Bathrooms: Yes Cost: All day – $12 per car, per day Be aware of local regulations in terms of bringing dogs along and always clean up after yourselves before heading home. Silverwood Lake is known for being one of the most beautiful lakes in the Inland Empire, and it’s great for boating, fishing, and water skiing. A 5-mile hike, round trip, will connect you to the flowing waterfall of Cedar Creek with a crystal clear pool at its base. No list of swimming holes would be complete without listing one of the most popular destinations in our backyard. Brandy Creek Beach, Oak Bottom Beach, East Beach, and more areas provide places to swim, occasionally rope swing, or bring the boat out. Cost: Free Some of the top spots are Sunset Beach and a secret spot off Redwood Drive if you can find it! It's a great place for swimming and picnicking, but this location is busy most of the time so if you're a low-key beach goer - be aware! The trail is clearly marked. The solution? Parking: Parking lot Note that in the 2020 season, many of the lakes below are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking of the Golden State’s mid-region, Pismo State Beach and Monterey State Beach are coastal gems. Still, for the swimming inclined, park at The Pines Resort and enjoy the public beach out back. The boating, hiking, bird watching and fishing is amongst the best there is in California. Shasta Lake is the largest reservoir in California at 30,000 acres wide. Bathrooms: Yes Russian River. Parking: on-site Situated under a canopy of sycamore trees, this peaceful watering hole is the perfect place to cool off after enjoying the hiking trails with the family. Here's our guide to lakes where you can take your dog. Castaic Lake, located about an hour north of Los Angeles, is a trophy hunting lake. Considering this is the biggest lake in California, Sacramento River undoubtedly tops this list. Perhaps nowhere else in the U.S. are freshwater swimming holes more desired than in Southern California, and for good reason. Still, for the family that wants to a little taste of theme park in their lake excursion, this is the place for you. Northern California has some of the most beautiful campsites in the country, but the summer heat can make campers lose their cool. Expect crowds, though, because this favorite swimming lake draws them on hot summer days for boating, swimming, and its gargantuan picnic area. The lake is two and a half times as salty as the ocean, so you'll be extra buoyant - it's impossible to sink! If you're hiking in summer, be sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen, as it can get hot. Families looking to escape the heat (or fog) make the short trip into the Berkeley Hills for supervised swimming and the sandy beach. Malibu Creek Rock Pool, photo by James OBrien II/Flickr, 10 Waterfall Hikes Every LA Family Should Know, Hidden Gem Beaches: LA's Secret Seaside Spots that Only Locals Know, 9 Best Florida Beach Vacation Destinations for Families, Battleship Iowa: Open for Self-Guided Outdoor Tours. Parking: 1.3 miles hike from swimming hole Likewise for Limekiln and Andrew Molera. Note: There have been issues with some toxic algae over the years, so be sure to check that the beach is open before you pack up the whole family. A short drive from Yosemite National Park, Bass Lake is teeming with activities for the fam. Best fishing. Swimming in wild places is as much an excellent summer activity as it is proof of the covenant between man and nature. This 70-acre lake is perfect for the family that wants to pull up, unpack, and hit the water. The 'lake' is a man-made pool in Tilden Park perfect for swimming and lounging under a sun shade. If you have a boat, bring it along, because you can motor it right up to the swimming area and take a dip. Did you know that there are some wonderful swimming lakes within spitting distance of LA? Find swimming holes and lakes in California where you can all cool off. The lower Russian River has a gentle current and beaches where you can set up your towel for the day. But be warned, with separate fees for most of the activities, it's not cheap. In order to reach it, you first have to hike around the Pinecrest lake for a mile and then the trail takes you farther into the rolling hills for three more miles. California is paradise for dogs who like swimming, with dog-friendly lakes up and down the state. Swimming within the buoyed area is monitored by lifeguards daily in the summer months and on weekends only in fall and spring. Practice your favorite swimming stroke in California's Pyramid Lake, located in the Angeles and Los Padres National Forests. Bathrooms: No Make sure you keep your head above water as the salt can seriously sting your eyes. And unlike some other SoCal swimming lakes, this beach is open all week from July through Labor Day. It's free! The best swimming hole in East Bay, Lake Anza is located in the hills behind Berkeley. As of July 14, 2020, swimming is permitted at Bass Lake. The land of 10,000 lakes is perhaps the country’s best spot for a lake vacation. 2. While the water is often cold, few things compare with the feeling of drying off in the summer sun after a swim in a high-altitude lake. As of July 14, 2020, Aztec Falls remains closed. Distance: 250 miles from Hollywood The faint of heart need to stay away from the waterfalls at this location, which has some of the best swimming holes in Northern California. Check out our branch locations and vehicles and live JUCY! As of July 14, 2020, swimming is permitted at Hume Lake. Distance: 82 miles from Hollywood Lake Gregory is where you go to mix all the fun of a raucous water park with the natural beauty lake life. As of July 14, 2020, although the park is open, the rock pool remains closed to the public. One of the top concentrations of the state’s lakes is in Voyageurs National Park. Parking: A dozen spots, or street parking at entrance to 5-mile hike Escape the summer heat at Cleo's Bath in Stanislaus National Forest. Situated in the midst of Tahoe National Forest, Mushroom Hole (fs.usda.gov/tahoe) lies near the Middle Yuba River. Bathrooms: Yes California’s beaches are not limited to the Ocean – head up to the Sierras for many lakes, many of which are very lightly visited. The shallow water heats up in summer, so while interesting, this isn't the most refreshing place to swim in California. The Garden of Eden is an idyllic slice of paradise found in the Henry Cowell Redwoods just off Route 9. If you find yourself hanging out North of San Fran, definitely give this sweet swimming spot a go! Pack a picnic and a good book because you'll want to stay here for a few hours! With a variety of beaches to choose from, chances are you’ll be able to find a stretch of sand to call your own. Distance: 161 miles from Hollywood The water in the McCloud River is clear, deep, but quite cold. But wait—there's more! Bathrooms: Yes Whether you want to take a dip in a secluded swimming hole, or join the masses at a lavish lake resort, here are some of the best spots to take a swim out in nature. and scenery around. The natural pool is deep and cool, and there is even a waterfall to splash under! This swimming hole is stunning - no wonder it's called Garden of Eden! Bring fishing poles and surfboards. We've rounded up a list of 10 best swimming spots that are calling your name. 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