Lakes Around Visalia
When the weather is right you just need to gather your family and friends and make time to be by the water. Fortunately, when you make a trip to Visalia you have some great spots when it comes to spending time on the lake.
There are countless brilliant reasons to visit a lake in Visalia while it’s hot outside – the water is refreshing on hot days, fun summer activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. Some of the lakes in Visalia have beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day. Don’t you deserve an enjoyable getaway? Pack up the car with sunscreen and a picnic basket then make the trip your next day off to find your own number one location on a lake!
Lakes Near Visalia
Things to Do at the Lake
When you visit a lake near Visalia you’ll find all kinds of 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 on the beach to make the most of your time unwinding.
Any stay at the lake offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.
Canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. If you like to paddle around, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and chart your course to a lake near Visalia that has a boat launch and get out and enjoy the scenery in all it’s glory.
Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near Visalia offer tons of fun and excitement for the youngsters, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between working on their 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! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a glorious public beach!
Have a picnic. Visalia’s lakes provide a wealth of top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some culinary delights, or a quick snack as you enjoy the view. Should you be with someone you want to impress, good food and a view is hard to beat.
Lake Checklist
A lake day itinerary can be drastically different depending on the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the weather forecast, and what you want to do while you’re there. However, we’ve put together a list of our favorite lake and beach-related items for you to use as a checklist to make sure you cover your bases.
General items
If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for the majority of the day, the following list of items is an excellent place to start for essentials to have on hand.
- A fully stocked cooler
- Bug spray
- USB charger
- Portable stereo
- Bathing suits
- Sweatshirt and sweatpants
- Plastic grocery bags (for trash and/or wet clothes)
- Bottle opener
- Eye protection, a hat, or both
- Travel dinnerware and cups
Additional lake stuff
The gear in the list below could be helpful for getaways to the lake depending on what you’ll be doing. You may want to double check for some of these so you’re not missing something critical.
- Pool noodles, rafts, floats
- Baby gear (if necessary)
- Legal flotation devices
- Bait
- Your favorite magazine or book
- Swimming goggles
- Fishing gear
- Paper towels and sanitizer
- Wine key
- Fishing and boating licenses
Lake Safety Checklist
Of course a day to the lake should 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 important safety tips.
- Make sure no one swims alone
- Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
- Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
- Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
- Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
- Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
- Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
More Visalia Lake Tips
Few people get the opportunity to visit the amazing lakes around Visalia and might have some questions regarding planning. Obviously, each lake near Visalia is going to have their own character and surroundings, but here are a couple key points to look into while making plans which could help put together a trip your whole family will remember.
- Make the most of unique local resources. When you have time for a longer trip, find local state parks and recreation areas that offer the option to camp in a spot that is right on top of the water without breaking the bank.
- Rent a boat. Many lakes 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 relaxing day of fishing or a day of watersports. Asking a local will typically allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
- Do homework on the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes beaches could be really busy. To find some space to yourself, do some digging on a variety of lakes in the area 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, then look for the busiest, most happening beach!