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Boating / Kayaking / Sailing
There are several boating opportunities at Regional Park lakes and along bay shoreline areas. You can launch your own boat at Lake Del Valle, Contra Loma, Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline, Quarry Lakes, and Shadow Cliffs. You can rent canoes, electric-motored boats, or rowboats at Lake Chabot, Shadow Cliffs, and Del Valle. You can also launch your own canoe/kayak/skull at Lake Chabot. Click on the links below for launch fees and other information. (There are also bay boat launch sites in San Leandro, Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Martinez and Antioch that are not operated by the Park District.)
- Contra Loma Regional Park (Antioch)
- Crown Beach (Alameda)
- Del Valle Regional Park (Livermore)
- Lake Chabot (Castro Valley)
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Regional Shoreline (San Leandro Bay Near Oakland Airport)
- Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area (Fremont)
- Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area (Pleasanton)
Custom-Tailored Group Boating Trips
Our Recreation Department now offers custom-tailored group boating trips on our lakes and shorelines. Join Interpretive and Recreation staff for guided trips touring our natural resources via canoes and kayaks. Trip experiences vary, ranging from paddle skill development to guided trips featuring a local destination. We strive to offer boating services where weather and water conditions are optimal and safe. Boating trips are offered throughout the Regional Park system including San Leandro Bay, Brooks Island, Big Break, Lake Chabot, Quarry Lakes, and more! Boating classes are also open to individuals; look in our Activity Guide for course listings on our website EBParksOnline.org.
For more information on Custom-Tailored Group Boating Trips, please contact Recreation Staff at (510) 544-2553 or email at: recreation@ebparks.org
NOTE: Mandatory Boat Inspections
To provide temporary protective measures against invasive Zebra and Quagga mussel infestation, the East Bay Regional Park District is asking all boaters to assist in the prevention of the spread of mussels into East Bay reservoirs and lakes. If you are launching your own boat, sailboat, kayak or canoe, or inflatable craft at the following locations, be prepared for mandatory boat inspection:
| > Contra Loma Regional Park > Del Valle Regional Park |
> Lake Chabot Regional Park > Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area |
Wet boats, motors or gear will be denied launching. >> More information.
See also:
Contra Loma Regional Park - Antioch
Contra Loma Regional Park includes an 80-acre reservoir open throughout the year for boating and sailing.
- Vehicle Entry Fee: $5 per vehicle; $4 trailered vehicle; $25 per bus.
- Boat Launch: Visitors may launch boats of up to 17 feet. Electric motors only; no gasoline-powered engines are allowed on the reservoir because it is an emergency backup water supply for the Contra Costa Water District. Persons using float tubes must have life jackets with them.
- Boat Launch Fee: $5 per day trailered boat (electric motors only); $3 per day car top or inflatable; $2 per day windsurf board, windsurfers must take a shower and wear a wetsuit.
- Boat Inspections: $4 cartop, $7 trailered
All watercraft need to have wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) available for each passenger.
For more information, call 1-888-327-2757 option 3, extension 4518.
See also our Fishing page.
Crown Memorial State Beach - Alameda
Crown Memorial State Beach is a 2.5-mile beach. From the shore you can see across the Bay to San Francisco.
- Vehicle Entry Fee: $5 per vehicle when kiosk is attended; $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.
- Boat Launch: There is no boat launch facility. Only sailboards, kayaks and car-top inflatables are permitted at Crown Beach.
- Boat Launch Fee: $2 per day car-top or inflatable; $1 per day windsurf board or sailing craft. No charge if carried into the park.
- Boat Rental: Kayaks and sailboards are available for rental.
- Lessons and Equipment Rental: Boardsports School offers kiteboarding, windsurf lessons and windsurf equipment rentals to visitors. For information, visit their website at: www.boardsportsschool.com or email the Boardsports School at info@boardsportsschool.com.
All watercraft need to have wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) available for each passenger.
Del Valle Regional Park - Livermore
The lake at Del Valle Regional Park is 5-mile in length and it is an ideal place for various water sports.
- Vehicle Entry Fee: $6 per vehicle. $4 per trailered vehicle. $3 per vehicle at Arroyo staging. Buses: $25 per bus.
- Boat Launch: Visitors may launch any size boat at the public boat launch ramp. JET SKIS are NOT permitted.
- Boating Regulations:
- Capsized boat charge--$50
- Motor boats of any size are permitted. JET SKIS are NOT permitted.
- Speed limit is 10 miles per hour on the entire lake.
- All watercraft must be off lake 1 hour before gates are closed (note: closing times vary throughout the year).
- Boats, operators, and passengers must meet and observe all applicable Coast Guard, State, and Federal safety requirements (including having approved life vests for each boat occupant, operable fire extinguisher on board, and observing alcohol restrictions, which are the same as with automobiles).
- All watercraft must be registered.
- Boat Launch Fee: $5 per day trailered boat; $3 per day car-top or inflatable; $1 per day windsurf board.
- Boat Rental:
- Rocky Mountain Recreation Company offers rentals such as motorboats, pontoon boats, canoes, rowboats, and paddle boats. Please visit their website at: www.rockymountainrec.com/lakes/lake-delvalle.htm or call (925) 449-5201 for rate and rental information.
- Sunrise Mountain Sports offers kayak, Hobie and sea kayak rentals. For rate and rental information, call their Del Valle Kayak Center at (925) 245-9481 or visit their website at: http://www.sunrisemountainsports.com/.
Sunrise Mountain Sports Store phone no.: (925) 447-8330.
- Lessons: Sunrise Mountain Sports offers various kayaking lessons. Please call (925) 447-8330 for information.
- Tour Boat: Join our interpretive student aides on a boat tour to the dam. They will answer your questions about the lake, the wildlife, and the activities available for you in the park. Bring a jacket, sunscreen and binoculars if you have them. Purchase tickets at the west-side concession beginning at 11:00 a.m. Boat tours are weekends only, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
See also our Fishing page.
All watercraft need to have wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) available for each passenger.
Lake Chabot Regional Park - Castro Valley
The 315-acre lake at Lake Chabot Regional Park offers a number of activities including fishing, boat rental, a marina and restaurant, and boat tours of the lake.
- Vehicle Entry Fee: $5 per vehicle, $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.
- Boat Launch: There is no boat launch facility. Private watercraft may not be launched except for car-top canoes, kayaks, and scull craft 20 feet or less. Personal watercraft and inflatables are not permitted. Float tubes may be used at Lake Chabot. Persons using float tubes must wear waders or other wetsuit material to prevent body contact with the water in the reservoir.
- Boat Launch Fee: $2 car-top canoes, kayaks, and scull craft only, 20 feet or less.
- Boat Rental: Visit Urban Park Concessionaires' website for rate and rental information or call (510) 247-2526. Rental boats include row boats, canoes, pedal boats, kayaks, and boats with electric trolling motors. Guided lake tours are also offered. See fees below.
- Lake Tour: Guided lake tours are also offered by Urban Park Concessionaires, visit their website or call (510) 247-2526 for information.
See also our Fishing page.
All watercraft need to have wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) available for each passenger.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline
- San Leandro Bay, near Oakland Airport
The 741-acre Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline is leased from the Port of Oakland, protecting the remainder of a once-extensive marshland at San Leandro Bay.
- Vehicle Entry Fee: No fee.
- Boat Launch: The boat launch is located on the west side of the park off Doolittle Drive. Watercraft may launch at the designated boat launch, but are not permitted within 100 feet of Arrowhead Marsh, New Marsh, and Damon Marsh. A no-wake zone is designated by the marshes to protect the shorebirds. Follow buoys to the deeper water. Personal water craft (jet skis) and hydrofoils are restricted from November 1 through March 31 due to shorebird migration and nesting season.
- Boat Launch Fee: No fee.
- Boat Rental: No rentals.
See also our Fishing page.
All watercraft need to have wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) available for each passenger.
Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area - Fremont
Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area is a beautiful water-oriented recreation area, which offers more intensive recreation such as picnicking, boating, swimming, and fishing, but also has room for hiking and wildlife viewing.
- Vehicle Entry Fee: $5 per vehicle. $4 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25 per bus.
- Boat Launch: Visitors may launch boats. Electric motors only; no gasoline-powered engines are permitted.
- Boat Launch Fee: $5 per day trailered boat; $3 per day car-top or inflatable; $2 per day windsurf board/stand-up paddle board.
See also our Fishing page.
All watercraft need to have wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) available for each passenger.
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area
- Pleasanton
The 265-acre Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area includes an 80-acre lake for swimming, boating and fishing, boat launch, boat rental and fishing docks.
- Vehicle Entry Fee: $6 per vehicle. $5 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus.
- Boat Launch: Visitors may launch boats of up to 17 feet. Electric motors only; no gasoline-powered engines are permitted. Personal watercraft are not permitted.
- Boat Launch Fee: $5 per day trailered boat; $3 per day car-top or inflatable; $2 per day windsurf board.
- Boat Rental: Valid driver license is required. For operating hours, rates, and rental information, call (925) 426-0197 or see Rocky Mountain Recreation Company.
See also our Fishing page.
All watercraft need to have wearable Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) available for each passenger.
Watercraft Permitted by Park
Click on park name for launch fees and other information.
Quagga and Zebra mussel inspections are required.
Asterisks * indicate permissible watercraft.
| Parks | Contra Loma |
Crown Beach |
Del Valle |
Lake Chabot |
MLK Shoreline |
Quarry Lakes |
Shadow Cliffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canoe/Kayak | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| Inflatable | * | * | * | * (3 or more chambers) | * | * | * |
| Float tube | * | * | * | * | * No mussel inspection required. No towing by motor vessel in water. |
* Horseshoe and Rainbow lakes only |
* Arroyo and Main lake |
| Stand-Up Paddle Board | * Must meet shower requirements, wear wetsuit, and life jacket |
* | * | * Horseshoe lake only |
|||
| Sailboard | * | * | * | * | * | * | |
| Sailboat | * 17-foot limit | * | * | * | * 17-foot limit | ||
| Row Boat | * 17-foot limit | * | * must be carried in; 17-foot limit |
* | * | * 17-foot limit | |
| Electric Boat | * 17-foot limit | * | * | * | * 17-foot limit | ||
| Motor Boat | * | * | |||||
| Patio Boat | * | * |
Watercraft for Rent by Park
Click on park name for launch fees and other information. Asterisks * indicate available.
| Parks | Contra Loma |
Crown Beach |
Del Valle |
Lake Chabot |
Shadow Cliffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canoe/Kayak | Kayak | * | * | Kayak | |
| Sailboard | * | * | |||
| Sailboat | Hobie Cat | ||||
| Paddleboat | * | * | * | ||
| Row Boat | * | * | * | ||
| Electric Boat | * | * | * | ||
| Motor Boat | * | ||||
| Patio Boat | * | * | |||
| Duffy Boat | * | ||||
| Cachuma | |||||
| Tour Boat | * may charter | * may charter |
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