Formerly known as Tahoe Boat Company, Tahoe City Marina in Placer County‘s High Sierra Region stands as one of Lake Tahoe’s oldest marinas, established in the 1940s by Norman Mayfield and Fred Mein. The marina maintains a dog-friendly policy, which means you can bring your dog along for a day on the water. If you have prior boat operating experience, you can rent from their fleet of open-bow powerboats and sleek pontoons to explore Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters at your own pace.

The marina’s location right in Tahoe City puts you in the heart of the lake’s action, with easy access to both the developed shoreline and quieter coves where you might want to anchor for lunch or a swim. The boats are well-maintained, and the staff can walk you through the specific vessel you’re renting before you head out. Bringing your dog on a boat requires some basic precautions—bring fresh water for drinking, consider a dog life jacket if your dog isn’t a strong swimmer, and watch for signs of overheating since they can’t cool down as easily as they do on land.

The rental process assumes you already know how to operate a boat, so they’re not running a training program here. You’ll want to be comfortable with throttle control, docking, and basic lake navigation. If you’re not confident in those skills but still want to get out on the water with your dog, you might ask about options when you call.

The lake itself can have rough patches depending on the day and wind conditions, so even experienced boaters should check conditions before heading out. Summer weekends get crowded, so arriving early gives you better pick of boats and a calmer departure window. Bring sunscreen and a hat—the sun reflects intensely off the water, and you’ll get burned faster than you expect.