Oroville is a car-dependent town, and you will need a vehicle for almost everything. The city is spread out along Highway 70 and the roads leading to the lake, and distances between attractions are too large for comfortable walking. A car is essential for reaching Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, the dam overlook, Table Mountain, and the Feather River recreation sites.
Butte Regional Transit (B-Line) operates local bus routes, but schedules are infrequent and coverage is limited to the town center and a few outlying stops. It's adequate for getting around downtown but not practical for visiting the lake or natural attractions.
For the lake itself, boat rentals are available at Bidwell Marina and Lime Saddle Marina — everything from fishing boats and ski boats to full houseboats. If you plan to spend time on the water, reserving a houseboat in advance is strongly recommended for summer weekends.