Venice Beach Lakes

Lakes Near Venice Beach

The weather is warm so it’s time to pack up and head out for your upcoming big getaway. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Venice Beach. Fortunately, when you come to Venice Beach there are lots of great spots when it comes to getting on, or in the water.

There are numerous brilliant motivations for making a trip to a lake in Venice Beach this summer – the water is refreshing on hot days, fun summer activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Has there ever been a better time? Pack up the car with your beach goodies and a cooler then make the trip this weekend and discover your own number one spot on the water!

Nearby Lakes for Venice Beach

Lake Activities

When you visit a lake near Venice Beach there are many activities that can be enjoyed by families and couples. You could go for an exciting day trip or make it a long weekend to a hotel or AirBnB to enjoy yourself more fully.

Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you make your way to a Venice Beach lake:

Go for a swim. Finding a swimming lake near Venice Beach will offer all kinds of fun and excitement for the kids, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t offer as much to do as a beautiful public beach!

Pack a picnic basket. The lakes near Venice Beach provide all sorts of top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some foods, or just a couple of sandwiches to enjoy while enjoying the scenery. Should you be with someone you want to impress, this plan should put a smile on their face.

Start paddling. If you want a little physical activity, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and chart your course to a lake near Venice Beach with a public launch and get out and enjoy the scenery in all it’s glory.

Lake Getaway Prep

A lake day itinerary can vary quite a bit when you take into consideration the specific lake you’ll be visiting, when you decide to go, and your plan of attack. However, we’ve assembled a rundown of our favorite lake necessities that you can use as a checklist before you hit the road.

Lake basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for most of the day, the list below should be a good starting point for essentials that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Portable phone charger
  • Bottle opener
  • Cooler, ice, beverages (always remember water!)
  • Radio or speaker
  • Sunscreen
  • Dry shirt
  • Beach blanket
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Eye protection, a hat, or both
  • Food

Specialty lake items

Take into consideration the itinerary for the day and what your party looks like, the following items might also prove useful and adding to your checklist before you get on the road.

  • Bait
  • Tackle box
  • Wine key
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Swimming goggles
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Books
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.

Lake Safety Checklist

While spending a weekend on your favorite body of water can be tons of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. If you’re going to be out on the water these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Make sure no one swims alone
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over

More Tips for a Lake Getaway in Venice Beach

When you make a trip to the fabulous lakes near Venice Beach, there are a few things that will make your weekend gameplan much more rewarding. As an example, each individual lake has their own environment which makes it important to think about what you need to make an enjoyable getaway as you plan yours.

  1. Find a marina. Many lakes have nearby marinas where you can rent a boat. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Doing a quick Google search can typically allow you to find a marina that has what you need.
  2. Maximize the best local resources. If there’s time for a longer stay, look for local state parks and recreation areas which give you the option to camp in a spot that is right on top of the water without breaking the bank.
  3. Pay attention to the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes beaches can get very crowded. If you want some space to yourself, do some digging on multiple lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the busiest, most popular beach!