Stationed at Fort Irwin or visiting the High Desert and craving sand and water? These lake and ocean beaches make it easy to trade tank trails for towels, with cool mountain air or sea breezes only a scenic drive away. Whether you want a quick day trip with the kids or a full weekend escape, these are the spots locals talk about.
Family-friendly grassy park and sandy swim beach on the south shore of Big Bear Lake.
Located in Meadow Park, this is Big Bear’s main designated swim area, with a roped-off section, seasonal lifeguards, and mountain views. Grassy lawns, picnic tables, and nearby playgrounds make it easy to spend the whole afternoon. Go early on summer weekends to find parking close to the sand.
A series of swim-friendly coves and shoreline spots wrapped around a blue mountain reservoir.
Silverwood’s coves and swim beaches feel surprisingly green for the High Desert, with pine-dotted hillsides dropping right to the water. You get roomy picnic areas, shade, and shoreline that works for both swimming and casting a line. Afternoons can get breezy, so many locals time their dip for late morning.
Compact sandy lake beach with a playful, resort-like vibe in the pines above the desert.
Lake Gregory’s swim beach feels like a compact resort, with a sandy shoreline, rentals, and seasonal inflatables just off the sand. The pine forest backdrop keeps things cooler than the valley, and the small size makes it easy to keep an eye on kids. It does get busy on summer weekends, so weekday visits are more relaxed.
A rare patch of trees, grass, and water in the Victorville area with a modest place to get your feet wet.
Mojave Narrows sits along the Mojave River, offering rare trees, grass, and water just down the road from I-15. The small lakeside swim area and shady picnic spots make it a practical, low-effort escape from post or Barstow. Pair a short swim with a walk around the ponds to spot birds and get a real break from the desert landscape.
Big, sandy Pacific shoreline with a pier, steady waves, and room for everyone to spread out.
Huntington City Beach delivers the full Southern California checklist: a long pier, volleyball courts, surf breaks, and classic boardwalk snacks. It is a longer drive from Fort Irwin, but many locals make a day of it, arriving early and staying through sunset. The wide sand and consistent waves mean everyone in the group can find their spot, from sunbathers to surfers.