Our Story
houseboats.com is comprised of Jones Valley Resort, Silverthorn Marina, Pizza and Pub and Sugarloaf Cottages Resort, on gorgeous Shasta Lake in Northern California.
JONES VALLEY RESORT was originally opened in 1960. It is on the Pit River Arm and offers the Titan 65’ houseboat, which features three decks and sleeps 22. The majority of the fleet is manufactured by Twin Anchors Marine in British Columbia. Jones Valley Resort has a strong guest-return base and long standing reputation for outstanding customer service. With approximately 50 houseboats (6 models), small boats including top of the line ski boats and personal watercraft (PWCs), Jones Valley Resort has everything the vacationing houseboater might need for a fun-filled week on the lake. The waterside pavilion offers billiards, ping-pong, foosball and a floating basketball court and is for the exclusive enjoyment of Jones Valley Resort guests. Guest services include a unique ‘vehicle-to-vessel’ delivery service via the SquadQuad. A sophisticated concrete dock system includes full service fuel station, with recently expanded year-round moorage slips and 1500 ft. floating retail store.
Families have enjoyed houseboats from this customer-service oriented establishments for well over two decades. It is a great vacation that gets the whole family together. Kids love sliding off the back of the boat on the water slide, plus swimming, water skiing, tubing and fishing. Adults additionally enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the lake, and the convenience of houseboat living. A boater’s license is not needed to drive a houseboat, so after an orientation and a little practice, the group can be cruising around the water in just a few hours. Those who want to get their feet wet with a smaller rental can choose from ski boats, personal watercraft, fishing boats, and patio boats.
SILVERTHORN RESORT began on August 1, 1853 with George Silverthorn who ran one of the first ferries in Northern California on the Pit River. George married Lucy, a Wintu Indian, and they had five children together. The Silverthorn name lives on with their descendants in the local area.
Since the time of George and Lucy Silverthorn, the area has undergone tremendous growth and change. Redding became the hub of the north state. Later, when the Shasta Dam was built, the resulting Shasta Lake became a major tourist attraction, drawing over 1 million visitors annually.
With over 375 miles of shoreline, an average depth of 400 feet, and 40,000 acres of surface water, Shasta Lake has quickly become a major houseboating and wakeboarding destination. The lake has hundreds of nooks, crannies, and coves creating secluded spots for all even on the busiest summer weekends.
Like most of Northern California, Silverthorn Resort has also grown and changed over the years—becoming one of the premier resorts on Shasta Lake. Silverthorn has some of the most luxurious boats on the lake such as the Queen houseboat with private staterooms, a hot tub, and three full decks of space.
Silverthorn Resort also has a marina with a fully-stocked grocery store, pro and apparel shop, fuel dock, private moorage, and a courtesy dock. For the less nautically inclined, we have cabins along the lake and a pizza pub with live music and the best views of the lake.
At Silverthorn, we know that you have a lot of choices for making summer memories - and we value the time that you choose to spend with us at Shasta Lake.
To learn more about houseboating opportunities available on Shasta Lake, visit www.houseboats.com or call 877-4Shasta.
