Big Bear Lake is an incorporated city in California and a year-round tourism hub located in the San Bernardino National Forest about 100 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. The lake, which is 6,759 feet above sea level, stretches for 7 miles and is surrounded by the fresh scent of Ponderosa pines. However, as peaceful as that may sound, Big Bear is one of California's most action-packed lakes. Fishing tournaments, water sports rentals, mountain biking trails, zip-lining, rock climbing, golfing, a go-kart track, and a zoo are among the warm-weather activities. Visit in the fall to take part in Big Bear's festive, nine-week Oktoberfest celebration, which runs from September to mid-November.

Big Bear Mountain Resort has the best skiing and snowboarding in Southern California, and various snow tubing options are available from November to March. The most prominent lodging option in the area is Big Bear Mountain Resort, but lakeside accommodations also include cabins, rentals, bed and breakfasts, and more. If anyone in your family thinks a lakeside vacation sounds boring, previous visitors say Big Bear Lake is a surefire antidote.

Shasta is a 30,000-acre reservoir and the state's largest reservoir and is considered by many travelers to be one of the best lakes in Northern California. As visitors fish and explore this Sacramento River-fed lake, snowcapped Mount Shasta looms over the lake as an ever-present landmark. It's worth the trip to see the Shasta Dam, the country's second-largest concrete dam and the location where Woody Guthrie allegedly wrote the lyrics to "This Land Is Your Land".

If you're looking for even more Shasta Lake history, take a boat tour of the lake's fascinating underground cave system. Shasta Lake's hundreds of miles of shoreline and quiet coves make it ideal for overnight anchoring. Renting a houseboat is the thing to do here, but if you'd rather stay on land, the Inn at Shasta Lake promises a secluded stay nearby in nature.

Summer activities include fishing, boating, camping, and waterskiing, while winter sports enthusiasts will find ski resorts nearby, as well as a plethora of state and national parks with areas for mountaineering, cross-country skiing, hunting, and snowshoeing. Even if you're just passing through, the views from I-5 can be breathtaking. There are plenty of pull-offs with nearly unobstructed lake views if you want to make a brief stop or two to get a few shots.

From 1895 to 1952, the now-defunct Folsom Powerhouse was considered the largest electrical plant on the continent, supplying power to Sacramento residents. The area is now known as the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, and it is located about 25 miles northeast of Sacramento. The recreation area, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, provides cyclists with a 32-mile bike path that connects the lake to other Sacramento County parks. Camping, fishing, and horseback riding are popular Folsom Lake activities. Visit in late April or early May, when the lupine flowers are in super bloom,' covering the park in stunning shades of purple.

The Granite Bay Main Beach section of the recreation area has picnic areas with tables, barbecues, and flush toilets that can comfortably accommodate 100 people. If you don't want to camp at Folsom Lake, there are several popular hotel chains nearby. Consider the Lake Natoma Inn, which is about 3 miles south of Folsom Lake and located along the American River.

If you find yourself near the San Jacinto Mountains, make a point of visiting Lake Hemet. The entrance fee to the San Bernardino National Forest grounds, where Lake Hemet is located, is $5 per day. Anglers appreciate small boats that can be rented on a daily basis so they can cast for a catch wherever they want. According to recent visitors, eagles are occasionally spotted in the sky, so bring binoculars for bird watching. Committed outdoor enthusiasts also visit Lake Hemet, which is one of the most popular camping spots in Southern California, with a variety of campsites.

During the summer, campers have free access to the Splashing Eagle Swim Zone, which includes a large beach and swimming area with life vests. While Lake Hemet and Palm Springs appear to be near each other on a map, they are actually about 47 miles apart when driving. If you're not staying at one of Hemet's campgrounds, consider driving 9 miles north to the Idyllwild Inn, which rents out midcentury modern cabins.

Donner Lake is located just across the border from Reno, Nevada, along Interstate 80, and is named after the ill-fated group of pioneers who spent a harrowing winter trapped in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Though the winters along the I-80 corridor are harsh, as are the winters in most northern California lakes, Donner and its perfect summer weather are magnets for those seeking to escape the state's sweltering lowland deserts.

Donner Lake is a freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that was made famous by the Donner Party, a group of early pioneers who were stranded here during the winter of 1846-1847. Visitors today can expect better conditions at the lake, which is about 100 miles northeast of Sacramento via Interstate 80. Boating, fishing, water skiing, and picnicking are popular tourist activities that can be enjoyed during the warmer months. Snow allows for alpine activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Donner Lake has a family-friendly atmosphere, and there are numerous vacation rentals in the area. If you're looking for a romantic getaway, consider Tahoe Mountain Resorts Lodging Old Greenwood in Truckee.

