Nothing screams “summer season” greater than a day spent by the water. And Angelenos have some ways to entry it, together with an extended shoreline hugged by the Pacific, loads of swimming pools and refreshing swimming holes galore. However contemplate the native lake, an underrated possibility.
Not like the ocean, the lake is a relaxed physique of water. The one waves that exist there are created by passing boats. You’ll be able to float in primarily one place with out having to be anxious about being carried out to sea. And if, like me, you might have an irrational concern of sharks, lakes provide a swimming surroundings with few pure threats. A lake is among the chillest our bodies of water you will discover exterior your bathtub.
Rising up in Oklahoma, a few of my fondest summer season reminiscences are of me and my cousins clutching an interior tube related to the again of a ship as my uncle tugged us throughout a glistening lake, a pastime generally known as tubing. Maybe it was sentimentality that led me to surprise: The place can I swim in a lake in L.A. County? Fortunate for you, the reply lies beneath.
Right here you’ll discover a information on the best way to have an awesome day at the perfect lakes in L.A. County, whether or not you’d prefer to swim, kayak, fish or in any other case journey. Have a good time!
What to carry| Water high quality | A information to L.A. county lakes
What to carry to the lake in L.A. County
Earlier than we dive into the perfect L.A. County lakes to go to, let’s first discuss the best way to have an awesome day on the lake.
For a swim day, it’s lots like visiting the seaside — you’ll need to carry sunscreen, shade, chairs, towels and floaties. Like most L.A. County seashores, grilling will not be allowed on lake seashores. That mentioned, some park picnic areas — together with these a brief stroll from the lake — have barbecues, so grilling continues to be a risk in the event you don’t thoughts touring between the 2 spots.
It’s important to carry all of the meals, drinks and ice you’ll need for the day, as distributors have restricted menus and aren’t all the time open. Nonetheless, all of the lakes on this checklist are a brief drive from native eating places. So you’ll be able to both pack a picnic or seize meals close by.
Keep in mind to depart the booze and bud at residence. Alcohol and smoking should not allowed at any lake on this checklist.
Water high quality at L.A. County lakes
In recent times, lakes in L.A. County have been suffering from dangerous algal blooms that make their waters unsafe to swim in for each people and canine.
These blooms are sometimes the worst in the summertime when plentiful sunshine and hotter waters enable them to thrive, based on the State Water Assets Management Board. Typically, lake waters clear up within the winter, though Lake Elsinore in Riverside County and Lake Henshaw in San Diego County have traditionally had blooms all yr, regulators mentioned. L.A. County makes use of chlorinators at its three swimmable lakes (every of which is included beneath), which well being officers say helps cut back the danger of dangerous micro organism and blooms.
Earlier than visiting a lake, you’ll be able to test the state’s map the place dangerous algal blooms are tracked. State regulators use a three-tiered measurement system to gauge the presence of blooms in lakes.
The primary is a “warning” advisory, which signifies guests can swim however ought to steer clear of algae and scum within the water. The following degree is “warning,” the place swimming will not be allowed, and all fish caught from the lake should undergo particular preparation earlier than being consumed to stop sickness. The third degree is “hazard,” which, means not solely do you have to and your canine not swim on the lake in query, however you must also not eat something that comes out of it, or use its water in any method. Even boiling it gained’t make the water clear sufficient to make use of.
Lakes in L.A. County
L.A. County is residence to many lakes. However this checklist prioritizes our bodies of freshwater the place you’ll be able to swim, boat and fish, amongst many different actions. (That being mentioned, I allowed for one honorable point out of a lake the place you’ll be able to’t swim however can recognize its magnificence.)
This checklist, sadly, doesn’t embody Pyramid Lake as a result of its waters have been persistently suffering from harmful algal blooms season after season, yr after yr. State regulators suggested not swimming there this summer season.
That features canines. Canine are allowed to swim at Pyramid Lake. However you shouldn’t enable them close to its waters till the poisonous algal blooms are cleared up, since canine can develop into sick and die from ingesting tainted water.
Armed with that security info, I loved swimming in these lakes’ cool waters and stress-free on their sandy seashores. It was additionally good that, not like the lakes from my childhood, the underside of every lake’s swim space was clear — no dirty, slimy stuff lingering right here! I hope you make nice reminiscences on the areas beneath.
Puddingstone Lake
Puddingstone Lake is a 250-acre man-made lake in San Dimas’ Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, an 1,800-acre expanse the place you’ll be able to swim, bike, camp, fish, sail and extra.
The seaside space the place you’ll be able to swim is roped off from the remainder of the lake island. Floating there within the lake’s cool waters, you’ll be able to take heed to the sounds of kids enjoying and the sunshine splashes of devoted lap swimmers, and recognize the uniquely Southern California view of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north.
Whereas swimming, you may also discover planes coming to and from Brackett Area Airport, which sits on the northeast nook of the lake. (Due to its proximity to the airport, you aren’t allowed to fly kites, drones or mannequin airplanes there.)
Close to the swim seaside sits the park’s Picnic Valley, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from a leisurely meal with family and friends on the manicured grass, at a desk or beneath a pavilion.
The privately operated Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort and Campground affords tenting close by. For a enjoyable household weekend tour, you possibly can spend a day on the lake, camp after which head over the subsequent day to Raging Waters Los Angeles, which sits northwest of the lake and payments itself as California’s largest water park. Mountain Meadows Golf Course can also be close by, if you wish to get just a few holes in.
Fishing is allowed with a sound California fishing license for all anglers 16 and older. You simply should do it across the lake, exterior of its sand seashores, boat docks or inside 100 ft of any boat launch ramp. Catch limits embody 5 trout and 10 catfish.
