01
Best overall pick
Clear Lake State Park Swim Beach
Kelseyville On Clear Lake's Southwest Shore • Classic Lakefront Swim Beach • Local Favorite For All-Day Hangs
A broad, sheltered swim beach with easy lake access, shaded picnic spots, and plenty of room to spread out.
This is the spot locals send friends to when they want a full, low-stress lake day. The roped-off swimming area, nearby restrooms, and flat shoreline make it comfortable for kids, while paddlers can launch kayaks and SUPs just down the shore. Arrive earlier on hot weekends if you want one of the shaded picnic tables close to the sand.
02
Best for picnics and paddling
Lakeside County Park
Between Kelseyville And Lakeport On Clear Lake • Grassy Lakeside Park With Small Beach Areas • Great For Casual Meetups
A mellow community park with pocket-sized beaches, big lawns, and calm water that’s ideal for kayaks and canoes.
Lakeside County Park feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a destination resort beach, which is exactly its charm. Families set up under the trees while kids wander between the small sandy entries and the playgrounds. Bring folding chairs, a cooler, and your paddle craft if you want an easy launch without the crowds.
03
Best in-town beach
Austin Park & Beach
City Of Clearlake Waterfront • In-Town Swim Beach And Recreation Park • Best For Families And Convenience
A rebuilt lakefront park with a compact sand beach, playgrounds, and walkable access to Clearlake’s services.
If you want a swim and some sand without leaving town amenities behind, Austin Park is the easy choice. The beach is smaller than at the state park but pairs nicely with the nearby play structures, open lawns, and food options just up the street. It’s a good call for mixed groups where some people want to swim and others are happier people-watching from a shady bench.
04
Best for sunset strolls
Library Park Waterfront
Downtown Lakeport Waterfront • Lakeside Park With Piers And Small Swim Entries • Great For Evening Walks And Views
A lively main-street waterfront with docks, lawns, and a few small spots to slip into the water on calm days.
Library Park is more about atmosphere than all-day beach lounging, but it’s hard to beat the setting. Stroll the lakeside path, watch boats come and go from the piers, and use the little shoreline nooks for a refreshing wade or quick dip. It pairs perfectly with a meal or ice cream in downtown Lakeport, especially around sunset when the light across the lake turns golden.
05
Best day-trip escape
Oak Shores Day Use Area, Lake Berryessa
Butts Canyon Road Toward Lake Berryessa • Open Reservoir Shoreline With Coves And Oak Shade • Best For A Change Of Scenery
A Napa County day-use area with rocky-sand coves, clear water, and a more open, wild-feeling shoreline than Clear Lake.
When you want to mix things up from the usual Clear Lake routine, Oak Shores at Lake Berryessa makes a rewarding detour. The shoreline here shifts between small pebbly beaches and rock shelves, so water shoes are handy, but the payoff is cooler-feeling, clear water and wide-open views. Pick a cove, set up under the oaks, and treat it as a mellow, out-of-town beach day still within easy reach of Middletown.