01
Best overall pick
Brandy Creek Beach
Whiskeytown Lake, West Of Redding • Lively Lake Beach With Mountain Views • Classic Swim Spot With Something For Everyone
A broad sandy swim beach with clear water, shade, and services makes Brandy Creek the go-to “beach day” choice for many locals.
Brandy Creek Beach feels the most like a traditional beach day, with a roped-off swim area, gentle entry, and plenty of room to spread out blankets. Tall pines and lawns offer pockets of shade, and nearby restrooms, picnic tables, and a seasonal snack setup keep it easy for families and casual swimmers. It does get busy on hot weekends, but the views across Whiskeytown’s blue water toward the surrounding hills are hard to beat.
02
Best for laid-back afternoons
East Beach
Whiskeytown Lake, East Shore • Wide, Relaxed Shoreline With A Low-Key Vibe • Great For Spreading Out With A Group
East Beach offers a long arc of shoreline where it’s easy to find space for chairs, coolers, and a full afternoon of swimming and paddling.
Set on the quieter side of Whiskeytown, East Beach is ideal if you prefer a little more elbow room and a more relaxed feel than the main hubs. The shoreline is broad, with a mix of sand and small gravel, and the water stays shallow enough near shore for kids to splash comfortably. It’s a solid choice for groups who want to launch kayaks or paddleboards while others just lounge by the water.
03
Best for camping and swimming together
Oak Bottom Beach
Whiskeytown Lake, North Shore • Rustic Lakeside Beach Near Campgrounds • Perfect Base Camp For Weekend Getaways
Oak Bottom pairs a compact swim beach with lakeside camping and a marina, making it a convenient all-in-one summer base.
Tucked next to Oak Bottom Campground, this small beach gives you easy walk-down access to the lake between meals, hikes, and time around the fire ring. The shoreline is more pebbly than sandy, but the tradeoff is a mellow, woodsy setting and quick access to boat rentals and the marina. If you’re planning a weekend escape from Round Mountain, Oak Bottom lets you park the car and keep the lake within a few steps all trip long.
04
Best combo with a waterfall hike
Lake Britton Beach
Mcarthur-Burney Falls State Park, Near Burney • Quiet Reservoir Beach In A Pine Forest Setting • Best For Cooling Off After Exploring Burney Falls
A small swim beach on Lake Britton gives you a calm place to float and relax after hiking to the famous Burney Falls nearby.
Within McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, Lake Britton’s swim area trades waterfall roar for still water and open sky. The beach itself is modest but pleasant, with a roped-off swim zone and a soft, lakefront shoreline framed by pines. Many locals pair a morning walk to the falls with a picnic and swim here, turning the short drive from Round Mountain into a full, varied day outside.
05
Best full-day lake outing
Lake Siskiyou Beach
Lake Siskiyou, Near Mount Shasta City • Family-Friendly Mountain Lake Beach With Big Views • Best For A Classic Summer “Beach” In The Mountains
Lake Siskiyou’s designated beach area brings a true vacation vibe, with shallow swimming, a staffed day-use area, and views of Mount Shasta on clear days.
This is the spot to go when you want a full-on beach atmosphere without driving to the coast. A broad sandy stretch, roped swim area, and seasonal water features give kids plenty to do, while older swimmers can wade out for deeper water and better views. The backdrop of Mount Shasta and surrounding forest makes it feel like a proper getaway, even if you’re just day-tripping up from Round Mountain.