Not like some our bodies of water on this checklist, the park surrounding Puddingstone Lake has many wonderful mountaineering alternatives inside its 14 miles of multiuse trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Close by Antonovich Path, a preferred trek for locals, meanders alongside a babbling Walnut Creek, shaded by fig, coast reside oak and eucalyptus bushes. It takes about 4 minutes to drive from the trailhead to the doorway of Bonelli park, the place you’ll be able to rapidly attain the swim seaside.
You too can discover the lake by kayak or paddleboard. You’ll be able to lease kayaks, pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards and bikes by the hour from Wheel Enjoyable Leases. (Simply be sure to do your analysis on pricing, hours and guidelines earlier than you go.)
Santa Fe Dam reservoir
Accomplished in 1949, the Santa Fe dam and reservoir is a 2,600-acre property created to handle the flood danger to cities alongside the San Gabriel River.
The U.S. Military Corps of Engineers oversees about 1,300 acres of it for, I don’t know, dam stuff? However the half related to this information, expensive reader, is the Santa Fe Dam Leisure Space. Its 836 acres embody a 70-acre man-made lake that’s open year-round for fishing and non-motorized watercraft resembling kayaks. Boats with small electrical motors are allowed so long as they don’t exceed 5 mph.
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Space
It’s best to achieve the swim seaside by parking in lot No. 3. Upon arrival, you may discover households lounging in hammocks, or picnicking at close by tables. From the swim space’s sandy seaside, you’ll be able to dip into its cool waters whereas gazing north on the clear views of a number of peaks within the San Gabriel Mountains, together with Mt. Baldy. The park has a brief nature stroll, however no prolonged mountaineering trails. The San Gabriel River Path, a 35.4-mile path, runs previous the dam.
If you wish to journey across the lake in model, lease a surrey bike, which Wheel Enjoyable Leases calls a “modern-day carriage.” The corporate rents a single, double and, sure, triple surrey bike (described by Wheel Enjoyable because the “undisputed limousine of bikes,” a label I can’t argue in opposition to). The mode of transportation is an particularly good alternative for fogeys to horrify their youngsters. However, don’t fear, the corporate additionally rents recumbent trikes, pedal boats and kayaks.
Fishing is allowed with a sound license. The lake is seasonally stocked with bass, rainbow trout and catfish.
The park is usually closed for particular occasions, so it may be useful to name forward. Additionally, take be aware that the annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire is held on the park in April and Could, making parking probably difficult.
Castaic Lake
The Castaic Lake State Recreation Space is a 12,658-acre wonderland about 45 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Constructed like an infinity pool for giants, Castaic Lake is separated into two our bodies of water by a 425-foot excessive dam. The principle, or higher, lake has nearly 30 miles of shoreline and is the place gas-powered boats zip alongside.
The decrease lake, which has about two miles of shoreline, is the place you’ll be able to swim. Kayaks are allowed in addition to boats with small electrical motors so long as they don’t exceed 5 mph.
Close to the swim seaside, there’s additionally a big inflatable water park with greater than 35 obstacles, in any other case generally known as Cali Splash Park. The park is open Thursdays by means of Sundays till Sept. 15.
Document-setting fish have been reeled in on Castaic Lake, together with a 21-pound, 12-ounce, largemouth bass caught in 1991. The higher lake is stocked seasonally with rainbow trout. Different fish within the lake embody channel catfish and smallmouth bass.
To catch your piscine prize, contemplate a chance not provided at another lake on this checklist: renting a 14-foot fishing boat both hourly or for the day. For bait, you’ll be able to go to Castaic Touchdown on 32839 Lake Hughes Highway. You too can lease kayaks or stand-up paddleboards from Cruise Castaic by means of Oct. 1.
Machado Lake
Though you can not swim in it, Machado Lake in Harbor Metropolis deserves an honorable point out.
The 45-acre Machado Lake is positioned inside Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, a 231-acre oasis northwest of Lengthy Seashore.
Machado Lake might be greatest recognized for being the earlier residence of Reggie, an alligator who was (illegally) relocated there when he outgrew his homeowners’ enclosures. As soon as noticed, Reggie rose to such a degree of celeb that Steve Irwin (RIP) as soon as mentioned he’d fly to L.A. to wrangle him. The elusive alligator lived within the lake for nearly two years, till his seize in Could 2007, when he was taken to the L.A. Zoo, the place you’ll be able to go to him and Tina, his feminine co-habitator, right now.
On the time of Reggie’s residence, Machado Lake was recognized for its rankness. It was polluted and stuffed with litter. However, in 2004, L.A. voters handed Proposition O, the town’s clear water bond, and accepted $500 million for initiatives, together with to wash up Machado Lake.
The lake was restored in recent times by means of dredging and including infrastructure that may higher help fish and wildlife. Officers mentioned the dredging eliminated all the invasive black snakes, typically noticed on heaps of trash on the lake, that had been believed to be deserted pets.
At this time, the park and lake are a birder’s paradise, as it’s residence to greater than 300 species of migratory birds. You may spot a peregrine falcon or different raptor, together with kestrels, which nest there. You may also see a inexperienced or nice blue heron, or a black-crowned night time heron.
Machado Lake and its surrounding park is a melting pot for each sort of L.A. resident, whether or not it’s grandparents arm-in-arm on a stroll, unhoused residents napping in peace, 20-somethings pretending to not smoke weed, dad and mom taking their kids fishing, or youngsters tossing round a soccer. Households and pals fish collectively on the lake’s banks and its fishing piers, casting poles by means of the California bulrush. Together with good shade from pine and different bushes, the park options a number of playgrounds, together with one with rope obstacles, and a number of other picnic tables and grills.
There are components of the stroll round Machado Lake that aren’t spectacular — together with a fence sporting razor wire and the refinery within the distance — however the park thrives regardless of that.