Santa Barbara Lakes

Lakes Close to Santa Barbara

The weather is warm so it’s time to plan your next big getaway. There aren’t many better options than a lake near Santa Barbara. Fortunately, when you visit Santa Barbara you have quite a few great spots when it comes to spending time on the lake.

There are countless brilliant arguments to visit a lake in Santa Barbara while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, relaxing summer entertainment like boating, fishing or swimming. Some of the lakes in Santa Barbara have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. The time is now! Load up your vehicle with your fishing gear and a picnic basket then make the trip this weekend and discover a brand new number one spot on a lake!

Lakes Close to Santa Barbara

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

A day trip, or a more lengthy getaway provides an almost endless amount of stuff for couples or families.

Any stay at the lake gives you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Picnic time. Santa Barbara’s lakes provide a wealth of top-notch picnic areas partake in the enjoyment of your favorite foods, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy by the water. For a romantic evening, this plan should be suitably romantic.

Swimming. The swimming lakes near Santa Barbara offer tons of laughs and games for the kids, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active 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 doesn’t offer as much to do as a magnificent public beach on a lake near Santa Barbara!

Go fishing. For anglers, 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.

Lake Getaway Prep

Your plan for a lake getaway can be drastically different depending on which lake you’re going to, the season, and what you want to do while you’re there. To make things easier we’ve built out a short list of popular go-to items for you to use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.

The basics

If the plan is to be in the sun for the vast majority of the weekend, the following list of items is an excellent place to start for essentials you are likely to need.

  • A cooler with water
  • Sunscreen
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Food and snacks
  • Swimsuits
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Flip flops or water shoes
  • Bug spray
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Towels and dry clothes

More lake gear

Depending on what you’ll be doing at the lake and who will be in your entourage, the following items could make your day more enjoyable and worth packing before you make the trip.

  • Corkscrew
  • Fishing gear
  • Worms or other bait
  • Goggles or masks
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Books
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Life jackets
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Inflatable pool toys

Staying Safe on a Lake

Of course spending a weekend at the lake can provide tons of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. If you’re going to be out on the water here are some important safety tips.

  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Make sure no one swims alone

More Santa Barbara Lake Tips

Not everyone has had a chance to visit the lakes near Santa Barbara and might have a few questions about how to make the most of their time there. Certainly, any body of water is going to have unique qualities and surroundings, but here are a couple key points to look into while assembling your itinerary that might help start your trip on the right foot.

  1. Maximize unique local resources. When you have time for a lengthier trip, look for local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds that offer the option to stay directly on the water without breaking the bank.
  2. Pay attention to the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally beaches might be very busy. To find more space to spread out, research multiple 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 popular beach!
  3. Rent a boat. If you’re near the water you’ll often find local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or a wild day of wakeboarding. Doing a quick Google search can usually help you find several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.