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Why Choose SlipMaps.com?
Extensive Coverage
Our meticulously curated map database covers thousands of marinas, anchorages, moorings, and yacht clubs around the globe. From hidden gems to popular spots, SlipMaps.com ensures you have access to the most comprehensive and up-to-date information.
Real-Time Updates
Stay informed with real-time updates on marina facilities, anchorage conditions, mooring availability, and yacht club events. Our community-driven approach allows users to contribute and share valuable insights, keeping our database accurate and current.
Easy-to-Use Interface
Navigate with ease using our intuitive map interface. Find your next destination with just a few clicks, and access detailed information, including contact details, amenities, pricing, and user reviews.
Customizable Features
Tailor your experience with customizable features. Save your favorite spots, create personalized routes, and set alerts for specific locations. SlipMaps.com makes it easy to plan and manage your trips on the water.
Trusted by Mariners
Join a community of mariners who trust SlipMaps.com for their navigation needs. Our platform is designed by sailors, for sailors, ensuring that we provide the tools and information you need to sail confidently.
Every boat owner eventually faces the same question: Where do I keep my boat? While trailering and dry storage are options, most boaters prefer the convenience of a marina slip. From there, the decision becomes even more specific — should you buy a boat slip or rent one?
This choice impacts your wallet, your lifestyle, and your boating freedom. Just like real estate, availability depends on location, ownership structure, and local demand. Below, we’ll compare buying versus renting, explore regional price ranges, and highlight a unique option: buying slips tied to homes where the owner doesn’t own a boat.
California’s long coastline offers some of the most scenic and diverse liveaboard opportunities in the United States. From bustling urban harbors to quiet coastal towns, marinas in California provide boaters with a wide range of options for calling the water home. Whether you want to live aboard for affordability, adventure, or lifestyle, this guide highlights the best liveaboard marinas in California, complete with approximate monthly slip fees.
Why California is Popular for Liveaboards
Climate: Mild weather makes year-round boat living comfortable.
Lifestyle: Coastal cities like San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are major cultural hubs.
Cruising Grounds: From Catalina Island to the Channel Islands and beyond, opportunities for day sails and extended trips abound.
Regulation: Not all California marinas allow liveaboards, and those that do often have waitlists. Confirm policies before committing.
Southern California Marinas
Shelter Island Marina – San Diego
Cost: ~$18–$22 per foot per month (40’ boat = $720–$880).
Highlights: A central liveaboard hub in San Diego Bay. Close to provisioning, chandleries, and downtown San Diego. Known for a strong cruiser community and easy access to Mexico’s Baja coast.
Sunroad Resort Marina – San Diego
Cost: ~$20–$24 per foot per month (40’ boat = $800–$960).
Highlights: A modern marina with resort-style amenities including a fitness center, pool, laundry, and Wi-Fi. Popular with younger liveaboards seeking both convenience and comfort.
Marina del Rey – Los Angeles
Cost: ~$22–$26 per foot per month (40’ boat = $880–$1,040).
Highlights: The largest man-made harbor in North America with more than 4,500 slips. While only some docks allow liveaboards, availability is better than in San Francisco. Offers proximity to Hollywood, Santa Monica, and LAX.
Alamitos Bay Marina – Long Beach
Cost: ~$16–$20 per foot per month (35’ boat = $560–$700).
Highlights: Recently renovated, this marina has upgraded docks, bathhouses, and amenities. Situated near Belmont Shore, it’s a lively community with affordable rates compared to Los Angeles or San Diego.
Ventura Harbor Village Marina – Ventura
Cost: ~$15–$18 per foot per month (35’ boat = $525–$630).
Highlights: A quieter alternative to LA marinas, with access to the Channel Islands National Park. Ideal for boaters who want a balance of affordability and adventure.
Central Coast Marinas
Santa Barbara Harbor
Cost: ~$18–$22 per foot per month (35’ boat = $630–$770).
Highlights: Iconic setting with mountain backdrops and a vibrant downtown nearby. The harbor has limited slips and strict waitlists, but the location is one of the most picturesque on the West Coast.
Morro Bay Marina
Cost: ~$12–$16 per foot per month (35’ boat = $420–$560).
