Lakes in Los Angeles: Lakeside Getaway Ideas

Lakes in Los Angeles? Yes, we have some. Below I show you the best spots to visit!

I think we all can agree that Los Angeles has a lot to offer to residents and visitors.

After all, the mere geographical size of the city, county, and region (over 34,000 square miles) is enough to keep a human being busy for years.

I mean, there is barely enough time to visit the popular spots in Downtown, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and dozens of other neighborhoods. Then you have dozens of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. And, let’s not forget about the nearby mountains and beaches.

But, what about a lake retreat? Los Angeles has those as well!

In this article, I am sharing information about the most popular lakes in Los Angeles.

Please note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link. Of course, this comes at no extra cost to you and helps me to keep offering solid information to readers.

Table of Contents

Lakes in Los Angeles

Before we start digging in, let me make sure we are on the same page.

When I am talking about “Lakes in Los Angeles,” I am referring to lakes in Los Angeles County. I am including the distance between the recommendations and Downtown Los Angeles as a reference.

Besides, the lakes featured here are suitable for many activities. While some are good for fishing and swimming, others are the walking, picnicking, meeting spot kind.

Santa Fe Reservoir

The 70-acre Santa Fe Reservoir is located in the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale. The Recreation Area has a multitude of amenities. I believe many residents of LA County are not aware of what a gem this place is.

Programs at the Santa Fe Dam Nature Centre include nature and bird walks, insect identification, Tongva cultural history, and other special events.

Swimming activities are limited to the summer months.

Distance from Los Angeles: 20 miles, half an hour drive
Activities: Group camping, fishing, picnicking, bike riding, boating, birdwatching, golfing, hiking, sailing, horseback riding, and swimming. The San Gabriel River Bike Trail, a 38-mile trail, passes through the recreation area.
Boating: Only electric motors are allowed
Fishing: Rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, crappie, largemouth, and carp. You will need a California fishing license.
Operating Hours: Winter hours are 6:30 am-6 pm, Summer hours are 6:30 am-8 pm
Where to eat: Pitas To Go, Farmer Boys, Siam Casa Thai Cuisine, and Sans Chinese Restaurant.
Amenities: Accessible Campsites, Campfire Center, Picnic Areas, Restrooms, Boat Rentals, Volleyball Courts, Children’s Play Areas
Fee: The entrance fee is $12 per vehicle

Photo by Russ Allison Loar

Puddingstone Reservoir

Puddingstone Reservoir is located in Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. The park offers tons of amenities to visitors. Most come for the swimming, boating, and camping.

To make things better, Raging Waters (a water park), the Pomona Fairplex, the Auto Club Raceway, and different golf courses are located nearby.

Distance from Los Angeles: 28 miles, half an hour drive
Activities: Camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, bike riding, boating, bird watching, jet skiing, and windsurfing.
Boating: Two launch facilities for powerboats, rafts, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, jet skis, and paddleboards. The launching price depends on the vessel type.
Fishing; Trout, catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass, and carp
Operating Hours: Open every day from sunrise to sunset
Where to eat: Chase’s, Gus’s BBQ, Papas Best Sandwiches, Butter Cafe, and Little Tokyo.
Amenities: Boat Rentals, Campsites, Fish Cleaning Station, Restrooms, Showers, Snack Bar, Swimming Area
Fee: The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle

Hollywood Reservoir

Hollywood Reservoir (or Lake Hollywood) is located in the Hollywood Hills within the Santa Monica Mountains. The lake, and its surroundings, are overlooked by the famous Hollywood Sign, one of Los Angeles’ main icons. This is a fantastic place to get active while enjoying the striking scenery.

The Reservoir is smack in the middle of Griffith Park (home to Griffith Observatory) and Runaway Canyon Park. Of course, the Reservoir is close to Hollywood Boulevard and its notorious attractions.

Distance from Los Angeles: 8 miles, 15 minutes drive
Activities: Picnicking, hiking, walking, jogging, running, and photo-taking (especially of the Hollywood Sign)
Operating Hours: Daily hours are 6:30 am-6 pm
Where to eat: Beachwood Café, Musso & Frank Grill, Luv2eat Thai Bistro, and Kota Ramen.
Amenities: A 3-mile, flat and paved trail surrounds the Reservoir. This trail is wheelchair accessible and kid-friendly. Picnic tables and playgrounds can be found in the area. It is not possible to get close to the water. Dogs are not allowed.
Fee: No fee

Silver Lake Reservoir

The Silver Lake Reservoir Complex is made of two concrete-covered basins, Ivanhoe and Silver Lake. These are separated by a spillway. There is a 2-mile paved trail around the reservoir and a recreation center offering sports, dance, fitness, and other programs.

