10 Best Yacht Charters In California, USA - Updated 2023

Cristina
Cristina 
Updated
| 5 min read

Renowned for its beaches, stunning shorelines, and gorgeous sunsets, California—"the Golden State"—is a top yachting spot and attraction not just in North America but also the world. There’s California Delta that boasts over a thousand miles of waterways for explorations and adventures. There’s also Shasta Lake that features a lot of views, water-based activities, and fishing opportunities. You can sail to Catalina Island, which offers a lot of family-friendly and group activities. Folsom Lake is an awesome recreation area that is perfect for camping and other summer outings. These are just some of the most renowned areas in California that you can tour. Naturally, there are dozens more—even hundreds more—opportunities, attractions, and destinations available, as well as a lot of yacht charters to choose from. Sailing is one of the best ways to discover the state’s wonders. Check out some of the best yacht charters in California, USA.

1. Elegant yacht for large groups in San Francisco (from USD 385)

For a party of six to twelve people looking for a few days of sailing, this yacht is a great choice. It offers three bedrooms with five beds and a bathroom, a full kitchen, and free Wi-Fi access. You will have access to the entire boat and can plan multiple days of overnight stays while exploring Oakland or San Francisco.

The operators even offer partial day charters of around three hours each, however, you will have to book the rental outside of Airbnb.

California, United States
22 reviews  Wifi Available
Boat 5 Beds 12 Guests 3 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 12

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
edgar does have direct tv which is nice
we had some problems with the bathroom nice opportunity to learn about boatlife
the master bedroom has an extremely comfortable mattress
Cleanliness:
well appointed clean perfect get a way
Host:
edgar was a great host patient and happy to help
edgar was a very gracious host as well
edgar is a really friendly and helpful host
edgar was a cool host and communicating with him was easy
very friendly and accommodating host definitely will come back
Location:
so many great dining choices within walking distance
it's location is central to a lot of the popular sight seeing & restaurants
nice layout great location and view
Read more reviews

2. Lovely yacht for team building activities in San Francisco (from USD 1995)

Typically docked at Brisbane Marina or optionally at Pier 40 in San Francisco, this 2,400-square foot (223-square meter) yacht called “The Morning Mist” is excellent for team building activities of a company. Many guests opt to use it as a dockside bed and breakfast or take it for a day cruise. The boat provides five bedrooms that can easily host nine people, as well as five bathrooms, four of which are full baths.

The owner offers a three-day cruise that can take you all the way to the Sacramento River.

 Wifi Available
yacht 9 Guests 5 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 9
Minimum Nights: 1
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.

3. Spectacular yacht with a kitchen in Pebble Beach (from USD 6000)

When it comes to luxury, you can’t go wrong with this spectacular 3,000-square foot (279-square meter), three-level floating villa. The rental comes with seven bedrooms, seven full baths and a half bath, a kitchen, a living room, and deck or patio spaces, so that’s four guest suites each with its own bath, a king-sized bed, two queen-sized beds, and two twin beds. It can comfortably host 12 guests.

The boat is so huge, in fact, that it is fully staffed with a captain, a first mate, and a chef, which also means all food is included, not to mention unlimited use of jet skis, a hot tub, and a 14-foot (4.3-meter) tender.

 Wifi Available
yacht 12 Guests 7 Bedrooms 8 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 12
Minimum Nights: 4
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.

4. Gorgeous sailboat for six in Oxnard

If you’re looking for day trips to Channel Islands for up to six people, then this yacht charter is the perfect candidate. The 50-foot (15.2-meter) motor yacht features one bedroom and a bathroom, a kitchen, and free Wi-Fi. The operator offers overnight stays, which will be spent docked or anchored in your destination.

The boat has been on Coastal Living magazine’s best AirBnB locations on the water, so you’re sure that the experience will be worth it.

Oxnard, California, United States
37 reviews  Wifi Available
Boat 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it's very cozy and very relaxing with all the comforts of home
the place was great for us 2 plenty of room in the cabin and outside
loved the peacefulness of our surroundings and the beds were amazingly soft
then sunday morning we indulged in her special yogurt breakfast bar with all the various fun toppings
Cleanliness:
the beds are clean & comfortable
it's comfortable clean and just truly amazing
the property was very clean well decorated and maintained and very much appeared as advertised
the meridian is luxury nice and clean
the boat looks modern and is very clean inside
Host:
karen was a great host
wonderful experience with karen my host
karen was really great host she make sure we feel comfortable
karen's also a great host
karen is an exceptional host and took care of every detail
Location:
the location is great bc we had easy access to carmel monterey airport and salinas
Read more reviews

5. Pretty yacht with a dedicated workspace in Avalon (from USD 1432)

Specifically designed for an overnight on Catalina Island or a three-day private charter, which includes activities, such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing, this 45-foot (13.7-meter) yacht comes with its own certified captain. You will have access to the entire boat, which has two bedrooms: one with two queen-sized beds and one with two bunk beds. The rental also has a fully functional kitchen with appliances, a dedicated workspace, and a TV and sound system for small events.