Highlights: A small, friendly liveaboard community with stunning views of Morro Rock. This is a quieter location with fewer amenities, but it offers affordable living compared to Southern California.
Monterey Harbor
Cost: ~$15–$18 per foot per month (35’ boat = $525–$630).
Highlights: Known for its aquarium and waterfront district, Monterey Harbor provides easy access to both nature and city life. Popular with boaters who enjoy whale watching and central coast sailing.
Northern California Marinas
South Beach Harbor – San Francisco
Cost: ~$20–$24 per foot per month (35’ boat = $700–$840).
Highlights: Located next to Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, this marina offers urban convenience with stunning Bay views. Strong security and full amenities make it a sought-after liveaboard spot.
Berkeley Marina – Berkeley
Cost: ~$14–$18 per foot per month (35’ boat = $490–$630).
Highlights: One of the more affordable Bay Area marinas. Offers access to a vibrant, alternative community in Berkeley, with easy public transportation into San Francisco.
Oyster Point Marina – South San Francisco
Cost: ~$15–$19 per foot per month (35’ boat = $525–$665).
Highlights: A good balance of affordability and Bay access. Offers full amenities, though the surrounding area is more industrial compared to South Beach Harbor.
Emeryville Marina – Emeryville
Cost: ~$16–$20 per foot per month (35’ boat = $560–$700).
Highlights: Convenient location between Berkeley and Oakland, with access to both city life and the Bay’s sailing grounds. Known for being more welcoming to liveaboards than some other San Francisco marinas.
Sausalito Marinas – Marin County
Cost: ~$18–$22 per foot per month (35’ boat = $630–$770).
Highlights: Sausalito has long been a haven for liveaboards and creative communities. While regulations have tightened, marinas here still offer stunning Golden Gate Bridge views and a bohemian culture.
Quick Comparison Table
Region
Marina
Cost (per ft/mo)
Highlights
San Diego
Shelter Island
$18–$22
Cruiser hub, Baja access
San Diego
Sunroad Resort
$20–$24
Resort amenities, modern facilities
Los Angeles
Marina del Rey
$22–$26
4,500 slips, urban lifestyle
Long Beach
Alamitos Bay
$16–$20
Renovated docks, lively area
Ventura
Ventura Harbor Village
$15–$18
Access to Channel Islands
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Harbor
$18–$22
Scenic, downtown access
Morro Bay
Morro Bay Marina
$12–$16
Affordable, quiet coastal town
Monterey
Monterey Harbor
$15–$18
Whale watching, waterfront culture
San Francisco
South Beach Harbor
$20–$24
Downtown SF, full amenities
Berkeley
Berkeley Marina
$14–$18
Affordable, eclectic community
SF Peninsula
Oyster Point Marina
$15–$19
Bay access, industrial surroundings
Oakland Bay
Emeryville Marina
$16–$20
Welcoming liveaboard community
Marin County
Sausalito Marinas
$18–$22
Iconic, creative liveaboard culture
Tips for Liveaboards in California
Expect Waitlists – Popular marinas in San Francisco and Santa Barbara often have years-long wait times.
Budget for Surcharges – Many marinas add $150–$300 monthly for liveaboard privileges.
Plan for Commutes – Proximity to work, groceries, and transit is key if you don’t want to rely on ridesharing daily.
Hurricane-Free, But Not Storm-Free – California is safe from hurricanes, but winter storms and Pacific swells can make slips rough.
Lifestyle vs. Cost – While Los Angeles and San Francisco offer culture and nightlife, smaller towns like Morro Bay or Ventura provide affordability and community.
Final Thoughts
California offers some of the best marinas for liveaboards in the U.S., but availability and costs vary widely. From the affordable slips of Morro Bay to the luxury of Marina del Rey or the culture of Sausalito, there’s something for every lifestyle.
If you’re exploring options, SlipMaps can help you locate marinas statewide. For additional planning tips, resources like Waterborne provide insight into what makes a marina liveaboard-friendly.
Living aboard your boat is more than a lifestyle — it’s a commitment to freedom, coastal living, and adventure. But choosing the right marina is essential. The best liveaboard marinas offer secure docks, community spirit, and reliable services at reasonable costs. Below, we break down the best marinas for liveaboards by region — with approximate monthly slip fees included — to help you find your ideal home on the water.
