5 Best Lakes In Oakland, California

1. Lake Merritt

There are many reasons to visit Oakland, one of which is to enjoy its bustling and diverse downtown area. Another is to enjoy its green spaces and lakes, in particular, Lake Merritt, which is massively popular with both locals and out-of-town visitors. The well-maintained shores of Lake Merritt always have members of the local community partaking in a variety of activities. These include fun pastimes such as barbecuing, bird watching, bowling, dog walking, jogging, running, photography, and yoga, to name a few.

But it doesn’t end there, since the Lake Merritt Boating Center, Lake Merritt Rowing Club, and Oakland Women’s Rowing Club make it possible for interested parties to enjoy a boating or kayaking experience in the lake. Furthermore, there’s an e-scooter service so that visitors can quickly zip around the periphery of the lake. Finally, there’s a modern and safe playground area to keep the little ones occupied and entertained. Do keep in mind that a permit is required if you’re visiting the lake with 25 people or more, and if you’re bringing alcoholic beverages with you.

Lake Merritt

Address: Lake Merritt, Downtown Oakland, California, USA

Website: Lake Merritt

Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)

Price: 2 - 15 USD (Parking Fees)

2. Lake Temescal

Conveniently located next to highway junctions 13 and 24, Lake Temescal opened its doors to the public in 1936 and it quickly became a popular spot for those seeking fun-filled biking, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and swimming experiences. Moreover, many of the areas, barbecues, drinking fountains, and pathways around the lake have been made wheelchair accessible.

One thing that you’ll immediately notice when visiting the lake is the attractive stone-built Temescal Beach House. Situated by the lake’s north entrance, the building is used as an indoor and outdoor facility for weddings and other functions. It can accommodate up to 130 guests and it features an audiovisual system, a fireplace, and WiFi access, making it quite versatile for various events. Temescal also boasts plenty of gorgeous fauna and flora, so consult one of the local guides to show you the park’s loveliest wild plants.

Lake Temescal

Address: Oakland, California, USA

Website: Lake Temescal

Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)

Price: 4 - 25 USD (Parking Fees)

Nearby Lakes

3. Lake Chabot

Construction work on Lake Chabot started way back in 1874 and it became the main source of water for the entire East Bay. But from the 1960s, this lake was opened to the public for recreational purposes. And we’re happy that this was the outcome as Lake Chabot is truly a splendid natural attraction that you need to check out. It’s a fairly sizable lake that’s approximately 315 acres (127 ha) and ideally suited for fishing due to all the piers located around its periphery. If you visit the lake during spring, you’ll have an opportunity to take part in the annual spring fishing derby.

There are biking, hiking, and running trails around the lake, which you can negotiate if you’re feeling energetic. Alternatively, you can bring the family along for a picnic, as there are plenty of picnicking spots, play areas, and horseshoe pits available in the area. Lake Chabot Regional Park also boasts an 18-hole golf course where you can show off your golfing skills. But do note that swimming is not permitted, and visitors should have no contact with the water so that it remains clean.

Lake Chabot

Address: Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA

Website: Lake Chabot

Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)

Price: 4 - 25 USD (Parking Fees)

4. Lake Anza

Now, if you’re a swimmer, you may prefer an alternative to Lake Chabot. A reasonably good option is Lake Anza, which is situated next to Tilden Regional Park. Here, you’re permitted to swim, but you’ll have to look out for the water quality designations. These indicators resemble stoplights and denote the following: red light indicates that the beach is closed and no water contact is permitted, a yellow light indicates that the beach is open, but bacteria levels are above safety standards, and a green light indicates that the bacteria levels are within safety standards.

If you’re lucky enough to enjoy a swim, then head over to the park to enjoy a stroll through the botanical gardens. You can also enjoy a game of golf at the Tilden Park Golf Course. And if you’d prefer to do a bit of hiking, try negotiating the trails around the lake. Please note that dogs are not allowed anywhere near the swim facilities.

Lake Anza

Address: Contra Costa County, California, USA

Website: Lake Anza

Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)

5. Upper San Leandro Reservoir

If you’re heading to Alameda County, then you’ll want to pop by the Upper San Leandro Reservoir, which is an artificial lake that’s filled with earth and covered with grass. Thus, you won’t be able to do any boating, fishing, and swimming here. But fret not, as the area is a hiker’s paradise as there’s an excellent trail that runs for approximately 46 kilometers (29 miles).

Upper San Leandro Reservoir is a challenging hiking and running trail that consists of a series of trails. These include King’s Canyon Loop Trail, MacDonald Trail, Ramage Peak Trail, Redtail Trail, and Rocky Ridge Trail. Some of these trails go through grazing pastures, so hikers should be mindful of the cows found in this area. Also, due to local legislation, hikers will need to purchase a permit before embarking on their hiking trip.

Upper San Leandro Reservoir

Address: San Leandro Creek, Moraga, California, USA

Website: Upper San Leandro Reservoir

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 3 USD (Per day for trail permit)

Gorgeous lakes for swimmers and hikers

Oakland’s Lake Merritt is the first port of call for many visitors due to its convenient central location. But swimmers and picnickers may prefer the more intimate Lake Temescal, and hikers will love negotiating the challenging trail in the Upper San Leandro Reservoir.