Summer 2021 is right around the corner and one of the things we are most excited about is swimming!
Now of course this is LA so we have the all the incredible beaches but we also have some other awesome beautiful and natural spots you can go swimming at like lakes and swimming holes. Or even water parks like in San Dimas.
So lets take a healthy hike and find some of these gorgeous places as a reward, and yes you can bring your swim shorts!
Here are some of our favorite places to swim surrounded by beautiful trees, bushes, cliffs and even volcanic rocks. Plan ahead, bring a picnic, take a dip and make some memories this summer with 5 places to swim that don’t include the beach!
1 – Silverwood Lake
Description:
Silverwood Lake Swim Beach is a popular state recreation area in San Bernardino County. This part of the large lake/park has a small sandy beach where you can sun bathe or go for a swim. It can get busy in the Summer months as many families come for overnight camping in the area.
If you want to make a long day of it the swimming area is conveniently located near bathrooms and picnic areas located within a short walk.
This man-made reservoir has tons of fun activities including boating, fishing, waterskiing and if you want to be one of the overnight campers the camp grounds are now open but you will want to make reservations.
Location: 14651 Cedar Cir, Hesperia, CA 92345
Pic Credit: @ silverwoodlakesra
2 – Malibu Creek Rock Pool
Description:
This is a very popular hike for LA outdoor enthusiasts and you will find a busy trail that’s pretty good for all hiking skill levels including beginners.
Located very close to Calabasas the humongous State Park features the Century Lake Trails and of course the hike to the beautiful Rock Pool. On the trail you will encounter gorgeous scenery with tons of trees and bushes that provide some good shade, plus wild life like birds, toads and lizards. Super fun for families and people who love to be out in nature.
The rock pool is a beautiful sight and you can bring a picnic or take gorgeous pictures.
You can swim too but be sure to do further research on the water contamination and be aware that it can get very busy on weekends.
Location: Malibu Creek State Park, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
PIC Credit: @noy_barzilay
3 – Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park
Description:
Puddingstone Reservoir is a massive man-made lake in San Dimas that has 250 acres of shoreline where visitors can go boating, fishing and swimming. Enjoy the sandy beach, the sunshine and some fun family memories with a great time on this beautiful lake.
A few good tips to keep in mind. The swimming area part is located on the South Shore of the facility and open from Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Mid July through Labor Day weekend. There are also lifeguards in on duty during these times.
Dogs have to be on a leash at all times and you need to keep them away from the beach. This is a great spot and fun to visit the park year round but the swimming fun really begins in the Summer!
Location: 120 East Via Verde Dr. San Dimas, CA 91773
PIC Credit: @ brucechsu
4 – Big Bear Lake
Description:
We all love visiting the famous Big Bear Lake and while this beloved mountain town is great for all kinds of winter fun activities, it is also super fun during the summer time.
Be sure to plan your trip to the lake with plenty of sunscreen, don’t forget the kids and hit up Meadow Park. Here you will find a great swimming area, sandy beach, and even a floating dock and water toys.
If you love the lake life the surroundings can’t get any better with all the beautiful green trees and very large rocks around to really make you appreciate the nature.
There is also a snack bar available and restrooms. Another cool spots to swim in Big Bear is Garstin Island, you can climb the big rocks and jump right into the cool water.
Location: 41220 Park Ave, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
PIC Credit: @ scottsilbor
5 – Lake Gregory
Description:
Lake Gregory is surrounded by the forest of San Bernardino mountains, cedar and pine trees all helping make this a very charming spot. And what can you expect when you arrive at Lake Gregory?
An awesome inflatable water playground and over 4 acres for swimming! Enjoy beautiful sunshine and a great refreshing swim in this beautiful lake. If you don’t want to bring a picnic, there are 2 snack bars you can purchase small items from.
This is a very popular spot for swimming and other water activities, although there are no rentals available at the time of this writing you are still welcome to bring your own hard bottom Kayak. There is a $13 fee that you pay to launch your Kayak.
Many regional parks are open with a limited scale, but currently (May 2021) this lake is closed for swimming. We have included it because its one of our favorites and we expect that it will be open in the Summer of 2021 when its warm enough to go swimming anyway.
So add it to your list and keep checking their website for when this water playground opens again.
Location: 24171 Lake Dr, Crestline, CA 92325
PIC Credit: @venuaire
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!