Imagine swimming in cool, blue waters with a clear sky above and the powdery white-and-gray Sierra Nevada on your horizon — that's June Lake. If you'd rather spend your time on the water than in it, anglers can complete a "Sierra Grand Slam" by catching all four varieties of the lake's trout in a single day. June Lake, one of the area's largest natural lakes, covers 320 acres and, according to previous visitors, is especially beautiful in the autumn when the leaves turn. Its epic landscape may look familiar; it has appeared in a number of car commercials.

June Lake in northern California is a popular destination for trout fishermen and visitors looking for quaint mountain towns. Summers are mild and even cool by southern California standards due to the high altitude, but winter conditions can be treacherous. The town and lake are an easy drive east of Yosemite National Park, allowing visitors to see many of the region's most notable areas quickly and easily.

Mono is a natural lake with otherworldly spires of calcium carbonate known as tufa towers that look like something out of a science fiction film. These formations are caused by the lake's salinity, which is three times higher than that of the ocean. Despite this, life thrives in and around the alkaline waters of Mono Lake, which is home to countless brine shrimp and more than 80 species of migratory birds. Mono Lake in California is one of the oldest lakes in North America, having formed an estimated 750,000 years ago. Visitors can hike, boat, camp, and even swim in the lake.

Head to Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, which maintains an easy 1-mile interpretive trail and an accessible boardwalk along the north shore. Bring your best camera with you to capture the changing reflections of the tufa towers on the lake's surface. Lee Vining is the closest town to Mono Lake; stay at the Yosemite Gateway Motel, which has expansive lake views. Because the town is small, you should consider staying in the Mammoth Lakes region, which is 30 miles to the south.

Lake Havasu is a desert lake on the Arizona-California border that was formed in 1938 when the Parker Dam was built across the Colorado River. Lake Havasu is a great place to visit for out-of-state visitors who find the landscape and vistas of the American southwest fascinating and alluring. The stunning combination of palm trees, barren mountains, and shimmering water beneath the distinctively blue California sky are breathtaking.

Previous visitors recommend visiting nearby Havasu Lake City, which shares the lake's name and has a lively atmosphere. To add to its oddities, Lake Havasu has a London Bridge, or rather a bridge that used to span the River Thames but was purchased in 1968 and relocated to the Arizona desert. The London Bridge, which connects Lake Havasu City to an island on the Colorado River, has now been in operation for more than 50 years. Boating is the best way to explore this 45-mile-long reservoir, and overnight houseboat rentals are available for those willing to splurge.

Lake Cachuma is a great place to visit if you're looking for a lake in the Santa Ynez Valley. It's a great day trip from Santa Barbara, which is only about 25 miles away, and a great way to break up a California wine-tasting weekend. The 9,000-acre Cachuma Lake Recreation Area also has views of the San Rafael Mountains in the distance and the Danish community of Solvang, which is about 12 miles away. Despite the fact that the weather is usually mild here, swimming is not permitted in this lake. Instead, visitors can go kayaking or canoeing along Lake Cachuma's 42-mile shoreline.

Alternatively, you can book a two-hour naturalist-led eagle and wildlife cruise. Many visitors were wowed by the lake views from higher ground (and the accompanying world-class sunsets), which are easily accessible via the Sweetwater Trail, a 5-mile out-and-back hike. If you don't mind roughing it, the recreation area has eight cabins on-site that sleep up to six people. Otherwise, Santa Barbara is known for its opulent accommodations, such as the Hotel Californian and The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara.

Sonoma Lake, created by the Warm Springs Dam, is one of many man-made lakes in California. The lake is located off of US Route 101 and has 50 miles of shoreline in northern Sonoma. There are numerous camping and day-use areas, and fishing and hunting are popular activities. If that sounds a little too intense, many visitors enjoy Sonoma Lake's breathtaking views by hiking, boating, or horseback riding. The Ranch at Lake Sonoma provides memorable trail rides as well as craft beer and wine on their property, which is just a short walk from the Sonoma Marina and campground.

Lake Sonoma's Warm Springs Recreation Area, located adjacent to the lake, offers a disc golf course, a dog park, and an archery range. The cost of parking within the recreation area is $5. The nature preserve has no lodging (camping is available for a fee), but there are plenty of boutique options nearby, such as the Gaige House in Glen Ellen, about 40 miles away. Many of the surrounding mountains turn a lush green during the spring and early summer months, making for dramatic photo opportunities. The Warm Springs Dam and bridge are a must-see for anyone interested in capturing the intersection of the natural and man-made worlds. Sonoma Lake is also known for having some of the best bass fishing in the area.