01
Best overall pick
Honker Cove Beach, Lake Davis
North Of Portola On Lake Davis • Relaxed Sierra Reservoir Beach • Best Overall Lake Day
A sheltered cove on Lake Davis with easy access, gentle shoreline, and classic Portola-area lake views.
Honker Cove sits just a short drive up the hill from Portola, making it the go-to choice when you want water without a long haul. There’s room to spread out along the compact beach, with nearby pines offering pockets of shade and a mellow, low-key atmosphere. Bring chairs, a picnic, and a paddle board and you’ve got an easy full-day outing.
02
Best for wide-open water
Frenchman Lake Recreation Area
Near Chilcoot, Northeast Of Portola • Open, Breezy Reservoir Shore • Best For Boating And Big-Sky Views
A larger, wind-kissed lake with multiple shoreline spots that feel made for launching boats, casting a line, and cooling off.
Frenchman Lake’s broad, open basin gives it a different feel from the more tucked-in Sierra lakes closer to town. You’ll find several small beachy stretches and coves along the shore, with enough space to combine swimming, shore fishing, and launching kayaks or small boats. Afternoons can be breezy, so mornings are ideal if you’re after calmer water and a quieter vibe.
03
Most classic beach feel
Sandy Point Beach, Bucks Lake
Southwest Of Quincy At Bucks Lake • Pine-Framed Mountain Beach • Best For Families Who Want It All
A broad, gently sloping sandy stretch on Bucks Lake that feels like a mountain-town version of a traditional beach day.
Sandy Point lives up to its name, with a true sand shoreline that’s ideal for kids, coolers, and an all-day hangout. The water stays relatively shallow near shore, so it’s easy for younger swimmers to splash while adults relax on the beach or under the trees behind it. It’s a bit more of a drive from Portola, but the combination of scenery, space, and swim-friendly shoreline makes it worth planning around.
04
Best for long summer days
Lake Almanor Recreation Area
Near Canyondam On Lake Almanor • Expansive Lakeside Shoreline • Great For Swimming, Paddling, And Sunset Views
A large, versatile lakeshore with swim spots, grassy picnic areas, and big views across Lake Almanor to the surrounding mountains.
Lake Almanor’s recreation area offers more of a ‘big lake’ experience, with enough shoreline to find your own corner even on busy weekends. Small beachy sections and designated swim areas make it easy to get in the water, while nearby lawns and picnic tables invite lingering into the evening. If you time it right, staying for sunset over the lake can be just as memorable as the swim itself.
05
Best high-country escape
Gold Lake Day Use Area
Lakes Basin Recreation Area, South Of Graeagle • Alpine Cove With Granite Views • Best For A Scenic, Cooler Retreat
A compact, scenic lakeside spot where you can slip into clear water surrounded by granite peaks and dense forest.
Perched higher in the Lakes Basin, Gold Lake’s day use area feels noticeably cooler and more alpine than the lower reservoirs around Portola. The shoreline here is a mix of small sandy and pebbly stretches with easy walk-in access for swimming and launching small craft. It’s a great choice for a full-day outing that combines a dip in the lake with short hikes or scenic drives to other nearby lakes.