By Lina Broydo
You don’t have to go away to get away while Covid-19 terminated our plan to sail the packed to the capacity of more than 5,000 people cruise ships. But the fun of rowing your rented boat on the beautiful and picturesque lakes of the Bay Area is a perfect way to safely escape for a few hours from your shelter-in-place home where you were hiding for the past 6 months.
Here is your itinerary to enjoy a few of the Bay Area boat rentals located at Northern California lakes: Stow Lake in San Francisco; Shoreline Park in Mountain View; Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Contra Costa County and Lake Chabot in Castro Valley.
Boat rental companies are taking extra precautions to keep boaters at a safe distance and keep all the equipment including the life vests regularly sanitized. Its time to get some fresh air, breathe deeply and paddle away!
Stow Lake Boathouse in San Francisco
Located in the world famous Golden Gate Park, the historic Stow Lake Boathouse offers rowboats, pedal boats or electric boats.
Man-made Stow Lake was created in 1893 and your boating trip to this lake while floating, boating and peddling around, especially for your youngsters, will always be one of those pleasant and unforgettable memories you will always remember of the challenging times we are all experiencing now.
Aren’t you happy you decided to get away from it all?
Information
Prices range from $22 to $37 per hour
415-386-2431
Stow Lake Boathouse in San Francisco
stowlakeboathouse.com
Photo courtesy of Stow Lake Boathouse
Shoreline Lake in Mountain View
A small lake on the southern peninsula in the vicinity of a very famous neighbor (you guessed it: The Google Headquarters) Shoreline is surrounded by hiking trails and bike lanes that lead to a marsh area near southern San Francisco Bay.
The lake has a resident flock of friendly and entertaining Canada Geese families. Boat rentals feature rowboats, colorful canoes, pedal boats, single and double kayaks, and an enclosed kayaks.
Lot of space for picnic areas so don’t forget to bring a blanket and some delicious and refreshing provisions. Don’t be surprised if the Geese stop by to check on the selections in your picnic basket.
Free parking adjacent to the boat rental place. You may run into a dozen or more of Googlers who ride their green, yellow and red colored bikes.. after all they also need some fresh air in order to circulate their new innovative ideas..
Information
Rental price is $25 per hour
650-965-7474
Mountain View Shoreline Aquatic Center
shorelinelake.com
Photo courtesy of Shoreline Aquatic Center
Lake Chabot in Castro Valley
Lake Chabot is nestled beneath a high ridge, where boaters can explore two outstretched lake arms with secluded coves. After renting the boat at the Lake Chabot Marina which re-opened for business this month, head past a small island, then choose to continue straight ahead to Bass Cove.
You may be surprised by an overhead flight of bold eagle or a giant bass swim right beneath your boat. Now you know why it is called the Bass Cove.
The Marina offers single and double kayaks, pedal boats, rowboats, boats with electric trolling monitors and pontoon boats.
Information
Rental prices start at $27 per hour
510-247-2526
Lake Chabot Marina in Castro Valley
lakechabotrecreation.com
Photo courtesy of Lake Chabot Marina
Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Contra Costa County
Los Vaqueros is the biggest area lake for boat rentals. Venture into nearby Cowboy Cove or West Fork Kellogg Creek for sightings of raptors, including the golden eagles and red-tailed hawks.
Don’t forget to bring a water proof camera, binoculars or a spotting scope. This lake is a fabulous place known for fishing.
Spend a wonderful day enjoying the nature, relax and catch some fish to bring it home for dinner. Your home cocooning will be more tolerable with the striped bass on your plate.
P.S. A key is to make sure the wind is down Always call before you drive to the Los Vaqueros lake. Less than an hour drive from San Francisco.
Information
Rental prices start at $25
925-371-2628
www.ccwater.com/738/Boat-Rentals
Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Contra Costa County
Photo courtesy of Los Vaqueros Reservoir Fishing
Sweet M&M Stairs in Vallejo, California, USA.
Each day from July 31, 2020 and for the duration of the Covid-19 nightmare I will post a different set of decorative stairs with hope we will reach the top when the brilliant minds will find and implement the miraculous vaccine.
Cheer up! Stay safe!
(You can see my previous daily posts on my Lina Broydo TravelLina on Facebook starting July 31, 2020)…
