Rancho Santa Margarita Lakes

Lakes Around Rancho Santa Margarita

Sometimes you just need to gather your family and friends and make time to be by the water. As it turns out, when you visit Rancho Santa Margarita there are some great spots when it comes to spending time on the lake.

It doesn’t matter if you’re itching to float in a tube with a book, buzz around doing wakeboarding, swim, or just lounge at the beach, the lakes near Rancho Santa Margarita provide you with numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. Browse through the data below and see the nearby locations from swimming lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Lakes Close to Rancho Santa Margarita

Lake Activities

A day trip, or a longer trip provides an almost limitless list of activities for families, couples, or even those seeking some quality alone time.

Here are some of our top picks for activities when you make your way to a lake near Rancho Santa Margarita:

Have a picnic. Rancho Santa Margarita’s lakes offer all sorts of great picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite portable delicacies, or a quick snack as you enjoy the view. If you’re with that special someone, good food and a view is hard to beat.

Go fishing. For those that love to fish, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re out on a boat or fishing from shore.

Get in the water. The swimming lakes near Rancho Santa Margarita provide all kinds of fun and excitement for the kids, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between getting that perfect golden tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area before you make the trip! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a beautiful public beach on a lake near Rancho Santa Margarita!

Checklist for a Day at the Lake

A day at the lake can be very different depending on the lake you’re heading to, what time of year it is, or if there are any activities planned. However, we took the time to make a list for some ideas for your next trip to a lake near Rancho Santa Margarita so there’s nothing to stress over!

Common lake items

When the plan is to be outdoors for most of the vacation, the following list of items is a good place to start when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • Radio or speaker
  • Sunblock
  • Something to dry off with
  • Portable phone charger
  • Garbage bags
  • A beach blanket and umbrella
  • A cooler with water bottles
  • Proper footwear
  • Insect repellant
  • Plates, cups and utensils

More lake items

The list of items below could be helpful for getaways to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. It’s also worth checking before heading out.

  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Pool noodles, rafts, floats
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Worms or other bait
  • Goggles or masks
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Something to read
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)

Staying Safe on a Lake

While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Rancho Santa Margarita, failing to follow some simple safety rules can make things turn tragic in a hurry. Here are some general tips that will ensure that your whole group stays safe on the water.

  • Always wear sunblock
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong

Some More Tips

When you make a trip to the beautiful lakes near Rancho Santa Margarita, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that might make your weekend gameplan far more successful. Case in point, every lake has unique qualities which makes it important to think about what will make for an enjoyable trip as you plan yours.

  1. Rent a boat. Many lakes have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine can usually help you find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
  2. Maximize the best assets in the area. When you have time for a longer trip, find local state parks and recreation areas that offer the option to stay in a spot that is right on top of the water without breaking the bank.
  3. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the beaches near Rancho Santa Margarita might be extremely busy. To find more space to spread out, do some digging on a variety of nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, then look for the biggest, most happening sandy party scene!