Distance from Los Angeles: 5 miles, 15-minute drive
Activities: Walking, running, jogging, picnicking, and all sorts of activities in the recreational center. Eating and shopping in Sunset Boulevard and Silver Lake Boulevard is a must.
Operating Hours: Daily hours from sunrise to sunset
Where to eat: Silverlake Ramen, Night & Market Song, Botanica, Pine and Crane, and many, many more!
Amenities: Children’s Play Area, Indoor Gym, Picnic Tables, Sports Field, Street Parking, Restrooms, Silver Lake Meadows Park
Fee: No entrance fee

Echo Park Lake

Echo Park is a densely populated neighborhood that is centered on the lake with the same name. The park which is home to the lake has been recently reopened after months of improvements and renovations. Today, it has become a popular public space and hosts countless local events and festivals.

Distance from Los Angeles: 3 miles, 10 minutes drive
Activities: Picnicking, people watching, pedal boating, walking, running, jogging, and seasonal events. The park offers stunning views of Los Angeles’ skyline (making it a good sunset viewing spot).
Boating: Enjoy an upgraded fleet of swan-shaped pedal boats that can be rented out
Operating Hours: Official hours are 5:00 am to 10:30 pm
Where to eat: Mohawk Bend, Cosa Buona, Tacos Arizas, Leo’s Tacos, Monty’s Good Burger, and Honey Hi.
Amenities: Picnic Areas, Restrooms, Children’s Play Areas, Trails, Rentals
Fee: No entrance fee

Crystal Lake Recreational Area

Crystal Lake Recreational Area, located in the Angeles National Forest, is a great option for outdoor adventures. You will be able to enjoy the nice mountain air and camp surrounded by trees. The campground is about a mile away from the lake. Crystal Lake is one of the few natural lakes in LA.

If you are not planning to stay for the night, there are plenty of amenities to attract day users. For example, there are several trails and fishing opportunities in the area.

Distance from Los Angeles: 50 miles, about an hour drive
Activities: Camping, hiking, picnicking, bike riding, and horseback riding. Swimming is not allowed.
Boating: No motorized boats allowed on the lake
Fishing: Largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish
Operating Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Where to eat: The Crystal Lake Cafe caters to visitors necessities
Amenities: ADA Access, Picnic Tables, Firewood For Sale, Campsites (sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis), Restrooms (vault toilets), Cafe (with camping essentials for sale)
Fee: The entrance fee is $5 per vehicle for day use, $12 per campsite

Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake is a small body of water located in a canyon east of Wrightwood and is fed by snow runoff from the mountains. The lake is located on the eastern side of the Angeles National Forest.

It is common to see the lake frozen in the winter months and utilized by locals and visitors for fishing and other recreational activities during summers. Jackson Lake is surrounded by hundreds of miles of hiking trails in an absolutely lovely location.

Distance from Los Angeles: 84 miles, two-hour drive
Activities: Camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking, bike riding, canoeing, and swimming
Boating: Motorized boats are not allowed, only small launch boats and tubes for floating are allowed.
Fishing: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and a few bluegills
Operating Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Where to eat: We recommend you bring your own food since the lake is located in a particularly isolated location. In Wrightwood (7 miles away), you can eat at Mexico Lindo, Mile High Pizza, and Grizzly Cafe.
Amenities: Picnic Tables, Beach Area, Drinking Water, Toilets, Parking. The Mountain Oak and Lake Campgrounds are located about a quarter of a mile away. Pets are allowed. Fee: A pass is needed to park in the area

Photo by Rennett Stowe

Franklin Canyon Lake

Franklin Canyon Park is located on the eastern side of the Santa Monica Mountains. The park is included in the article since it has a 3-acre lake and pond. In addition, the park offers 5-miles of hiking trails, picnic grounds, a nature center, and other amenities.

If you take a look at the park on a map, you will notice it covers a long strip of land. If you want to enjoy the lake and pond, park in the upper part of the park. If you want to hike the Discovery or Hastain Trails, park on the lower part of the park (close to the Doheny Ranch Amphiteather).

Distance from Los Angeles: 16 miles, half an hour drive
Activities: Hiking, cycling, picnicking, and bird watching. The park offers great views of Los Angeles’ skyline.
Operating Hours: 6:30 am-6 pm
Where to eat: Granville, Asanebo, Firefly, Iroha Sushi, and The Six Chow House.
Amenities: Picnic Areas, Potable Water, Restrooms, ADA Access, Nature Center. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
Fee: No entrance fee

Castaic Lake

Castaic Lake is the largest state water project reservoir in Southern California. It is located in the northern part of Los Angeles County, close to Highway 5. With thousands of acres of parkland and open space habitat, Castaic Lake State Recreation Area offers an exciting, wide range of activities. This is a super fun place to visit with family and/or friends.

