon. The waters are also great for swimming, water skiing, and windsurfing. There's a speed limit of 35 miles per hour for boats during the day. This drops to 10 mph between sunset and sunrise and is always 5 mph near beaches and public areas. There are ample camping spots around the lake, so you can settle in for a relaxing stay here.

Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu draws boaters from around the world. Located between Arizona and California, this desert lake has a distinctly Southwestern atmosphere. The fishing is outstanding, with abundant bass, carp, sunfish, and catfish in the water. Fishing tournaments are a frequent draw. 

Motorized boating is popular on Lake Havasu, and many of the campsites along the eastern shore have boat access so you can easily keep your watercraft on hand during an overnight stay. Closer to Lake Havasu City, you can enjoy more modern accommodations as well as picturesque views of the London Bridge spanning the water.

Make sure you always have the right tunes at hand when you're on the water. Whether you're listening from a soundbar-equipped cooler or built-in marine sound system, access to the perfect soundtrack is essential. Shop Wet Sounds to get the equipment you need to set the right mood for your water adventure.