Marina 61, located in the historic Balboa Fun Zone waterfront in Orange County, offers a genuinely dog-friendly water experience that’s hard to beat. Newport Beach Boat Rentals operates from here with one of Newport Harbor‘s largest and most diversified rental fleets, so you’ve got real options beyond the standard small powerboat.

The location itself is great—right on the water with easy access to Newport Harbor, where you can spend a few hours cruising past the neighborhoods and yachts, or head out toward the open water. They welcome dogs on their boats, which honestly makes a difference since a lot of rental places don’t. You can rent anything from a small power boat to take out for a couple hours to something bigger if you want to spend half the day on the water. Paddleboarding is also available if you want something more active and your dog is up for it.

What makes this work is that the Balboa Fun Zone area itself is built for relaxation—there are arcades, restaurants, and shops along the waterfront, so if you need a break between outings you’re not stuck. The views of the Orange County coastline from the water are genuinely nice, not just a sales pitch. On a clear day you can see quite a bit of the coast, and Newport Harbor stays relatively calm compared to open ocean.

The main thing to know is that you’ll want to book ahead during weekends and summer, especially if you have a specific boat type in mind. Bring sunscreen and water for both you and your dog—there’s shade on some boats but not all. The docks can get crowded on nice days, so going on a weekday morning tends to be more relaxed if that works with your schedule.