California Beaches Get All the Summer Love, Check Out These Dog-Friendly Lakes Instead

California’s iconic coastline and beautiful beaches get lots of love, and for good reason. But heading inland can make for a special summer day too, especially if you have a pooch. With sandy shorelines and ample opportunities to wake board, waterski and simply relax with your four-legged friends, the lakes in the region are unrivaled. And considering how many beaches aren’t dog-friendly , it’s a nice alternative for the whole family. As always, make sure to check out the particular guidelines, leave no trace, and keep your dog on-leash. Here are a few of the best dog-friendly lakes in the West.

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Bass Lake

This dog- and family-friendly lake, which is just a stone’s throw away (17 miles to be exact) from Yosemite National Park , is a longtime favorite of my dog Bento and I . Because the national parklands aren’t dog-friendly, it’s a great way for the two of us to get some nature time together during a trip to the Sierra. There’s boat and stand-up paddle boards for rent, and for those who would like to explore the area by car, a drive along the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway is a must.

Krista Simmons

Convict Lake

Another great spot for those with dogs is Convict Lake. It’s truly one of Mammoth ‘s gems, and your four legged friends (or otherwise) can enjoy a day out on the pontoon boat, or hiking around the perimeter, like Bento and I did here .

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Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe hardly needs an introduction. The shockingly beautiful blue lake, combined with the Sierra Nevada mountains, make for quite the combination. No matter if you’re heading to the South or North sides, you and your pooch are in for a treat.

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Big Bear Lake

The towns in the San Bernardino Mountains—including Big Bear , Arrowhead , and the surrounding areas—have always been iconic mountain escapes, especially for Southern Californians looking to retreat from the rat race. Aside from the awesome lakeside activities like boating and fishing, there are a handful of charming new boutique hotels and bespoke home goods grocers in Big Bear worth checking out, too.

Thomas J. Story

June Lake

While most people associate leaf peeping with the East Coast, the West is not to be slept on for fans of autumnal color . Varieties of native oak, maple, aspen, and alder put on a spectacle this time of year, particularly in our parklands in the Morth and Eastern regions of the Sierra. June Lake is no exception, and is a perfect spot to plan an upcoming fall trip.

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Castiac Lake

Castaic is the largest state water project reservoir in Southern California and contains over 11,200 total acres of parkland and open space habitat. While the nearby Pyramid Lake gets a lot of love with Angelenos and allows for dogs to swim in the water, this low-key lake right outside L.A. near Six Flags Magic Mountain is the perfect spot to come out and picnic for the day. Note: dogs cannot swim in the lake but can be with you on the beaches and in your boat.

Thomas J. Story

Lake Sonoma

With over 40 acres of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails under the shade of oak and madrone, Lake Sonoma in Geyserville is the ideal spot to canoe, sailboat, or motorboat. Come spring, the wildflowers are in full bloom, with Fawn Lily, Iris, Indian Pink, Lupine, and California Poppy filling the park with bursts of color. On shore, you’ll find BBQ pits, campsites, and sand volleyball courts available by reservation, and plenty of places for dogs to roam and sniff.

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Lake Berryessa

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument takes up 330,000 acres in Northern California’s Inner Coast Range, running from due east of the Napa Valley all the way north into the wilds of Mendocino County. The peak that gives the monument its name, Snow Mountain, is 7,000 feet high, and the area is resplendent with chaparral, oak foothills, and pine-dotted higher slopes. And that melt makes its way to a magnificent Lake Berryessa, which offers boating, water skiing, tubing, and wake-boarding year-round. In the summer, the water can reach 75 degrees—the perfect cool-down after a hike or a stroll through sun-drenched vineyards.