Living aboard your sailboat in California is probably the dream of your life. Or, a target you want to accomplish and then head to another marina or state. In any case, you want to know more information about life aboard in California. There’s no doubting that the liveaboard lifestyle can appeal to a wide range of people, both boaters and non-boaters. California is also a favorite place by many sailors and some of its marinas are preferred for the liveaboard life. With California’s housing crisis, many people have been scurrying to find alternate housing options. Some of them accept living on a boat rather than departing the state in pursuit of a more modest dwelling. So, keep reading in order to know more information about liveaboard life in California!

Introduction: Liveaboard Life in California

In general, living aboard a boat entails a simpler existence. It forces you to put your life on a diet. You place a greater emphasis on the fundamentals, whereas you are less concerned with material possessions. The necessity of downsizing forces one to go in that path. Moreover, it’s a more intimate way of life. You are aware of whatever anyone is doing, especially if you have kids. However, this isn’t always an advantage for the liveaboard life but it can be depending on your perspective. You can definitely tell the other person’s moods, manner, and more about what was going on in their life.

Being able to live comfortably aboard a boat necessitates having enough space. A wise person once stated that a boat shrinks by one foot every day, especially at sea. While this is an overstatement, boats definitely appear to be getting smaller over time. As a result, I advise choosing a boat that you will not outgrow rapidly, perhaps one size larger than the type you believe will suffice. It’s not supposed to be a camping trip, but it is about living comfortably and having enough space. A common question concerning most people about liveaboard life is if liveaboard slips are available and how much they cost. For instance, within Marina del Rey, there are around 15 different anchorages, each with its own set of norms and rules, including living aboard. Some don’t allow it at all, while others have a minimum size requirement, such as 35 feet.

Each marina has its own set of regulations and offers a variety of amenities such as pools, community areas, and parking. When it comes to living aboard, yacht clubs are a popular alternative. Note that the marinas normally charge an additional fee of around 50% for the liveaboard privilege, which helps to offset the increased energy, water, and other costs.

Generally, California is one of the most desirable places to reside. There are several causes for this. California is one of the most entertaining states in the country. Weed is legal, the population is youthful and diverse, and the economy is doing great. Moreover, there are many activities for sports and nature lovers as well as many marinas to choose from. The economy and the weather are the two most important factors.

And, if you plan to live aboard your boat, the weather is very important. This is because there are only about 33 days of rainfall in California each year. In other words, less than once a week. If you live on your boat, the exterior spaces make up a significant portion of your living space. You are effectively losing half of your home if you are forced to live below deck due to inclement weather. In California, this isn’t an issue.

>>Also Read: Best Boating Destinations in California

Costs of Living Aboard in California

California, particularly Los Angeles, is a liberal state. However, your personality and preferences will play a big role in determining whether or not this is right for you. Note that your political beliefs should not determine where you choose to live. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is arguably the most left-wing metropolis in the country. This is neither good nor bad; it is simply something to be aware of. Furthermore, depending on the type of climate you choose, the temperature might be viewed as a positive or negative factor.

It’s time to think about where you’d like to reside once you’ve determined whether or not California is the state for you. For example, San Diego is significantly different from San Francisco in terms of lifestyle. There’s a lot to think about when comparing cities, much alone specific marinas. Renting a marina slip is similar to renting an apartment in terms of commitment. As a result, ensuring you choose the proper one is crucial. You can rent on a weekly basis without a contract, but you will lose your renter’s rights and it will be more expensive. Most marinas will give you a better deal if you sign a long-term contract. Both of you will benefit from the increased security.

The most important costs about the liveaboard life are slip fees, boat insurance, boat mortgage payments, gas, waste management, food, and water. Determining and sticking to a budget is the most effective strategy to control spending. Boat insurance can be as expensive as home insurance, depending on the size and value of the vessel. Because you won’t be heating, cooling, or lighting as much room, property taxes and electricity will be lower. You’ll almost certainly save money on waste management, gas, and water. Maintenance is an area where prices skyrocket. Marine parts and labor are typically more expensive than their domestic counterparts, sometimes by as much as 20%. Keep in mind that slip fees vary considerably depending on the county you will choose to live in.

Best Liveaboard Marinas in California

Liveaboard Marinas in Northern California:

• Safe Harbor Loch Lomond, San Rafael
• Eureka Public Marina, Eureka
• Vallejo Municipal Marina, Vallejo
• Safe Harbor Ballena Isle, Alameda
• Grand Marina, Alameda
• Antioch Marina, Antioch
• Safe Harbor Emeryville, Emeryville
• Napa Valley Yacht Club, Napa Valley
• Tiki Lagoon Resort & Marina, Stockton
• Stockton Downtown Marina
• Owl Harbobr Marina, Isleton
• Delta Bay Marina, Isleton
• Suisun City Marina
• Westpoint Harbor, Redwood City
• Glen Cove Marina
• Stan’s Yolo Marina, Clarksburg

Liveaboard Marinas in Southern California:

