01
Closest to Lodoga
East Park Reservoir
North Of Lodoga In Colusa County • Wide, Low-Key Lakeside Beach • Closest Full-Service Beach To Lodoga
The local standby for a sandy shoreline, easy water access, and classic reservoir views just minutes from Lodoga.
Pull into one of the day-use areas around East Park Reservoir and you will find compact stretches of sand and gravel where locals spread out camp chairs between dips. The water warms up nicely by midsummer, and coves feel sheltered enough for casual swimming or paddleboarding. Go early on hot weekends for calmer water and the best shady spots up by the bank.
02
Best for a mini day trip
Stony Gorge Reservoir
Near Elk Creek In The Western Foothills • Rugged Reservoir Cove With Swim Area • Best For Adventurous Swimmers
A scenic, rock-framed reservoir with small beach pockets that feel more like a hidden swimming hole than a manicured park.
Stony Gorge sits just over the hills from Lodoga, with steep, tan slopes dropping down to clear green water. Look for the established recreation areas, where you can step from the parking area onto shoreline that mixes sand, pebbles, and flat rock ledges. It is a good choice if you like to alternate swimming with exploring the shoreline by foot or kayak rather than sitting on a formal city beach.
03
Best family pick
Austin Park & Beach
Lakeshore Drive Waterfront In Clearlake • In-Town Family Swim Beach And Lawn • Best For Kids And Casual Swimmers
A groomed Clear Lake beach backed by playgrounds and lawns, ideal when you want sand plus easy amenities.
Once you drop into Clearlake, Austin Park is the obvious place to aim if you have kids or mixed-ability swimmers in the group. The shoreline here is more maintained than the reservoir coves near Lodoga, with a defined beach area, grassy lawns for shade breaks, and nearby food options along Lakeshore Drive. It makes a relaxed, low-effort beach day where you can split time between the water, the playground, and a picnic under the trees.
04
Best picnic-friendly beach
Lakeside County Park
Between Kelseyville And Lakeport On Clear Lake • Shaded Picnic Beach On A Quiet Shoreline • Best For Relaxed Picnics By The Water
A mellow slice of Clear Lake shoreline with small beach areas, big shade trees, and a laid-back, local feel.
Lakeside County Park is less about a long strip of sand and more about tucking into a shaded table with the lake right in front of you. Small beach inlets and gentle water make it easy to wade in or launch a kayak while the rest of the group hangs back at the picnic area. It is a good match for slower-paced days when you want space, scenery, and a quieter crowd than the in-town Clearlake parks.
05
Best sunset stroll
Library Park
Downtown Lakeport Lakefront • Community Park Beach With Long Promenade • Best For Evening Strolls And Sunset Views
A central Lakeport park with a small beach feel, long lakefront path, and wide-open views across Clear Lake to Mt. Konocti.
Library Park is where Lakeport meets the water, so you get a mix of grassy lawn, short stretches of shoreline, and a pier rather than a remote, backroad beach. It is an easy place to cool your feet in the lake, then wander the promenade or grab something to eat a block or two up Main Street. Time your visit for late afternoon and you are likely to catch some of the best light on the lake as the sun drops behind the Coast Range.