Avalon, California, United States
68 reviews  Wifi Available
Boat 6 Beds 6 Guests 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 6

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
i would also recommend a lantern for in the bathroom for extra light
Cleanliness:
the beds were super clean and spacious
the boat was clean and we felt spread out
Host:
ralph is an amazing host
ralph is a wonderful host
he is an amazing and gracious host
we found the crew friendly and welcoming our trip went as expected and i would use them again
very accommodating awesome boat with everything you need to have an awesome time
Read more reviews

6. Cozy boat for small groups in San Francisco

Chart your own floating retreat while you venture in and around San Francisco with this 36-foot (11-meter) yacht known as the “Coronado.” The sailboat can comfortably accommodate four people with its two bedrooms that are separated by a living room for extra privacy.

The rental also has a full bathroom and a fully stocked kitchen with a stove, a microwave, and a refrigerator. The host only allows guests who are certified for sailing, otherwise, for an extra fee, you can have a professional captain operate the yacht.

 Wifi Available
yacht 4 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4
Minimum Nights: 3
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.

7. "The Golden State" awaits

There are definitely a lot of well-known yachting spots in and around California, so finding the perfect sailboat to charter can be a chore. This list of the best yacht charters will be a good starter, and it offers everything from romantic retreats for couples to luxury yachts for large groups of people.

8. Comfortable motor yacht with kayaks in Oakland

Docked under 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Downtown Oakland, “Silver” is a 36-foot (11-meter) motor yacht that is fully equipped for a memorable cruise in and around the area, be it Quinn’s Lighthouse, the gardens of Embarcadero Cove Marina, or even the streets of Alameda themselves.

The sailboat offers two bedrooms with two beds—a king-sized bed in the first bedroom and a queen-sized bed in the second one—and a bathroom, which make it perfect for long stays for a couple of guests or day trips with a few friends. Moreover, kayaks come free of charge.

Oakland, California, United States
623 reviews
Boat 2 Beds 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds are comfortable and the sunset/sunrise view is spectacular
wifi worked great and going to sleep and waking up on the water was truly peaceful
shaun was great and even helped out with sharing his own private wifi network
Cleanliness:
clean up was still going on when we left
everything in the cabin worked well and it was well cleaned before my arrival
it wasn’t sparkling clean but we did have a peaceful night on the water
it was clean great view awesome hospitality/communication
felt totally comfort staying and i am big on cleanliness
Host:
great host would recommend him to anybody
shaun was a great host
shaun was a great host
shaun was a great host
host was great in letting us in even though we were a bit late
Location:
the location is super close to sf just about a 20 min drive
it’s location was perfect
nice little boat located at a quiet marina close to downtown oakland
it was so very cute and very nice location
great location with access to the heart of oakland
Read more reviews

9. Sophisticated sailboat with two bedrooms in San Diego

Advertised as a 50-foot (15.2-meter) sailboat of luxury and zen, “Luz de Luna” is a spacious motor yacht that certainly exudes elegance with its design. It’s perfect for setting an exquisite and exclusive ambiance, so you can relax while cruising California.

The yacht offers two bedrooms, two full baths, as well as kitchen spaces, a deck or a patio, and a balcony. It can comfortably host four guests who are free to use the kayak and paddle board included.

25 reviews
yacht 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
wonderful stay comfy bed great captain
Cleanliness:
we used the great pool spa and clean restrooms on land
it was very clean and accommodating for a wonderful overall experience
could be improved by a bit more attention to cleaning details
the sunroad yacht club is clean well-appointed and conveniently located
the boat is clean and spacious
Host:
the boat was fantastic and the host was very responsive
communication was easy with the owner and he was very responsive to any questions we had
Location:
the location was so awesome
great park for a walk or run right next to it
Read more reviews

10. Well-equipped sailboat for two in San Diego

At nearly 40 feet (12.2 meters) long, the “Sea Ray Sun Dancer 340” is the perfect little sailboat with one bedroom that can comfortably host two people, a full bathroom, and a deck or a patio space for hanging out or lounging about. You can go for romantic cruises, visiting the sights of nearby destinations.

Of course the boat itself is fully equipped with a kitchen with all the essentials. It has stairs that lead to a neat little cabin with a cozy living room.

14 reviews
yacht 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
everything was clean and kept
it was very clean and comfortable
it was very quiet and relaxing and our cabin was clean
the boat was clean and cozy
Host:
the owner is so communicative and awesome
a special thanks again to the boat owners
the boat had everything we needed to feel comfortable and athan was very helpful and communicative
Location:
very nice marina (pool/facilities/location/location/location) and the boat was comfortable
Read more reviews

Romantic boat for couples in Alameda

Ideal for a couple’s getaway, this 36-foot (11-meter) sailboat located at Pristine Marina is equipped with a bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchen space. More specifically, the bedroom is equipped with two bunk beds, the kitchen with two stoves, a small refrigerator, and a microwave, plus a dehumidifier.

There’s an easy-to-use folding dining table for four people, and the boat also has an electric turkey and a heater. The bathroom only has a toilet, but the operator says that showers are available at a local club house, which is within walking distance of Pristine Marina. Cozy and comfortable, the yacht covers all the bases, so you can just add to the romance.

5 reviews  Wifi Available
yacht 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2
Minimum Nights: 6
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.

Top guest reviews
Host:
the captain and host of the sailboat is friendly and passionate about his love of sailing
Read more reviews
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Writer. English Trainer. Lifelong learner. Cristina started web content writing in 2009. She also used to write e-learning materials and is currently self-studying to become better not just in...Read more

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