Swimming Holes

https://www.nps.gov/places/point-reyes-abbotts-lagoon-beach.htm

Agate Beach offers miles of breathtaking shoreline below towering cliffs. https://parks.marincounty.gov/parkspreserves/parks/agate-beach-park

Right by the ferry landing, just a minute’s walk away is the Ayala Cove beach. Hike in opposite directions from the ferry landing are Angel Island’s most popular beaches, Quarry Beach to the east and Perles Beach to the southwest. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1313

We believe that all San Francisco’s residents and visitors should have access to the city’s water recreation, culture, and maritime history. https://www.nps.gov/safr/learn/historyculture/aquatic-park-pier.htm

A secluded lake accessible via a 2.5-mile hike along the Coast Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore. Features a rope swing and scenic views.

https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hike-to-bass-lake.htm

Enjoy a peaceful beach with calm waters that warm up in summer. https://parks.marincounty.gov/parkspreserves/parks/chicken-ranch-beach

China Beach is in a tiny cove tucked between Lands End and Baker Beach in the Sea Cliff neighborhood of San Francisco. This sheltered pocket of sand features a picnic area, sunbathing, good play spots for children, and spectacular views of the Marin Headlands and Golden Gate. https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/china-beach

When temperatures warm up in summer, the bay waters bordering China Camp look mighty enticing. https://friendsofchinacamp.org/water-safety-smarts

A secluded swimming hole in Henry W. Coe State Park, accessible via a 10-mile hike, offering a sandy beach and flat boulders. https://coepark.net/hiking/china-hole-loop

On the north side Yerba Buena Island is Clipper Cove Picnic Area. This park has nice views of the Bay Bridge and a calm sandy beach. https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/clipper-cove-beach-on-yerba-buena-island

Cloverdale River Park runs along the west bank of the Russian River in northern Sonoma County and is a destination for walking, fishing, paddling, birdwatching, wildlife viewing and picnicking. https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/find-a-park/cloverdale-river-park

https://www.ebparks.org/parks/contra-loma

Coyote Point is a regional recreation area that provides a wide variety of opportunities: picnicking, swimming, windsurfing, bicycling, jogging, fishing, boating, and sailing. https://www.smcgov.org/parks/coyote-point-recreation-area

Crissy Field East Beach is where the locals come to play. This scenic spot where kids frolic in the sand offers ample recreation opportunities, as well as amenities like picnic tables, restrooms, and grills. Crissy beach is also one of the world’s best kite surfing spots. https://presidio.gov/explore/attractions/crissy-field-east-beach

At Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach, the water is warm and shallow. At the west end of the beach is a bathhouse with changing rooms. https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/swimming/crown-beach

This popular Castro Valley swim complex is only a short drive north from Interstate 580 on Cull Canyon Road in Castro Valley. https://www.ebparks.org/parks/cull-canyon

Del Rio Woods offers Russian River beach access near Fitch Mountain east of Healdsburg. The beach is a recent addition to the Regional Parks system, but is a historically popular summer destination for paddling, sunbathing and picnicking. https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/find-a-park/del-rio-woods

Del Valle Regional Park offers two swimming beaches with lifeguards on duty during posted periods. Year-round swimming is allowed without lifeguard service north of the boat ramp. https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/swimming/del-valle

Dillon Beach is a popular destination for beachgoers, surfers, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a peaceful retreat. https://pointreyes.org/dillon-beach-marin-county-california

Located in Don Castro Regional Recreation Area, swimming in the chlorinated swim lagoon is a main attraction from the end of May through September. https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/swimming/don-castro

https://www.nps.gov/places/point-reyes-drakes-beach.htm

Located in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach offers access to the Russian River for wading, swimming, paddling and sunbathing and also features shady picnic areas, lawns, a parcourse/fitness circuit and restrooms. https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/find-a-park/healdsburg-veterans-memorial-beach

A sheltered beach in Tomales Bay State Park, offering warm, calm waters suitable for families and swimmers of all ages. https://www.nps.gov/places/point-reyes-hearts-desire-beach.htm

This is Johnson’s Beach, a spirited place for rest and revelry, on the banks of the Russian River. https://www.johnsonsbeach.com

https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/swimming/keller-beach

Once at the beach, turn left to explore a stream meandering its way into the Pacific Ocean. https://www.nps.gov/places/point-reyes-kehoe-beach.htm

Lake Anza is a favorite getaway. Its sandy beach is open to the sun and sheltered from the wind, with lifeguards posted during the swim season. https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/swimming/lake-anza

Lake Berryessa is the biggest lake in Napa County, and with 165 miles of shoreline, there's plenty of space to find your own spot to swim and relax. It’s a great place for all kinds of fun—fishing, boating, jet skiing, waterskiing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, biking, birdwatching, checking out local wildlife, having a picnic, or just cooling off in the water. https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa

Quiet, human-made lake suitable for swimming and fishing. Requires a hike to reach the lake. https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/480/files/AnnadelSPWeb2016.pdf

