Frequent visitors to Shasta Lake know that being on the water is the best way to experience the beautiful blue lake. Imagine waking up with the sunrise coming over the mountains while you’re on the lake, and being out on the water after the sun sets. When you’re on a houseboat, you can really maximize your time spent on the water. 

Houseboat rental places are plentiful in Shasta Lake. Shasta Lake has been called the “houseboating capital of the world”.

Summer is the most popular time to go houseboating. But even in cold months, you’ll find things to do on the lake. Fishing on Shasta Lake is best in the cold weather months. Since the lake is less crowded, fall and early spring are also great times for stargazing. Houseboats cannot typically be rented on Lake Shasta in winter.
Airbnb
Did you know you can rent a houseboat through Airbnb? We found this luxurious two-story party boat that can hold 16 people. It has a fireplace, a spacious kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and an eight person hot tub.
Shasta Lake is actually a 30,000 acre reservoir with several arms and inlets. In the summer the cool water is the perfect remedy for the scorching hot heat. Shasta Lake could easily compete for the bluest body of water in California. This houseboat on Airbnb has a large bar on the second floor, plus a comfortable seating area below deck.
Airbnb
One of the best things about a houseboat is you’ll be on the lake for 24 hours. Since many day visitors will leave around sunset, you’ll get to experience the lake in a different way. Watching the stars from the lake and taking a midnight swim are what vacation dreams are made of.
Some of the massive houseboats for rent are three levels and can hold nearly 30 people, so you definitely won’t be lacking space. There are enough things to do on Shasta Lake that everyone can easily stay busy. Swim in the water, jet ski, kayak, play a board game on deck, fish, or just drink wine and soak up the sun.
David Seibold/Flickr
There are some outdated houseboats, but keep in mind that many of the newer ones look like yachts on the inside, not old RVs. With top-notch amenities like fireplaces, wet bars, and hot tubs, some of these super houseboats feel similar to a luxury resort.

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Houseboat renters will get a how-to tutorial before operating the boat.
Ron Kroetz/Flickr
Most people find it easy to pilot a houseboat, but many of the rental places will take the boat out of the marina for you, which is the hardest part. The boats only go about 10 mph.
If you’re on a tight budget but still want to take a houseboat out on the lake, there are smaller boats and older models, too.
Wenli Li/Moment via Getty Images
Before getting onto the houseboat you’ll need to go grocery shopping to stock the refrigerator. Don’t worry about bringing kitchen supplies– most of the houseboats have fully stocked kitchens.
SRIMAN EMANY/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Other than cooking your own meals and filling up the tank, a houseboating trip is pretty low maintenance.

Have you ever been houseboating on Shasta Lake? Tell us about your experience in the comments.

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Shasta Lake, CA 96019, USA