California
Northern California has most of the lakes that are open for seaplane operations. Lake Berryessa north of Napa and Clear Lake east of Ukiah are used often by seaplane pilots. Another great
seaplane recreation area is the Sacramento/San Joaquin River delta, which has several hundred miles of waterways that are suitable for seaplane operations. Lost isle on the San Joaquin River is a
great "out-of-the-way" recreational area. They have live entertainment in the summer months as well as food and drinks, lots of heavy boat traffic so check out your landing site carefully.
There are several lakes along the eastern side of the San Joaquin valley suitable for seaplane operations but once you get east of the Tehachapi Mountains or south of the Grapevine pass, landing
sites are few. Those available in southern California are the San Pedro outer harbor, south end of San Diego Bay, and the Colorado River system. Keep in mind that the National Park Service
prohibits taxiing under power into the marina of Lake Davis
With the above in mind, there are numerous places where seaplanes can operate and have a great time.
Significant bodies of water that are open include: Lake Tahoe, Lake Shasta, Trinity Lake and Clear Lake
Significant bodies of water that are closed include: Big Bear Lake
Clear Lake Splash In 2017
The Clear Lake Splash In is the largest seaplane event in California since 1979. September 14-17, 2017.
Note that you must have and Lake County Invasive Species Decal to attend the event with a seaplane, and in order to acquire this you must watch the video and take the test below on this page.
Import Note to All Seaplane Pilots Attending Clear Lake or Flying in Lake County Water
All watercraft launched in Lake County MUST display a current Lake County mussel sticker as proof of screening. This is in addition to the State DMV sticker that is proof of the State's mussel fee payment.
Watch this Invasive Species Training Video and Take the Test Below to Self Certify Your Compliance for Invasive Species Training
Take the test for the invasive species training video above by clicking the link to the immediate left and print out your education certificate to carry with you in your seaplane.
Note: Watching this video, passing the test and carrying the certificate of completion at the link to the left is a requirement before attending the Clear Lake Splash in your seaplane.
Seaplane Schools in California
Commercial Seaplane Operators
Report an Advocacy Issue or Event:
Have a seaplane advocacy issue or event in California? Please tell us about it below, so we can publish it and work the issue if needed.
California Field Director
California High Sierra/Lake Tahoe Region Field Director: Robert Lober
Email Robert: rlober59@gmail.com
Call Robert: 775-843-7908
California Field Director: Walter B. Windus
Email Walter: wwindus@msn.com
Call Walter: 408-255-1917
California Governor
Jerry Brown
State Capital, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-558-3160
California Senators
Senator Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3841 Fax: 202-228-3954
Senator Kamala Harris
40B Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3553
Congressional General Aviation Caucus
Members
House Members
Julia Brownley Democrat
1019 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5811 Fax: 202-225-1100
Ken Calvert Republican
2205 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-1986 Fax: 202-225-2004
Phone: 202-225-6131 Fax: 202-225-0819
Paul Cook Republican
1222 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5861
Phone: 202-225-3341
Jeff Denham Republican
1730 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4540 Fax: 202-225-3402
Duncan Hunter Republican
2429 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5672 Fax: 202-225-0235
Darrell Issa Republican
Phone: 202-225-3906 Fax: 202-225-3303
Zoe Lofgren Democrat
1401 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3072
Alan Lowenthal Democrat
515 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-7924 Fax: 202-225-7926
Tom McClintock Republican
434 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2511 Fax: 202-225-5444
Grace Napolitano Democrat
1610 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5256 Fax: 202-225-0027
Raul Ruiz Democrat
1319 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5330 Fax: 202-225-1238
Adam Schiff Democrat
2411 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4176 Fax: 202-225-5828
Brad Sherman Democrat
2242 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5911 Fax: 202-225-5879
Eric Swalwell Democrat
129 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5065
Mike Thompson Democrat
231 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3311 Fax: 202-225-4335
David Valadao Democrat
1004 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-4695 Fax: 202-225-3196
Juan Vargas Democrat
1605 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202--225-8045 Fax: 202-225-9073