Lake Temescal has an accessible Beach House adjacent to the swim area which offers changing rooms and showers. Swimming is allowed without lifeguards. https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/swimming/lake-temescal

The calm, wide beach is a favorite for families. https://www.nps.gov/places/point-reyes-limantour-beach.htm

The most well-loved and well-used beach in Pacifica! https://www.thesanfranciscopeninsula.com/listing/linda-mar-state-beach/4439

55-acre McNears Beach Park sits in a sheltered cove alongside San Pablo Bay. https://parks.marincounty.gov/parkspreserves/parks/mcnears-beach-park

Located at 15475 HWY 1, north of Point Reyes Station, Millerton Point sits on the inland side of the bay and features Alan Sieroty Beach along with a loop trail. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=470

Mom's Beach, a.k.a. Forestville River Access, provides access to the Russian River, just off River Road, via a parking area and a short trail leading to a scenic beach. Known by locals as "Mom's Beach", the rocky shore offers a lovely view of the surrounding redwood forest. https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/find-a-park/forestville-river-access

Monte Rio Beach is the largest public beach on the lower Russian River and is ADA accessible. Enjoy the serenity of this part of the Russian River and rent a canoe, paddle board or kayak. This is a great place to learn water sports but it’s also challenging enough to attract the advanced paddler. https://www.mrrpd.org/monte-rio-beach

Muir Beach is a quiet cove, beach and lagoon favored by locals. Located on the Pacific Coast three miles west of Muir Woods, Muir Beach is accessed over a 450-foot long pedestrian bridge that connects the parking lot to the beach, the Coastal Trail, and Kaashi Way, which is multi-use and accessible. https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/muirbeach.htm

Horseshoe Lakes (Niles Beach) swim complex includes a sandy beach, a bathhouse, vending machines, and lifeguard service. https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/swimming/niles-beach

https://www.smharbor.com/oyster-point-marina-park-9b9e21d#:~:text=About%20Oyster%20Point%20Marina%20and,a%202.5%20acre%20sandy%20beach.

A peaceful, 19-acre park in Tiburon with sweeping Bay views. https://parks.marincounty.gov/parkspreserves/parks/paradise-beach-park

Parkside Aquatic Park is open year round from sunrise to sundown including a Roped-off swim area. Check the water status for advisories or closures before entering the lagoon. https://cityofsanmateo.org/3340/Parkside-Aquatic-Park

Located in San Mateo County, this park offers a tranquil swimming area in Pescadero Creek, surrounded by redwoods. https://supportparks.org/parks-map/memorial-park

Riverfront Regional Park is located along the Russian River, just minutes from downtown Windsor and Healdsburg, and surrounded by classic Wine Country scenery. The park features a popular picnic area in a redwood grove and two lakes for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/find-a-park/riverfront-regional-park

Rockaway Beach is located south of the Pacifica Pier along the Pacific Coast Highway. Its narrow strand, crashing surf and dramatic headlands makes it a popular walking, dining, shopping and hotel destination. https://www.visitpacifica.com/rockawaybeach

Parking can be a challenge—make sure you find a legal spot along the road (there is a public entrance on the far east side of Redwood Drive)

If you’re looking for that kind of calm-water sandy beach experience, Schoonmaker Beach is a fabulous spot without the long drive out to the coast. https://www.oursausalito.com/visiting-sausalito/parks-in-sausalito/schoonmaker-beach.html

The swimming beach has a bathhouse and refreshment stand, open on weekends in spring and fall, and daily during summer months. https://www.ebparks.org/recreation/swimming/shadow-cliffs

Chlorinated, filtered lagoon with lifeguards on duty daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/waterpark

The water park on the Spring Lake Regional Park swimming lagoon is an inflatable, floating playground featuring slides, climbing walls, bridges, balance beams, jumps, an in-water sports court and more. The water park is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/waterpark

Steelhead Beach is a destination for summer fun on the Russian River. Swimming, paddling, sunbathing, picnicking and barbecuing are favorite activities here during warm months. Fishing, birding, and wildlife viewing are popular activities year-round. Restrooms and picnic areas are available at the parking lot. https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/find-a-park/steelhead-beach-regional-park

With opportunities for volleyball, hiking, picnicking, fishing, or surfing, people continue to visit Stinson Beach to escape from the frantic pace of everyday life, just they have been doing for over a century. https://home.nps.gov/goga/stbe.htm

A popular spot on the Russian River, ideal for swimming, tubing, and picnicking, with calm waters and scenic surroundings. https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/find-a-park/sunset-beach-river-park

The Inkwells (also known as The Ink Wells) are two deep natural swimming pools in Lagunitas Creek, in Marin County, California. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Inkwells

Lake Sonoma Recreation Area’s designated swimming area with picnic tables, playground, and boat ramp. Swimming, picnicking, and boating. https://www.spn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lake-Sonoma