Lopez Lake Recreation Area

Lopez Lake Recreation Area is the crown jewel of the county's inland park system, a 940-acre reservoir tucked into the rolling oak hills above Arroyo Grande. The lake is a magnet for water recreation — boating, water-skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and some of the best bass, trout, and bluegill fishing in the region — while the Mustang Water Park offers slides and a swim area that delight families in summer. Around the shoreline, an extensive network of hiking and mountain-biking trails winds through chaparral, oak woodland, and creek canyons, with frequent wildlife including deer, bald eagles, and wild turkeys. A full-service campground with hundreds of sites, marina services, boat rentals, and picnic areas makes Lopez a destination for weekend getaways. It's the county's go-to spot for a classic California lake day.