Santa Clara Lakes

Lakes Near Santa Clara

Sometimes you just need to pack up and find a spot on the water. Fortunately, when you make a trip to Santa Clara you have quite a few options when it comes to getting on, or in the water.

There are many brilliant motivations to visit a lake in Santa Clara this summer – the water is refreshing on hot days, relaxing summer entertainment like paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. Some of the lakes in Santa Clara have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Take a look at the table below and have a look your options including swimming lakes with beaches to larger lakes for you and the family to enjoy.

Lakes Near Santa Clara

Lake Activities

When you visit a lake near Santa Clara there are many activities that can be enjoyed by families and couples. You could go for an exciting day trip or decide to stay overnight at a hotel on the beach to make the most of your time unwinding.

Here are some of our top picks for activities when you arrive at a lake near Santa Clara:

Water sports. If you’ve got access to a ski boat, why not get out on the water and start kicking up a wake showing off your water sports expertise? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding, skiing, or tubing as the local lakes offer you several choices.

Grab a board. If you like to paddle around, load up your preferred vessel and chart your course to a lake with a boat launch and start paddling around to enjoy the scenery in all it’s glory.

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.

Lake Getaway Prep

Your plan for a lake getaway can be drastically different when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the weather forecast, and your plan of attack. For your convenience we’ve put together a list of popular lake and beach-related necessities that you can use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.

Common lake items

If the plan is to be in the sun for the majority of the day, our list of provisions below should be an excellent starting point for essentials to have on hand.

  • Bug spray
  • A cooler with water
  • USB charger
  • Radio or speaker
  • Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
  • Dry shirt
  • Sunblock
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Towels
  • Sneakers

More lake gear

Consider the itinerary when at the water and your guests, the items below might also prove useful and adding to your checklist before you get on the road.

  • Tackle box
  • Games for the beach
  • Bait
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Books
  • Fishing gear
  • Life jackets
  • Swimming goggles
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Wine key

Lake Safety Checklist

While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Santa Clara, it’s important that you remember to keep safety top of mind. Here are some general tips that should ensure that everyone remains safe while around the lake.

  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Always wear sunblock

More Ideas for Lake Fun

Few people get the opportunity to visit the lakes near Santa Clara and likely have a lot of questions about how to make the most of their time there. Obviously, no matter where you go each lake is going to have unique qualities and trappings, but here are a couple key points to review when planning which could help start your trip on the right foot.

  1. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Santa Clara might be packed with tourists. If you want some more space to spread out, research a variety of nearby beaches and lakes to see if you can find one that’s less crowded if you want a more relaxing vibe. To get in on the party, then look for the biggest, most happening sandy party scene!
  2. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine will usually allow you to locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.
  3. Make the most of the best assets in the area. When there’s time for a longer getaway, look for local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to camp directly on the water without breaking the bank.