California lakes for kayaking and paddleboarding

103 places · Updated automatically · Last reviewed October 29, 2026

California lakes and reservoirs where you can paddle a kayak, canoe or paddleboard. Many lakes inspect paddle craft for invasive mussels, so check each guide for the launch rules.

#1
Lake Del Valle
Lake · Livermore
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Seasonal kayak and paddleboard rentals at East Beach”
#2
Huntington Lake
Lake · Lakeshore
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Fishing boats, ski boats and paddlers share it in summer.”
#3
Camanche Reservoir
Lake · Wallace
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards need on-site screening before every launch”
#4
Twin Lakes (Bridgeport)
Lake · Bridgeport
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Free Forest Service paddle launch on Lower Twin Lake”
#5
Lake Isabella
Lake · Lake Isabella
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Sailing
Why it's here: “$30 per year for paddle and sail-powered vessels”
#6
Whiskeytown Lake
Lake · Whiskeytown
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “kayak and paddleboard rentals at both marinas”
#7
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
Lake · Friant
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “An accessible canoe and kayak ramp at South Finegold works only at high water.”
#8
Diaz Lake
Lake · Lone Pine
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Non-motorized boats allowed year-round”
#9
Lodi Lake Park
Lake · Lodi
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Kayaks, paddleboards and paddle boats from the Boathouse in season”
#10
Lake Tulloch
Lake · Jamestown
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards need a Tulloch Non-Motorized Watercraft Self-Certification Permit before launching”
#11
Lake Mendocino
Lake · Ukiah
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Every watercraft, including kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, must be inspected at the boat ramp before launching.”
#12
Lake Sonoma
Lake · Healdsburg
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Pontoons, fishing boats, ski and tubing boats, kayaks, paddleboards, canoes and jet skis”
#13
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Lake · Santa Barbara
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “16 ft 9.9 hp jon boats, pontoons and single or double kayaks”
#14
Lake Murray (Murray Reservoir)
Lake · La Mesa
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Motorboats, rowboats, canoes, kayaks, float tubes; no stand-up paddleboards”
#15
Big Bear Lake
Lake · Big Bear Lake
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Kayak and SUP rentals at Boulder Bay Park and Veterans Park (GetBoards)”
#16
Big Lagoon
Lake · Trinidad
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Kayaking; rentals from Kayak Trinidad”
#17
Hume Lake
Lake · Hume
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Non-motorized boating only”
#18
Florence Lake
Lake · Lakeshore
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Non-motorized boating”
#19
Lake Thomas A. Edison
Lake · Mono Hot Springs
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Canoeing and kayaking near the shoreline”
#20
Cherry Lake
Lake · Groveland
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Non-motorized boating”
#21
Bridgeport Reservoir
Lake · Bridgeport
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Single kayak rentals”
#22
Lake Sabrina
Lake · Bishop
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Tandem kayak and canoe rentals”
#23
Rock Creek Lake
Lake · Bishop
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Car-top and paddle boats”
#24
June Lake
Lake · June Lake
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Paddling and windsurfing from June Lake Beach”
#25
Prosser Creek Reservoir
Lake · Truckee
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding”