Boating / 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.)

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 at the following locations: 

• Lake Chabot
• Del Valle
• Quarry Lakes
• Contra Loma

Be prepared for a mandatory boat inspection.
Wet boats, motors or gear will be denied launching. >> More information.

• 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)

See also:

• Watercraft Permitted by Park
• Watercraft for Rent by Park
• Water, Boating and Sun Safety Information

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.
• 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: $4 per day trailered boat (electric motors only); $2 per day car top or inflatable; $1 per day windsurf board, windsurfers must take a shower and wear a wetsuit.

For more information, call 1-888-327-2757 option 3, extension 4518.

See also our Fishing page.

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Crown Beach - Alameda

Crown 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.

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Del Valle Regional Park - Livermore

Lake Del Valle 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: $4 per day trailered boat; $2 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.

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Lake Chabot Regional Park - Castro Valley

The 315-acre Lake Chabot 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.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline - San Leandro Bay, near Oakland Airport

• 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, but are not allowed in the 50-acre Arrowhead Marsh. Follow buoys to the deeper water. Motorized vessels are restricted during certain times of the year due to bird migration and nesting in the marshes.
• Boat Launch Fee: No fee.
• Boat Rental: No rentals.

See also our Fishing page.

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Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area - Fremont

The park 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. Personal watercraft are not permitted.
• Boat Launch Fee: $4 per day trailered boat; $2 per day car-top or inflatable; $1 per day windsurf board.

See also our Fishing page.

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Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area - Pleasanton

The 249-acre park includes an 80-acre lake for swimming, boating and fishing, boat launch, boat rental and fishing docks.

• Vehicle Entry Fee: $6 per vehicle. $4 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: $4 per day trailered boat; $2 per day car-top or inflatable; $1 per day windsurf board.
• Boat Rental: Valid driver license is required. For rate and rental information, call (925) 426-0197.

See also our Fishing page.

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Watercraft Permitted by Park

Click on park name for launch fees and other information. Asterisks * indicate permissible.

Watercraft for Rent by Park

Click on park name for launch fees and other information. Asterisks * indicate permissible.

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Water, Boating and Sun Safety Information

Water Safety Links

• CDC Fact Sheet on Drowning
• United States Lifesaving Association Safety Tips for preventing drowning
• American Red Cross Water Safety Tips

Boating Safety and Education

• California Department of Boating and Waterways Boating Safety

Sun Safety

• American Academy of Dermatology

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