• Redondo Beach Marina
• Ventura West Marina
• Safe Harbor Ventura Isle
• Oceans West Marina, Ventura
• Half Moon Marina, San Diego
• Sun Harbor Marina, San Diego
• Harbor Island West Marina, San Diego
• Safe Harbor Cabrillo Isle, San Diego
• Santa Barbara Harbor, Los Angeles
• Marina Harbor Anchorage, Marina Del Rey
• Alamitos Bay Marina, Long Beach
• Shoreline Marina, Long Beach
• California Yacht Marina – Chula Vista
• Loews Crown Isle Marina
• Avalon Harbor, Santa Catalina Island
• Belle Isle Marina, Georgetown
• Vue Marina, Newport Beach
• Seabridge Marina, Oxnard
• Safe Harbor Anacapa Isle, Oxnard
• The Marina at Dana Point
• California Yacht Marina, Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro
• California Yacht Marina, Port Royal Marina, Redondo Beach
• Island Yacht Anchorage, Wilmington
• Cerritos Yacht Anchorage, Wilmington

>>Also Read: Is it Dangerous to Sail from California to Hawaii?

Liveaboard Lifestyle in California

In general, it is rewarding to live on the ocean. You have the freedom to travel, a community living at the docks, and a simple lifestyle to follow. Of course, living on a boat comes with its own set of difficulties. Rain and wind, for example, might pose some difficulties. Also, it’s possible that your next-door neighbor is less-than-ideal at times. It could be difficult if you’re next to someone who is loud or has an untidy boat. Most boating communities, on the other hand, are made up of people who are friendly, respectful of one another’s privacy, and collegial. For instance, the marinas in Ventura Harbor are quite welcoming to liveaboards, giving them a sense of a real boating community. Many liveaboards also have access to the Channel Islands National Park in the west and the mountains in the east.

Being a liveaboard helps to reduce the clutter that is common in land-based dwellings. It’s much simpler on a boat. You realize you don’t require much of the extra belongings you think you need. As a result, you’ll have more money to spend on other things. Outside of the country, you can do a lot of traveling. Living aboard a boat necessitates a willingness to let up material possessions. Learning to live tiny is the most difficult change, but it is also the most liberating, as dock parties, dinners, and events are all prevalent among most Californian marinas. You form friendships with folks you’ll meet during dinner with others.

Most liveaboards state that maintaining a boat can be difficult in California, but that with patience and hard effort, many concerns can be resolved. Everything has a learning curve to it. I don’t think you need to know much about boats to do it; all you need to do is be at ease with yourself and recognize that this isn’t a house; it’s different, and you just have to go with the flow.

The monthly costs of being a liveaboard might vary from one liveaboard to another. A liveaboard who lives aboard a 40-foot sailboat in a marina with a $20 per foot slip fee would pay the marina $800 per month. Electricity, bottom cleaning, topside cleaning, sewage, maintenance, insurance, and taxes are other important costs. These charges could increase monthly living expenses by $500 to $600 or more. Payments on the vessel, if any, are another potential monthly expense.

The Pros and Cons of the Liveaboard Life in California

Moving onboard can be a time-consuming procedure. You have to get rid of everything that won’t fit aboard the boat. This is because you intend to travel for a few years and don’t want to worry about storing your belongings. You might don’t care for the marina’s position as much as others, but the amenities and the community fulfill your needs and preferences. Other times you might really like the location but the marina doesn’t offer cheap slip fees or adequate amenities.

Being a liveaboard does have its drawbacks, however, the precise drawbacks differ from boater to boater. Being a liveaboard can be less expensive than living in a land-based home or apartment. But, the cost of living on a sailboat is ultimately determined by marina fees and the kind, size, and condition of the boat. For example, it’s not easy to find a liveaboard slip at any of the Port of Los Angeles marinas. Living aboard a boat is limited to 5% of available spots at each marina by the Port of Los Angeles. On the other hand, those who choose to live near the Cerritos Channel and the Port of Los Angeles’ East Basin will discover a unique blend of charm and challenges.

Another advantage of the liveaboard life is that you’re always on the water and aware of the weather conditions. Liveaboards may also choose specific marinas in order to make friendships, get away from the hustle and bustle, or just to change their way of living. A very important consideration for liveaboards is safety and security in the marina they choose to live in. Liveaboards detect if a boat is taking on water or if there is a boat that doesn’t belong here because they go by the marina every day. Liveaboards will notify the Port Police if they notice suspicious activity in their marina or the surrounding region because they are familiar with the area.

These are some of the most important questions you have to ask yourself. Is this the right way of life for me? Can I afford to properly maintain and repair my boat? Will I be able to work on board or from the marina of my choice? Is the marina where I want to live offering liveaboard slips right now? How long should I expect to have to wait to become a licensed liveaboard? Is my boat large enough for a family to live on? Will my family be at ease onboard? Will we be ready if something goes wrong with our boat, such as a costly repair or irreversible damage?

