Where To Take Your Pontoon Boat In The Bay Area

Tom Stienstra at the SF Chronicle has provided a great service to all boaters by compiling this list of the top 10 lakes for boating in the Bay Area. He says that Bay Area lakes offer many boating opportunities plus pontoon boat rentals, but not all lakes are open to the public.

Of 70 lakes in 10 counties in the greater Bay Area, the public is permitted to take part in some form of boating at 30 of them. No boating of any kind is permitted at 40 lakes, including all eight lakes in Marin County. Of those 40, no public access of any kind is allowed at 13, including five lakes in San Mateo County.
At lakes where boats with trailers are permitted, new inspection programs for invasive zebra mussels are typically required, adding to the cost and time of trips.

With spring arriving, here are the top 10 lakes in the region for boating:

1. Lake Berryessa, Napa County: This is the Bay Area's backyard boating headquarters. Berryessa is one of the biggest lakes in Northern California, 23 miles long with 165 miles of shoreline. It is the launch point for all types of boating and water sports, great fishing, camping and shoreline resorts. The Bureau of Reclamation is overseeing major renovation of concessions. For now, services include a free boat ramp at Capell Cove and hand-launch areas for kayaks at Eticuera and Oak Shores. Markley Cove, Steele Park and Pleasure Cove Marina are expected to continue operations this year. Other resort sites are expected to renew in new configurations in 2010. Brochure at (707) 966-2111 or www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa.

2. Del Valle Reservoir, Livermore: Del Valle feels big. It's a long, narrow and deep lake in a canyon, 5 miles long, surrounded by wild lands. This is the best lake-based park in the Bay Area, with access for boating, swimming, fishing, camping, biking and hiking. A 10-mph speed limit keeps things quiet. The marina offers boat rentals, including motorboats, pontoon boats, canoes, rowboats, and paddle boats, and Del Valle Kayak Center has Hobie and sea kayaks available. Marina, (925) 449-5201; brochure at (888) 327-2757, ext. 5; download PDF file at ebparks.org.

3. San Pablo Reservoir, El Sobrante: For boaters, San Pablo is a fortune hunt, there's so much to explore, including Scow Canyon, just outside the protected waterfowl preserve on the south end, with good fishing for trout and bass in many areas. Motors are restricted to 4-cycle with a 25-mph speed limit in the center of the lake, 5-mph along shore. Rentals are available for kayaks, row boats, boats with motors, and pontoon boats. Kayak Demo Day is April 19. (510) 223-1661 or norcalfishing.com.

4. Loch Lomond Reservoir, Ben Lomond: Long, narrow Loch Lomond is the prettiest lake in the greater Bay Area. It is nestled in a deep redwood canyon, quiet and gorgeous, with lots of birds. No gas motors permitted. A small marina rents rowboats, boats with electric motors and paddleboats. (831) 420-5320, www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us - in column on far right, scroll down, click on "Loch Lomond Recreation Area."

5. Lake Anderson, Morgan Hill: Anderson is tucked in a big canyon edged by foothills peppered with oaks, just over the ridge from Morgan Hill east of Highway 101. It's the boating capital of Santa Clara County, so popular that boat-launch reservations are required on weekends. It opens daily for boating Wednesday. Boat-launch reservations, (408) 355-2201; park headquarters, (408) 779-3634 or parkhere.org.

6. Lake Chabot, San Leandro: Chabot is small, pretty and intimate, complete with a small island, hidden coves and high slopes surrounding its shore. There's no boat ramp, but you can carry in kayaks, canoes or sculls less than 20 feet. Rentals available: row boats, canoes, pedal boats, kayaks, boats with electric trolling motors, patio boats. Marina at (510) 247-2526; brochure at (888) 327-2757, ext. 5, or ebparks.org.

7. Calero Reservoir, Coyote: Calero is tucked in foothill valleys along McKean Road, west of Coyote and Highway 101 in Santa Clara County. It's excellent for all boating (35-mph speed limit) and catch-and-release bass fishing, but crowded on weekends. Boat-launch reservations (required on weekends), (408) 355-2201; park headquarters, (408) 268-3883 or parkhere.org.

8. Shadow Cliffs Lake, Pleasanton: This isn't exactly a lake, but rather a former water hole for a rock quarry. That is why it resembles a 75-acre square with high walls. It provides a boat ramp, good trout fishing, swimming, and rentals for rowboats, canoes and paddleboats. No gas motors. (925) 846-3000; brochure at (888) 327-2757, ext. 5 or ebparks.org.

9. Lafayette Reservoir, Lafayette: This little lake has been like a backyard paradise for locals, but it's so pretty and tranquil, with decent enough fishing, that it attracts visitors from throughout the Bay Area. Rowboats, paddleboats available for rent. Marina, (925) 284-9669; ebmud.com/services/recreation- click on East Bay.

10. Lake Elizabeth, Fremont: A visit to this 83-acre urban surprise, which opens April 18, is like finding Valhalla on hot summer days. A small marina rents kayaks, canoes, small sailboats and paddleboats. (510) 790-5541; fremont.gov - click on recreation tab.

Where boats will float

Alameda County: Boating permitted at Aquatic Park, Bethany Reservoir, Lake Chabot, Del Valle Res., Lake Elizabeth (opens April 18), Lake Merritt, Quarry Lakes, Shadow Cliffs. No boating at Cull Canyon, Don Castro, Jordan Pond, Shinn Pond. No public access at Upper San Leandro Res., San Antonio Res.

Contra Costa County: Boating permitted at Contra Loma, Lafayette, Los Vaqueros and San Pablo reservoirs. No boating at Lake Anza, Briones Res., Lake Temescal.

Marin County: No boating at Alpine, Bon Tempe, Kent, Lagunitas, Phoenix or Stafford lakes, or at Nicasio or Soulejule reservoirs.

Napa County: Boating permitted at Lake Berryessa, Lake Hennessey (Conn Dam). No public access at Lake Curry, Milliken Res., Rector Res.

San Francisco: Boating permitted Lake Merced North, Lake Merced South.

Santa Clara County: Boating permitted at Lake Anderson and Calero Res. (both open five days per week now; daily starting Wednesday), Coyote Res. (now closed, opens Wednesday), Lake Cunningham, Parkway Lakes, Stevens Creek Res. (now closed, opens Wednesday), Lake Vasona. Palo Alto residents only at Boronda Lake. Limited access by special permit at Lexington Res. No boating at Arastradero, Lake Almaden, Almaden Res., Campbell Percolation Ponds, Chesbro Res., Cottonwood Lake, Guadalupe Res., Sandy Wool Lake, Uvas Res. No public access to Felt Lake.

San Mateo County: No public access to Upper Crystal Springs, Lower Crystal Springs, San Andreas Lake, Pilarcitos Lake, Waterdog Lake.

Santa Cruz County: Boating permitted at Loch Lomond Res., Pinto Lake. No public access at Lake Elsman.

Solano County: Boating permitted at Lake Solano. No boating at Lake Chabot (adjacent to Dan Foley Park). No access to Lake Madigan.

Sonoma County: Boating permitted at Ralphine Lake, Lake Sonoma, Spring Lake. Public banned at Laguna Lake.

Note: Facilities, access, rules regarding motors and required inspections for privately owned boats vary greatly.

With all of these lakes available for boating it's time to take the pontoon boat out onto a lake and enjoy the spring weather.