Distance from Los Angeles: 44 miles, One and half an hour drive
Activities: Camping, boating, water skiing, sailing, picnicking, horseback riding, wakeboarding, and hiking
Boating: There are two bodies of water within the Recreation Area. The Upper Lake is used for power boating, sailing, and jet skiing. The Lower Lake (sometimes refers to as “the lagoon) is used for non-powered boating.
Fishing: Bass, trout, catfish. You will need a California fishing license.
Operating Hours: Winter hours are 6:30 am-6 pm, Summer hours are 6:30 am-8 pm
Where to eat: Gallions Castaic Corner, Mike’s Diner, Wok’s Cookin, Casa Lupita, and WaBa Grill.
Operating Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Amenities: Accessible Campsites, Campfire Center, BBQ Grills, Drinking Water, Camp Store, Boat Rental, Equestrian Trails, Firewood For Sale, Picnic Tables, Showers, Restrooms
Fee: $12 for vehicle entry, annual passes are available, additional fees are charged for launching motorized and non-motorized vessels into the lake

Pyramid Lake

Pyramid Lake is a reservoir built on Piru Creek (near Castaic). It is a popular spot among nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who come here to enjoy the lake’s scenic beauty.

The lake gets its name from a pyramid-shaped rock shaped out by engineers. The lake offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Although swimming is allowed, it is prohibited outside designated areas.

Distance from Los Angeles: 60 miles, about an hour drive (depends on traffic)
Activities: Camping, boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, bike riding, wildlife viewing, hiking, jet-skiing, and wakeboarding.
Boating: Powerboats, canoes, kayaks, rafts, and rowboats are allowed
Fishing: Largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, crappie, and trout
Operating Hours: Winter hours are 6:30 am-6 pm, Summer hours are 6:30 am-8 pm
Where to eat: We recommend bringing your own food even though there is a store inside the recreational area. If you are looking for prepared dishes you can drive to Gorman or Castaic.
Amenities: Boat & Trailer Storage, Fresh Drinking Water, Flush Toilets, Restrooms, Accessible Campsites, Campfire Center Fee: $11 per vehicle, $13 for boat launching

Lakes Near Los Angeles

We have provided detailed information about the different lakes in Los Angeles. Here are additional recommendations. These lakes do not fall within the limits of Los Angeles County but are close enough to take into consideration.

Lake Piru

Lake Piru is a reservoir located in Los Padres National Forest (created by damming the Piru Creek, the same creek that forms Pyramid Lake). As with other reservoirs in the area, the surrounding space has been converted into a recreational area open to the public. A lot of people visit to rent a boat and spend the day on the water.

Distance from Los Angeles: 60 miles, one and a half an hour drive
Activities: Camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, horse riding, waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and sailing
Boating: Motorized and non-motorized vessels are allowed
Fishing: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, sunfish, and bluegill Operating Hours: Open every day from sunrise to sunset
Where to eat: We recommend bringing your own food. If you are looking for prepared dishes you can drive to Fillmore or Valencia.
Amenities: Accessible Campgrounds, Boat Rental, Equestrian Trails, Firewood For Sale, Wi-Fi, Picnic Tables, Grills, Gift Shop, Restrooms, Showers, Laundromat, RV Hookups, Basketball Courts, 9-hole Disc Gold Course
Fee: Entrance fee is $14 per vehicle, $3 for pets

Photo by Pintsmasher

Silverwood Lake

Silverwood Lake is a huge reservoir located in the San Bernardino Mountains. It draws eager crowds from the city, especially on summer weekends. One can swim, fish, hike, and enjoy aquatic sports. The scenery around the lakes is simply awe-inspiring.

Distance from Los Angeles: 73 miles, two-hour drive
Activities: Camping, boating, fishing, picnicking, bike riding, water-skiing, and swimming
Boating: There is a water ski area in the northern part of the lake. pontoons, aluminum boats, jet skis, kayaks, and pedal boats allowed Fishing: Catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie.
Operating Hours: Winter hours are 7:00 am – 7:00 pm, Summer hours are 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
Where to eat: The Grill at Antler’s Inn, Rosa Maria’s, In-N-Out Burger, Bill’s Village Coffee Shop, Silverwood Ranch House.
Amenities: Accessible Campsites, Camping Goods for Sale, Small Grocery Shop, Boat Rentals, Picnic Areas, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, RV Sanitation Station
Fee: The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle

Big Bear Lake

This is one of the most popular high-altitude (7,000 feet in the San Bernardino Forest) escapes for Angelenos and a popular favorite. We associate the area with snow and skiing.

