Discover 6 Stunning Lakes in California That Have Sandy Beaches

Who says you’re limited to sandy ocean beaches in California? Some of the best beaches in the Golden State are freshwater beaches on rivers and lakes with fantastic sandy coasts. Follow along to discover 6 stunning lakes in California that have sandy beaches. Who knows, maybe you’ll start planning a trip to visit one or all!

Shasta Lake

Starting our list of stunning lakes in California that have sandy beaches is Shasta Lake. It’s sometimes also called Lake Shasta or the Shasta Lake Reservoir. This lovely lake is in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Shasta Lake is about 35 miles long and has an impressive maximum depth of 517 feet. You can swim, fish and enjoy the lake’s 365 miles of shoreline. The surface area of this large reservoir is 30,000 acres. Shasta Lake is a man-made lake. It was created in 1948 with the construction of the Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River.

Silverwood Lake

Another wonderful lake with freshwater sandy beaches in California is Silverwood Lake. This beautiful lake is in San Bernardino County, California. It’s surrounded by the stunning San Bernardino Mountains. This lake is also man-made and was formed in 1971. Silverwood Lake sits at an elevation of 3,355 feet. Although swimming is a popular activity in the lake, there is still a lot more to do. While visiting the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy clean and clear hiking trails. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through this area. This trail is 2,650 miles long and connects Canada to Mexico.

Pyramid Lake

The third amazing lake in California with sandy beaches is Pyramid Lake. On Pyramid Lake is Vaquero Beach, a popular swimming spot in the state. Pyramid Lake, like most of the lakes on our list, is man-made. It was formed by a dam in 1973. Pyramid Lake has a surface area of 1,360 acres. The lake is about 700 feet deep and has 2.1 miles of shoreline to enjoy nice walks, swimming, and fishing. Fishing is a very popular activity on this lake. the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks Pyramid Lake with rainbow trout frequently. Other fish you can find within this lake are bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. Not only can you swim and fish, but also hike, kayak, and paddle board. Depending on the season, rentals are available.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a very popular lake in California. This well-known lake borders California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is a beautiful and ancient lake over 2 million years old. It’s also one of the deepest lakes in the world with a maximum depth of 1,645 feet. Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, and has a surface area of 191 square miles. Interestingly, there is only one island in Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island. 

Lake Tahoe is a popular place to swim during summer. However, be warned that the water temperature is cold. Not only can you swim, but also kayak and canoe. Around Lake Tahoe are also countless winter ski resorts, restaurants, casinos, and businesses. It’s a popular tourist destination during winter and summer.

Huntington Lake

The next lake on our list is Huntington Lake. It’s a man-made reservoir first constructed in 1912. Huntington Lake is in Fresno County, California on Big Creek, a tributary of the San Joaquin River. This lovely lake is a very popular tourist attraction. Visitors flock to the lake during summer to swim, kayak, fish, and enjoy the scenic views. This lovely lake has a surface area of 1,441 acres and sits at an elevation of 6,955 feet. It’s also 5 miles long. One of the most popular outdoor activities on the lake is sailing. When fishing, anglers have a chance of reeling in kokanee salmon, brown trout, and rainbow trout.

Folsom Lake

Last but not least is Folsom Lake in the Placer, El Dorado, and Sacramento Counties. This lake has a surface area of 11,500 acres. The lake was formed by the Folsom Dam in 1955 for flood control on the American River. The Folsom Dam is 340 feet tall and 1,400 feet wide. Folsom Lake is a widely visited lake in California. Here you can swim in designated areas including Granite Bay. Hiking, biking, camping, and horseback riding are other popular activities here. While hiking you may encounter animals like coyotes, black bears, gray foxes, mountain lions, and black-tailed deer.