San Luis Obispo Lakes

Lakes Around San Luis Obispo

Sometimes you just need to spend some time by the water. A lake vacation can be wonderful for people that enjoy the outdoors too, because they offer opportunities to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

Whether you’re seeking to paddleboard, buzz around doing water skiing, go swimming, or nap in the sand, the lakes near San Luis Obispo provide you with numerous beautiful locations for outdoor activities. Browse through the table below and have a look the options from small lakes to larger lakes for you to enjoy.

Nearby Lakes for San Luis Obispo

Lake Activities

On a day trip to a lake near San Luis Obispo there are many things to do for groups of all types. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or take a longer vacation to a hotel on the beach to make the most of your time unwinding.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you visit a lake near San Luis Obispo:

Go fishing. For those that love to fish, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re roaming the lake in a killer fishing boat or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Partake in some water sports. If you’ve got access to a speed 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, skiing, or tubing as the lakes near San Luis Obispo give you a number of options.

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If you like to paddle around, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake with a public launch and start paddling around to soak up nature’s beauty on the waterfront.

Lake Getaway Prep

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements based on the lake you’re heading to, what time of year it is, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. For your benefit, we took the time to make a list that will give some ideas for your next trip to a lake near San Luis Obispo so there’s nothing to stress over!

Lake basics

When you’re out on a lake near San Luis Obispo it makes a lot of sense to take many of the items below to make sure you’re feeling good, healthy, and having fun.

  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Sunblock
  • Towels
  • Food and snacks
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Dry shirt
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Bathing suits
  • Radio or speaker
  • Sunglasses

Specialty lake stuff

The following items might prove useful for getaways to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. It’s also worth checking prior to hitting the road.

  • Tackle box and lures
  • Goggles or masks
  • Fishing poles
  • Games for the beach
  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Books
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Bait

Lake Safety Tips

Of course spending a weekend on a lake in San Luis Obispo can provide tons of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. A day on the lake means safety first so here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions

More San Luis Obispo Lake Tips

When you make a trip to the one of a kind lakes around San Luis Obispo, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that might make your trip plan much more rewarding. Case in point, each individual lake near San Luis Obispo has their own environment so it’s important to consider what will make for an unforgettable getaway as you plan yours.

  1. Pay attention to the beaches. Depending on the time of year, occasionally the beaches near San Luis Obispo may be packed with beachgoers. To find some more space to spread out, do some digging on multiple nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the biggest, most popular beach!
  2. Make the most of unique assets in the area. When there’s time for a lengthier 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 for a reasonable price.
  3. 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 relaxing day of fishing or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Asking a local can usually help you find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.