Even though the winter connotation is strong, this resort is in business all year long and I prefer to visit when there is no snow in sight. Because, in all honesty, spring, summer, and fall are gorgeous seasons to visit.

This is a huge lake (man-made). There are tons of things to do and you will need several visits to get to know the area well. You can take a scenic drive around the lake, take a guided boat tour, hike, kayak, bike or chill out in a cabin.

This resort caters to the entire family since there are several activities to choose from.

Distance from Los Angeles: 96 miles
Activities: Boating, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, parasailing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, zip lining, helicopter tours, off-roading. During winter, you can ski and snow tube Boating: There are several marinas from which motorized and non-motorized can be launched. Boats and equipment can be rented from different businesses. Fishing: Several species of bass and trout, plus crappie, bluegill, catfish
Operating Hours: Vary per attraction. Check specific businesses for more info.
Where to eat: You can visit The Village. There is a wide array of restaurants serving dishes from different cuisines (American, Indian, Italian, Thai).
Amenities: Marinas, Restaurants, Campsites, Cabins, Aquatic Sports, Guided Tours, Hiking Trails, Bike Paths, Day Use Areas
Fee: Vary per attraction but there is plenty of free things to do

More Lakes Near Los Angeles

For even more information about lakes near Los Angeles, you should check my article about Lakes in Southern California. In there, you will find in-depth information about lakes in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Riverside, and San Diego counties.

What is more, you can take a look at my articles about Lakes in Northern California and Lakes for Camping in California.

Lake Gear

As I spend a lot of time near the water, I have my gear packed and ready to throw in the car. Here is an idea of what I take to the beach, lake or river.

Easy Set Up Beach Tent – This is essential since most lake beaches in California do not have shaded areas. >Check out this great tent option here
Big Portable Umbrella – Sometimes, we prefer to use an umbrella since we want to sit on a chair verse lying on the floor. Plus, I find it easier to adjust/move the umbrella to block the sun. >Buy a beach umbrella

Walking Shoes – Comfortable walking shoes are a must. My go-to brands are Clarks, Tevas, and Sketchers.
Flip Flops – Flip flops are a must on any beach trip. I am partial to the Tevas brand. >>Take a look at these beautiful flip flops
Water Sandals – If you want a more polished look, check out these leather-made salt water sandals.
Sweatshirt – A sweatshirt is a must to keep me warm during chilly mornings and nights. >Click to see this California appropriate option here
Sun Block – Do not leave the house (or the car) without applying sunblock. I repeat, always wear sunblock when outdoors. >Buy sunblock here
Lip Balm with Sunscreen – Protect your lips by applying a balm with sunscreen. >Get one of the best lip balms here
Wide Brim Hat – A wide brim hat is a great way to protect your scalp, face, and neck. The ones manufactured by FURTALK come with an anti-UV function. >Buy this amazing hat here
Sunglasses – These are another must when it comes to protecting from the sun. A polarized, sporty pair works better outdoors. >Take a look at this wonderful pair
Towels – This is the accessory I always forget about. WETCAT’s Turkish Towels take minimum space and dry fast. >Buy a Turkish towel here
Foldable Chairs – Portable chairs allow you to set camp at the beach, park, winery, and even a parking lot. A classic Coleman portable chair is a solid choice. >>Buy portable camping chair
Beach Blanket – For laying on the sand, a beach blanket is necessary. Good ones are waterproof, sandproof, and light. The blankets manufactured by Wekapo fit several adults and are durable. >Buy this nice beach blanket here
Soft Cooler Bag – A soft cooler bag with enough capacity is great for having drinks and some food items at hand. I love my CleverMade collapsible cooler bag. >Take a look at my cooler here
Water Bottle – Do not forget to bring water! Keep yours cold by taking a beautiful Hydro Flask water bottle. >Check out the insane options here
THERMOS Tumblers – I have been a fan of the THERMOS brand since I received a tumbler as a gift. The tumblers keep drinks hot for hours. >>Buy THERMOS insulated tumblers here
Dry Bag – Keep your valuables (and electronics) protected by bringing a dry bag. >These dry bag is awesome
Beach Bag or Large Tote – Carry all your gear on an amazing beach bag. Get one with tons of pockets (I love pockets). >>>Check out my beach bag top pick
Camera – I have never gotten used to taking pictures exclusively with my phone. I prefer to use the Sony Alpha a6000. It is compact and takes gorgeous pictures. >Buy Sony Camera here
Tripod – A compact tripod to take your photos and videos to a different level. >>Check out this popular option here
Portable Power Bank – It is a pain to keep phones charged on beach trips. Having a power bank is a lifesaver. The Anker portable charger can charge a phone 5 times. >Buy this incredible power bank here