Best Bodies Of Water To Visit Near Orange County
(credit: Joseph Sohm/shutterstock)
Orange County borders on the Pacific Ocean with sand, surf, fishing and sunsets. What other bodies of water are near Orange County? Los Angeles and Riverside Counties have a number of lakes for spring and summer fun. If you like to fish, the lakes are stocked with trout, bass, catfish, and/or bluegill. Some lakes have boating access for water sports. Other lakes have beaches that will be open in the summer. Here are five lakes worth checking out.
Castaic Lake
32132 Castaic Lake Drive
Castaic, CA 91384
www.castaiclake.com
Castaic Lake is located just north of Santa Clarita along the Interstate 5 Freeway. It is run by the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. Castaic Lake is one of the largest water reservoirs in California, measuring 12,658 acres. The lake provides fresh water to local communities as well as recreational activities. The upper lake is open for boating and fishing. The Lower Lake features picnic areas, launching areas for kayaks, float tubes, and other non-gasoline boating. The facility also features many non-water activities like hiking, horseback riding, and camping. The Castaic Lake Swim Beach will be open Summer 2016
Santa Fe Dam
15501 East Arrow Highway
Irwindale, CA 91706
(626) 334-1065
www.parks.lacounty.gov
Santa Fe Dam is nestled at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in Irwindale. It is also home of the annual The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire. The lake measures 70 acres with recreational year-round fishing and non-motorized watercraft usage. A 5-acre chlorinated swim beach and unique Water Play area are open during the summer months. The Santa Fe Dam facility also has protected native plants and animals that reside there. The Nature Center is run by volunteers of the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy along with walking tours throughout the years.
Related: Best Surf Spots In Orange County
Legg Lake
750 S. Santa Anita Avenue
South El Monte, CA 91733
(626) 575-5526
www.parks.lacounty.gov
Legg Lake is located in South El Monte near the intersection of the 60 freeway and Rosemead Boulevard. The lake is managed by the Whitter Dam Recreation Area. There are picnic tables, softball fields and a bicycle trail that follows the lake edge. Fall through spring, the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. During the summertime, it’s stocked with catfish. There are also bass, crappie, and bluegill in the lake as well. For the animals, there are equestrian trails and dog sports field.
Lake Cahuilla
58075 Jefferson St.
La Qunita, CA 92253
(760) 564-4712
www.rivcoparks.org
Lake Cahuilla is located in La Quinta at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The lake is 135 acres with hiking, horseback trails, and 91 campsites nearby. The Annual Trout Fishing Derby starts the fishing season (fishing license required) when the lake is stocked with trout. There is also a free wi-fi station onsite. There are also open grass areas with barbeques and picnic tables for special events like family gatherings to corporate outings.
Lake Skinner
37701 Warren Rd.
Winchester, CA 92596
(951) 926-1541
www.rivcoparks.org
Located in Winchester with natural vistas, Lake Skinner offers camping, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, sailing and fishing activities. The lake has 1,400 surface acres of water and is supplied by the Colorado River Aqueduct. Fishing is the biggest attraction here with striped bass, largemouth bass, carp and bluegill year round. Catfish is added in the summer and trout in the winter. If you are an animal watcher, a variety of birds like heron, owls, and hawks along with rabbits, squirrels, and deer can be spotted. Each May, Lake Skinner hosts the nation’s largest solar boat program, MWD sponsored by Solar Cup. The Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival is also held here every June.
Related: Best Hiking Trails In Orange County
Chelsea Madren, also known as the OC Food Diva, is local food & travel critic in Orange County, CA. With a sense of adventurous, Chelsea scours the world for great food, breath-taking views, accommodations, and activities galore for the perfect getaway.
