This Town Has Floating Cabins You Can Stay In

If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping on a floating cabin nestled on a quiet island near the Northern California river delta (and who hasn’t had that dream), New Life Marina can make those visions a reality.

Northern California has its fair share of small surf towns, hiking trails through sprawling redwoods and sailing adventures on one of the many picturesque bays. But only a short drive from the Bay Area, the slightly secluded Bethel Island is unlike anywhere else in the state. Tucked away on the island’s waterfront, New Life Marina offers guests an experience like no other – a chance to stay in one of their cabins where you can sleep while floating on the river delta.

A quiet, serene place in the heart of the California Delta, Bethel Island is seemingly a world away from bustling nearby San Francisco. The entire landmass spans approximately 3,500 acres, which measures to less than six square miles (15.5 square kilometers). Located on the northwestern side of Bethel Island, in an area called Taylor Slough, New Life Marina is an ideal place to get some rest on the water after a day of fishing, jet-skiing or grilling out.

The interior of the floating cabins features a small TV, a kitchenette and bunk beds in a style that will make you nostalgic for summer camp. The cabin’s private deck is a perfect place to watch the sunrise, drink some coffee and hop directly into a kayak for a day of adventure.

Many guests enjoy golfing nearby, renting a jet-ski or exploring nature on the island. New Life also offers seven cabins on land for those who like the waterfront but prefer to stay on solid ground. Each of the floating cabins sleeps four, and the land cabins sleep up to seven people, making the marina a great overnight stop for a California family road trip between national parks.

New Life Marina

Lodge, Cabin, Short-term Rental

Lodging at New Life Marina on Bethel Island includes seven waterfront cabins and three floating cabins.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.