Santa Cruz Lakes

Lakes Close to Santa Cruz

Sometimes you should pack up and find a spot near the water. Lucky for you, when you make a trip to Santa Cruz you have lots of great spots when it comes to getting on, or in the water.

Whether you’re seeking to paddleboard, buzz around doing wakeboarding, go for a swim, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Santa Cruz offer you plentiful options for outdoor fun. Browse through the data below to see your options from small lakes to all sports lakes for you to enjoy.

Lakes Near Santa Cruz

Lake Activities

On a day trip to a lake near Santa Cruz you’ll find all kinds of things to do for people of all persuasions. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or decide to stay overnight to a hotel or AirBnB to enjoy yourself more fully.

Every getaway at the lake offers you a full range of activities from thrilling to chilling.

Partake in some delicious delights outside. Santa Cruz’s lakes offer all sorts of great picnic areas for you to pack up some culinary delights, or you could just do some cheese and crackers by the water. For a romantic evening, a picnic on the beach is hard to beat.

Catch some fish. For anglers, 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 out on a boat or standing on a dock with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other.

Get in the water. Finding a swimming lake near Santa Cruz will provide all kinds of fun and excitement for the big kids and little ones, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between getting that perfect golden tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a glorious public beach on a lake near Santa Cruz!

Lake Getaway Prep

A day at the lake can be very different depending on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, and what you want to do for entertainment. For your benefit, we took the time to make a list that will give some ideas for your watery excursion so you have everything you need!

General items

If the plan is to be in the sun for most of the weekend, the following list of items should be a good place to start for essentials to have on hand.

  • Bathing suits
  • USB charger
  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Sneakers
  • Dry shirt
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Bug spray
  • A cooler with water bottles
  • Towels and dry clothes

More lake stuff

The list of items below could be helpful for excursions to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. It’s also worth checking prior to hitting the road.

  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Your favorite magazine or book
  • Safety gear like life jackets
  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Bait
  • Fishing poles
  • Your tackle box
  • Corkscrew
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Games for the beach

Staying Safe on a Lake

While it’s easy to get lost in a fun day at a lake near Santa Cruz, failing to follow some simple safety rules can make things turn tragic in a hurry. These safety protocols should make sure that your whole group stays safe while around the lake.

  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves

More Santa Cruz Lake Tips

When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes near Santa Cruz, there are a few things that can make your itinerary far more successful. For example, each individual lake near Santa Cruz is going to have their own qualities and surroundings so it is important to take into account what you need to make an enjoyable trip as you plan yours.

  1. Pay attention to the beaches. Depending on the time of year, sometimes the beaches near Santa Cruz might be extremely busy. If you want some space to yourself, research multiple 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, search out the biggest, most happening sandy party scene!
  2. Make the most of unique assets in the area. When you have time for a longer stay, look for local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds that offer the ability to camp right on the water for a reasonable price.
  3. Find a marina. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or a wild day of wakeboarding. Using a search engine can typically allow you to locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.