{"id":328339,"date":"2026-05-22T21:05:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T21:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/328339\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T21:05:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T21:05:11","slug":"memorial-day-boat-tube-paddleboard-rentals-in-sacramento","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/328339\/","title":{"rendered":"Memorial Day boat, tube, paddleboard rentals in Sacramento"},"content":{"rendered":"

Though Sacramento already saw scorching temperatures as early as March<\/a>, the ceremonial start to summer is this weekend, with Monday marking Memorial Day.<\/p>\n

The region\u2019s renowned rivers and lakes will likely be packed with folks getting their first dips of the season this holiday weekend. Forecasted temperatures in the 80s<\/a> and expected lake water temps around the mid-70s<\/a> will provide great conditions for boaters, tubers, swimmers and other water enjoyers.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the holiday, officials are reminding those heading to the waterways to practice safe habits, in particular wearing life jackets. Free life jacket borrowing stations are available<\/a> across the American River Parkway, according to Sacramento County.<\/p>\n

Under California law, each person onboard a watercraft is required to carry a life jacket. Though it\u2019s highly recommended for all swimmers and boaters to wear a life jacket on the water, state law<\/a> and county ordinances mandate children under 13 to wear life jackets.<\/p>\n

If you want to get in on the Memorial Day water fun, these are some places around California\u2019s capital region to rent boats, canoes, tubes and other gear for the long weekend.<\/p>\n

\"Tajala Tajala Jambdi, 7, of Sacramento splashes water while wearing a life jacket on the American River at River Bend Park in Carmichael on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com River rentals<\/p>\n

The American River is one of the area\u2019s favorite waterways for rafting, boating and tubing. Dozens of river access points are scattered across the river\u2019s 23-mile parkway in Sacramento and neighboring cities.<\/p>\n

With the American River\u2019s popularity, there are numerous rental and guided excursion companies in the area serving the waterway, including during Memorial Day weekend.<\/p>\n

Whitewater rafting<\/p>\n

The American River features a diverse set of rapids, from calm, Class I water all the way to thrilling Class V drops and turns. A number of businesses in the area offer guided whitewater adventures with trained guides.<\/p>\n

Trip packages vary from half-day trips with a provided lunch to a two-day excursion with included camping and multiple meals.<\/p>\n

Last-minute reservations for Memorial Day weekend are still available, including with guide companies American Whitewater Expeditions<\/a>, River Runners<\/a> and Sierra Whitewater<\/a>. Trip prices vary by company and route, but all guided tours tend to run the same routes down the American River, traversing low- to mid-class rapids. The most popular beginner tours travel along the river\u2019s South Fork, at the Chili Bar and Gorge areas, while trips on the Middle Fork and North Fork offer a higher thrill level.<\/p>\n

\"A A kayaker traverses the Class III-plus Troublemaker rapid Sunday, May 21, 2023, on the south fork of the American River in Coloma. Sara Nevis The Sacramento Bee American River Rentals<\/p>\n

For a slow-paced day floating along the river, American River Rentals<\/a> has tubes and rafts of varying sizes available.<\/p>\n

The largest and costliest 12-person raft goes for $299 for a one-day rental during the holiday weekend, making it a highly affordable option for a large group of friends and family. Group rafts are available for four, six, eight, 10 and 12 riders, priced at roughly $25-$27 per person.<\/p>\n

A single-person tube, complete with paddles and an inflatable life vest, can be rented for $40 on the holiday weekend. One- and two-person kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and a variety of accessories can also be rented at American River Rentals.<\/p>\n

\"A A man kayaks on a mid-90s summer day on the American River in Sacramento\u2019s Tiscornia Park on July 31, 2023. Sara Nevis Sacramento Bee file <\/p>\n

Renters must check in at the business\u2019s location in Rancho Cordova to confirm their rental, and for an extra fee, they can be shuttled back from the river landing point at the end of the day.<\/p>\n

Both launch points that American River Rentals services \u2014 at Sunrise in Rancho Cordova and Sailor Bar in Fair Oaks \u2014 will be open on Saturday and Sunday during Memorial Day weekend. Only the Sunrise launch will be serviced on Memorial Day Monday, according to the company\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

NorCal Extreme Rentals<\/p>\n

The Rocklin-based NorCal Extreme Rentals<\/a> offers motorized boats, kayaks, jet skis and paddleboards for single- or multi-day rental.<\/p>\n

As of Thursday afternoon, the company still had bookings available for all of its main offerings on each day of the holiday weekend. Stand-up paddleboards and single-seater kayaks start at $148.40 for a one-day rental, while motorized options are more expensive.<\/p>\n

NorCal Extreme\u2019s premiere offering is a 16-seater double-decker tri-toon boat with an attached waterslide coming off of the top level. This boat starts at $938.10 for a single-day rental.<\/p>\n

Most of the motorized boats and jet skis require renters to be age 25 and up or possess a California boater card<\/a>, according to NorCal Extreme\u2019s website. Tow-away and local delivery options are available for all the company\u2019s offerings, and same-day rentals may be available by calling the business at 916-501-6300<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lake activities<\/p>\n

If the river is too fast-paced, and you\u2019re looking for a more relaxing long weekend experience, the capital region has a number of lakes perfect for floating and boating.<\/p>\n

\"Alex Alex LoRussa, 18, and his golden retriever Kalani ride a paddle board for the first time at Folsom Lake on July 31, 2014. JOS\u00c9 LUIS VILLEGAS Sacramento Bee file Sacramento State Aquatics Center<\/p>\n

For an experience a bit separated from the area\u2019s largest crowds, the Sacramento State Aquatics Center<\/a> will be open at Lake Natoma in Gold River during Memorial Day weekend.<\/p>\n

Kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent at the lakefront aquatics center, priced at $15-$20 hourly for the general public, with discounts available for Sacramento State students, staff and alumni. Life jackets can be borrowed for the day at the aquatics center.<\/p>\n

Areas of the aquatics center\u2019s dedicated beach can be rented in multi-hour time blocks. Swimming is allowed from this portion of the center, but reservations are required.<\/p>\n

The aquatics center does not have a dedicated cafe or food vendor other than small snacks, but outdoor food and drink is allowed, except for alcohol. Adults above 18 must show a valid form of identification and leave their car keys team as collateral when renting equipment.<\/p>\n

Berryessa Water Sports<\/p>\n

In Napa County, Lake Berryessa is a popular choice for boaters and water sports enjoyers during holiday weekends.<\/p>\n

Berryessa Water Sports<\/a> has boats for rent fit for all activities on the water \u2014 from tubing and wake surfing to fishing to simply relaxing in the sun. According to its website, the company still has plentiful inventory throughout the Memorial Day weekend.<\/p>\n

Sporty and recreational boats cost $850 for six hours and $1,050 for eight hours on the weekend, while fishing boats go for $385 for four hours and $605 for eight hours during the weekend.<\/p>\n

Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also available for $40-$75 depending on model and time rented. Tubes and barbecues can be rented for an additional price, and pets are allowed on some boats, according to the company\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Camila Pedrosa<\/a><\/p>\n

The Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n

Camila Pedrosa is the California Diversions Reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She previously worked on The Bee\u2019s service journalism team and was a summer reporting intern for The Bee in 2024. She graduated from Arizona State University with a master\u2019s degree in mass communication.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Though Sacramento already saw scorching temperatures as early as March, the ceremonial start to summer is this weekend,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":328340,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[121,123,122],"class_list":["post-328339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sacramento","tag-sacramento","tag-sacramento-headlines","tag-sacramento-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=328339"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328339\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/328340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=328339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=328339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=328339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}