Marinas in San Pedro, CA

Early fall is the best all-around time to boat on San Pedro Bay and in Los Angeles Harbor, especially if warmer water matters. Power boating and sailing occur year-round, but Port of Los Angeles planning documents identify summer, afternoons and weekends as peak-use periods. National Weather Service research says sea temperatures along the Los Angeles County coast range from the mid-50s in spring to the low to mid-70s by early fall; Cabrillo Beach can remain cooler because of upwelling. Favor mornings if you want to avoid the typical afternoon sea breeze.

Source: Port of Los Angeles (kentico.portoflosangeles.org)

From San Pedro, you can cruise Los Angeles Harbor and San Pedro Bay, continue inside the federal breakwater toward Long Beach Harbor, or leave through Angels Gate for open coastal water. Most renters start at Cabrillo Beach’s paved public ramp or a San Pedro marina. Cabrillo Marina and West Channel keep you in protected harbor water for an easy start. Downtown Harbor has a short-term public courtesy dock, while the Main Channel is a working waterway shared with commercial vessels. The Outer Harbor leads to Angels Gate; beyond the entrance, you lose the harbor’s breakwater protection.

Source: Port of Los Angeles (portoflosangeles.org)

Four practical day-trip destinations from San Pedro are Avalon Harbor, Isthmus Cove, Alamitos Bay Landing and Rainbow Harbor. Avalon Harbor offers visiting boaters first-come, first-served moorings. Isthmus Cove at Two Harbors combines moorings and anchorage with access to a natural sandy beach. In Long Beach, public docks outside Alamitos Bay Landing put boaters beside restaurants, while downtown Rainbow Harbor has short-term public mooring near shopping and dining. Together, they cover island mooring, beach access and dock-and-dine outings.

Source: City of Avalon (cityofavalon.gov)

California requires a Boater Card, rather than a conventional boating license, for most recreational operators of motorized vessels. Since January 1, 2025, the requirement applies regardless of age and includes personal watercraft. Operators generally must be at least 16 for vessels over 15 horsepower; ages 12 to 15 may operate only if supervised on board by an attentive adult 18 or older, and must either hold a card themselves or be supervised by a cardholder.

Rental vessel operators are exempt. Exemptions also cover direct supervision and qualifying temporary visitors. Approved applicants may print a 90-day temporary card while awaiting the permanent card. California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways administers the program.

Source: California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (parks.ca.gov)

California boaters should carry a Coast Guard approved life jacket for everyone and ensure children under 13 wear one whenever a recreational vessel is moving. Operating a boat, water skis or similar device at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher is illegal. Sailboats over eight feet and motorized vessels must be registered with DMV. Personal watercraft may not operate from sunset to sunrise; operators generally must be at least 16, while ages 12 to 15 require qualifying onboard adult supervision. California registered vessels using freshwater also need current Mussel Fee Stickers, and some waterbodies require inspections. The responsible agency is California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways.

Source: California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways (parks.ca.gov)

In California you must be 16 or older and hold a California Boater Card to operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or more, including a personal watercraft. Someone aged 12 to 15 may operate that same class only while supervised on board by a person at least 18 who is also in possession of a California Boater Card. The supervising adult needs the card, not just the years. State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways administers it. The rental company sets its own minimum rental age, often higher, so confirm it when booking.

Source: California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways, dbw.parks.ca.gov and californiaboatercard.com (parks.ca.gov)

Alongside the marinas on this page, San Pedro has 1 boat rental, 3 boat clubs and 1 boat dealer.