01
Best overall pick
Brandy Creek Beach at Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown Lake South Shore • Lively Family-Friendly Lake Beach • Best All-Around Beach Day
A broad sandy swim area with clear water, summer lifeguards, and an easy lakeside setup close to Ono.
Brandy Creek is the go-to Whiskeytown beach when you want the classic lake-day experience without a lot of logistics. The sand and gentle entry make it comfortable for kids, while nearby lawns, shade trees, and picnic tables give adults a place to spread out. Come early on hot weekends for parking and stay for golden-hour light on the surrounding hills.
02
Best for camping and swimming
Oak Bottom Beach at Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown Lake North Shore • Campground-Friendly Lakeside Cove • Best For Camping Weekends
A relaxed swim beach tucked beside the Oak Bottom campground and marina, ideal for lingering all weekend.
Oak Bottom Beach pairs a protected swimming area with the convenience of lakeside camping and boat rentals just up the shore. The beach itself is a mix of sand and small pebbles, with plenty of room to float, paddle, or simply wade in close to the shoreline. It is a smart choice if you want to launch in the morning, retreat to the shade midday, and wander back to the water at sunset without moving the car.
03
Quiet lakeside escape
East Beach at Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown Lake East Shore • Open, Low-Key Shoreline • Best For Space To Spread Out
A long, more open stretch of shoreline where it is easier to find breathing room even on busier summer days.
East Beach trades some of the bustle of Brandy Creek for bigger views and a more low-key atmosphere. The shoreline is broad and gently sloping, with enough space to set up a canopy, toss a frisbee, or park a kayak without feeling crowded. It is a good call for groups that want lake access but prefer a quieter scene and a bit more elbow room.
04
Best river option close to town
Anderson River Park Riverfront
Anderson On The Sacramento River • Shady Riverside Park With Small Beaches • Best For Picnics By The River
A tree-lined park on the Sacramento River with small gravelly beaches, current-cooled water, and plenty of facilities.
When the lake is windy, Anderson River Park gives you a calmer, greener alternative along the Sacramento River. Short paths lead from lawns and picnic areas down to shallow gravel bars where you can dip your feet, skip rocks, and watch rafters float by. The playgrounds, disc golf course, and shaded tables make it especially handy for mixed-age groups who do not want to spend the whole day in the water.
05
Best wild-feeling day trip
Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area Beach
Near Red Bluff Along The Sacramento River • Wide-Open River Gravel Bar • Best For A Natural, Uncrowded Feel
A broad riverside gravel bar with big-sky views and a more remote, wild character than parks closer to Redding.
Downstream of Ono, the Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area offers a wilder style of river beach where the main attractions are space and scenery. The open gravel bar here lets you spread out well away from the parking area, with shallow edges to wade and deeper channels to cool off in when flows allow. Bring your own shade, plenty of water, and a healthy respect for river currents, and you get a quiet, big-country alternative to the busier lakes.