San Clemente Lakes

Lakes Close to San Clemente

Every once in a while you just need to spend some time near the water. Fortunately, when you make a trip to San Clemente there are lots of great spots for getting on, or in the water.

There are many brilliant motivations for a getaway to a lake in San Clemente during the warmer months – the cool water for swimming, fun summer entertainment like paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Scan the table directly beneath this paragraph to have a look the options from swimming lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you to visit.

Lakes Near San Clemente

Lake Activities

A day trip to the lake, or a more lengthy getaway provides an almost limitless list of activities for families or couples.

Every getaway on or in the water gives you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near San Clemente offer all kinds of fun and excitement for the youngsters, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between getting that perfect golden tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on before you make the trip! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a magnificent public beach!

Water sports. If you’ve got access to a speed boat, why not get out on the water and start flying around the water showing off your water sports skills? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding or knee boarding as the local lakes give you several choices.

Have a picnic. The lakes near San Clemente offer all sorts of top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some culinary delights, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy as you enjoy the view. For a romantic evening, good food and a view should put a smile on their face.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements based on which lake you go to, what time of year it is, what your goals are for the getaway. While every trip is its own animal, we put together a list for some ideas for your next summer trip so there’s nothing to stress over!

The basics

When you’re out on a lake near San Clemente it makes a lot of sense to take many of the items below to make sure you’re feeling good, healthy, and enjoying your time.

  • Food
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • UV protection
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Bug spray
  • Towels
  • Plates, bowls, utensils, cups
  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • Bottle opener
  • A cooler with water

Specialty lake items

Take into consideration your planned activities at the lake and what your party looks like, the list of gear will likely be helpful and worth packing before hitting the road.

  • Life jackets
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Corkscrew
  • Worms or other bait
  • Kindle
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Swimming goggles
  • Inflatable pool toys

Lake Safety Checklist

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 while around the lake.

  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat

More Ideas for Lake Fun

If you’re going to visit the one of a kind lakes near San Clemente, there are a few things that will make your itinerary far more successful. Case in point, every individual lake near San Clemente has unique environment so it is important to consider what you need to make a memorable trip as you plan yours.

  1. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally the beaches near San Clemente may be swarmed with beachgoers. If you want a little more privacy, 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 sandy party scene!
  2. Rent a boat. Many lakes have local marinas where you can rent a boat. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a day of watersports. Asking a local can typically allow you to locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
  3. Maximize the best assets in the area. When you have time for a longer stay, look for local state parks and recreation areas that offer the option to stay right on the water at an affordable price.