SeeCalifornia.com

It’s hard to imagine California without boats. For instance, the Port of Los Angeles is one of the world’s busiest seaports and leading gateway for international trade in North America. It has ranked as the number one container port in the U.S. since the year 2000. The Port of Los Angeles and neighboring Port of Long Beach comprise the San Pedro Bay port complex, which handles more containers per ship call than any other port complex in the world. When these and other ports face service issues, the economy suffers.

In addition to the use of harbors and ports for shipping of everything from cars to clothes, they also are crucial to the U.S. military operations. I live near the  Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, which exists to provide weapons storage, loading, maintenance, and assessment support to ships of the United States Pacific Fleet.

Many of California’s ports offer boat tours, and those who love to travel on cruise ships see them when they head for the seas on vacations to Mexico, Alaska, and around the world.

One of the most interesting places in California reliant on boats for travel is Catalina Island. Each month the City of Avalon posts statistics on the number of moorings, passenger arrivals by cruise ships and by boat services from the mainland. The city council grapples with issues such as number of permits for cruise ship landings in attempts to maintain quality of life for residents and island visitors.

To say that boating in California is big would be an understatement. From the 1,000 miles of coastline to some 3,000 or more lakes and the popular Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta where great fishing and boating takes place, the State of California is a paradise for those who’d rather be traveling on the water.

California Boating Shows & Events are gearing up for a fantastic year. Several of the biggest sports shows this March include Fred Hall Shows in Long Beach, Bakersfield and San Diego. But don’t overlook the Sacramento Boat Show at Cal Expo!