Sacramento Lakes

Lakes Close to Sacramento

It’s summertime so it’s time to pack up and head out for your upcoming family vacation. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Sacramento. A lake getaway is perfect for people who love wildlife too, as they are a great way to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

Whether you’re looking to float in a tube with a book, get active with wakeboarding, go for a swim, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Sacramento offer you lots of opportunities for outdoor fun. Browse through the data directly beneath this paragraph to see the nearby locations from small lakes to all sports lakes for you to enjoy.

Lakes Close to Sacramento

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

On a day trip to a lake near Sacramento there are many things to do for families, couples, or with a group of friends. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or decide to stay overnight to a hotel on the beach to make the most of your time unwinding.

Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you make your way to a Sacramento lake:

Partake in some water sports. If you’re able to get access to a ski boat, you might want to have some fun and make a day of zipping around the lake demonstrating your athleticism and water sports expertise? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding or knee boarding as the lakes near Sacramento provide you with several choices.

Start paddling. If paddling is your thing, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake that has a public boat launch you can use and get out and soak up nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Catch some fish. For anglers, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re out on a boat or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

How to Prepare for a Day at the Lake

Your plan for a lake getaway can vary quite a bit depending on the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the time of year, the weather, and your plan of attack. To make things easier we’ve built out a short list of some of the most common lake and beach-related items that you can use as a checklist for your getaway.

Common lake items

When the plan is to be outdoors for the vast majority of the day, our list of provisions below is a good place to start when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • Something to eat
  • Bathing suits
  • Towels
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • Bug spray
  • Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Tennis shoes
  • USB charger
  • Backup clothes

Additional lake items

The gear in the list below could be helpful for getaways to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check for some of these so you’re not missing something critical.

  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Life jackets
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Wine key
  • Books
  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Your tackle box
  • Swimming goggles
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)

Lake Safety

While the water can provide fun during a day on the lake, safety should be top of mind. These safety tips should make sure that you and your family remains safe at your favorite Sacramento lake.

  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat

More Sacramento Lake Tips

Few people get the opportunity to visit the lakes near Sacramento and likely have a few questions regarding planning. Of course, each lake near Sacramento will possess unique qualities and surroundings, but it’s worth noting a handful of items to review while making plans that might help start your trip on the right foot.

  1. Maximize the best assets in the area. If you have time for a longer trip, find local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds which give you the ability to stay near or even on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy fishing with family and friends or a wild day of wakeboarding. Asking a local can typically allow you to locate a marina that has what you need.
  3. Research your beaches. Early, mid, or late season, occasionally beaches can get extremely crowded. If you want some more peace and quiet, do some digging on multiple lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the busiest, most popular beach!