Santa Ana Lakes

Lakes Around Santa Ana

The weather is warm so it’s time to start planning your upcoming family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Santa Ana. Fortunately, when you come to Santa Ana you have quite a few options when it comes to getting on, or in the water.

There are numerous brilliant arguments for making a trip to a lake in Santa Ana while it’s hot outside – the water is refreshing on hot days, fun summer entertainment like boating, fishing or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Browse through the table directly beneath this paragraph and see the nearby locations including small lakes with beaches to all sports lakes for you and the family to visit.

Lakes Near Santa Ana

Things to Do at the Lake

A quick excursion to a lake, or a longer getaway offers a nearly boundless amount of stuff for families, couples, or even those looking for some quality alone time.

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

Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If paddling is your thing, pack up your board of choice and find yourself a lake near Santa Ana that has a public boat launch you can use and get out and enjoy the scenery on the waterfront.

Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re roaming the lake in a killer fishing boat or fishing from shore.

Get a little crazy with the water sports. If you’re able to get access to a fast boat, why not get out on the water and start flying around the water showing off your water sports talents? Take the family out for some wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the lakes near Santa Ana give you all kinds of choices.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

A day at the lake can be very different depending on the lake you’re heading to, what the weather is going to be, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. While every trip is its own animal, we took the time to make a list that will give some ideas for your lake getaway to ensure nothing gets forgotten!

The basics

If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for the vast majority of the weekend, our list of provisions below is an excellent place to start for essentials you are likely to need.

  • Proper footwear
  • Bathing suits
  • UV protection
  • Towels
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Portable phone charger
  • Beach blanket
  • Dry shirt
  • A cooler and drinks
  • Radio or speaker

Additional lake stuff

Consider the itinerary for the day and your guests, the following items might also prove useful and worth a quick spot check before you get on the road.

  • Hand sanitizers or moist towelettes
  • Goggles or masks
  • Fishing poles
  • Wine key
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Books
  • Tackle box
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Toys for the beach

Lake Safety Checklist

Of course your getaway to the lake can be tons of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. When you decide to spend a day at the lake here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Don’t swim alone
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Keep your distance from wildlife

More Ideas for Lake Fun

If you’re going to visit the beautiful lakes around Santa Ana, you’ll want to remember a couple critical items that will make your trip plan far more successful. As an example, each lake near Santa Ana has their own features which makes it important to consider what will make for an unforgettable adventure when planning yours.

  1. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas where you can rent a boat. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a day of watersports. Doing a quick Google search can usually allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
  2. Make the most of the best local resources. If there’s time for a lengthier trip, find local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds which give you the option to camp right on the water at an affordable price.
  3. Research your beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the beaches near Santa Ana could be really busy. If you want more space to yourself, do some digging on a variety of lakes and beaches to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the busiest, most happening sandy party scene!