For individuals hoping for a quick resolution to their problem of high rent, living on a boat may cause more problems than it solves. Ocean enthusiasts with boating experience (or a desire to gain experience) and a desire to be a part of a close community – as well as patience and a willingness to be open-minded during the process of applying for liveaboard status – will find this a gratifying experience.

Permits and Prices in Certain California Marinas

Note that in all of Long Beach’s marinas, up to 230 liveaboards are permitted. Shoreline Marina in downtown Long Beach has the most liveaboards, with three vessels in Rainbow Harbor/Marina also serving as primary residences (3.5 percent of slip count). Avalon Harbor is home to a small number of boats, who enjoy active summers and occasionally stormy winters. Only a few liveaboard licenses are available on the central Orange County coast, and liveaboards are only allowed on the city’s offshore moorings. A liveaboard may occupy no more than 7% of all offshore moorings in Newport Harbor, according to city regulation. A couple of liveaboards can be found at Sunset Aquatic Park in Huntington Harbour.

Note that the cost of a liveaboard slip in Wilmington is generally lower than that of a marina in Long Beach or San Pedro. The Port of Los Angeles exclusively admits liveaboards for safety and security reasons. Only a few marina managers are liveaboards, and no marina owners dwell at these marinas.

Orange County’s southernmost harbor is in Dana Point Marina. To receive a liveaboard permit in Dana Point, a potential tenant must meet specific standards and pay the required rent and cost. For example, a liveaboard vessel has at least 140 square feet of usable area for one person and an extra 40 square feet for each tenant. The charge for a liveaboard is 40% of the basic slip rate. So, the owner of a 35-footer, the smallest boat allowed in a liveaboard spot, would pay $622 in rent plus $248.80 in liveaboard fees, in Dana Harbor. Liveaboards are also authorized in Redondo Beach and Marina del Rey; however, at Redondo Beach’s King Harbor Marina, liveaboards are not permitted to be near to or across from one another.

Owning the Right Boat, Being in the Right Place

Boats are costly, sometimes exceeding the average cost of a home in the United States, particularly if they meet the criteria for liveaboard status in some marinas. Aside from routine upkeep, persons interested in becoming liveaboards must choose the type of boat that will best meet their needs. Most marinas will have minimum boat size requirements for liveaboard status: it might be as small as a 25-footer or as large as a 30 or 35-footer, depending on the marina. Everything depends on the marina.

There are several trawlers and other boat designs available today that would make living onboard comparable to living in a floating condo, but those boats may come at a cost. If you buy a used boat for a low price, keep in mind that it may require a lot of maintenance. New boats that provide the comfort that some are looking for could cost more than $100,000, with some of the newer vessels costing significantly more than the typical home price. The size of the vessel may also be determined by the number of people living onboard. For example, for a single person, 25-foot vessels are preferable, however for a family of two or more, scaling up may be more convenient.

If you’re thinking of living on a boat, consider saving up enough money to get a newer boat. Spend a few hundred dollars on a marine surveyor once you’ve found the one you want. Like this, there will be no surprises down the road.

Every marina will have its own process for applying for liveaboard status. Some are run by municipalities, while others are run for profit by private companies. Depending on the popularity of the location, municipally-owned harbors will often have a significantly lower restriction or percentage of liveaboards. Note that in order to get a slip, you’ll usually have to wait a lengthy time.

One thing to keep in mind while deciding whether or not a liveaboard is good for you or your family is that while you own the boat, you do not own the boat slip. The marina is essentially renting the slip, which implies there may be an increase in slip rental prices at times. While owning a home provides equity, the value of a boat may depreciate over time. With slip payments, a boat payment (if you don’t own the boat outright), maintenance costs, and so on, living aboard a boat might be comparable to Southern California’s median rental expenses. In other words, living aboard is by no means a cheap or simple alternative.

Living on a Boat in California – The Bottom Line

Hopefully, you now have a solid idea of whether California is the right place for you. In the United States, there are a plethora of wonderful spots to live aboard your sailboat. And, California is unquestionably one of the best states in the country. However, prices can be really expensive. California is not cheap to live in, but you get what you pay for. Good weather, delicious food, and a plethora of activities. If you’re not sure if you want to live there full-time, spend your next holiday anchored at one of the marinas in order to get a grasp of things. It can offer you a taste of what your life might be like if you decide to go ahead and make the move.

So, are you interested in becoming a liveaboard in California? Many marinas provide detailed information to boaters regarding some of the factors involved, such as monthly rates and amenities available. Some marinas have quotas or other restrictions on how many liveaboards are allowed. Make sure to check each harbor’s or marina’s website to see if liveaboards are permitted. What are the rules for liveaboard tenants? Is there a liveaboard slips waiting list? What is the cost of a liveaboard? Also, ask about parking, security, restrooms, showers, communal areas, WiFi access, and proximity to restaurants, freeways, and shopping.

I wish that this article was helpful to your research about living aboard your sailboat in a Californian marina or harbor. Wish you all safe & pleasant voyages!