Aquatic relief awaits.
Everyone in L.A. right now is melting and the only way to deal with it is to plunge into something cold as soon as physically possible. So Angelenos, you have a few options you can either submerge yourself in an icy michelada, a glorious frozen dessert or seek out anything that vaguely resembles a pool. Of course, hidden swimming spots and waterfalls involve arduous treks in the blazing sun. If you can’t even fathom that right now, here are the designated swim beaches (meaning they have restroom facilities, lifeguards, and use chlorinators) in L.A. that are easy to get to.
Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area
Tucked away in San Gabriel Valley at the foot of the mountains. This swimming spot offers some spectacular views of the Azusa mountains, the lush setting also makes it a great place to run or take a cycle along the bike path around the rim of the lake. The recreational swimming area is actually a flood-control dam on the San Gabriel River and is home to unique plants and wildlife.
Note: Valley Swim beach is open Thursday through Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm from July 9th to September 6th. Face coverings are required outside of water. Physical distancing required inside and outside of water. No lounging on the sand. No water toys allowed in or out of water. Due to high attendance capacity, gates may close for safety and health concerns. Please call in to check on attendance before making the drive to Santa Fe Dam. The following dates may experience high attendance capacity causing gate closure: August 1, August 29, September 26.
15501 Arrow Hwy, Irwindale, CA 91706, United States
Puddingstone Lake
This shallow swimming spot in San Dimas has a touch of beach and plenty of wildlife (ducks and fish) to make for a pretty relaxing local getaway. You can get involved in all sorts of activities like kayaking, running, fishing, walking, cycling, horseback riding, and, of course, swimming. There’s a specific area for swimming located on the South Shore and you’ll also have 1975 acres of the Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park to explore.
Eucalyptus Park Rd, San Dimas, CA 91773, United States
Pyramid Lake
Soak up the sun and scenic beauty of the Angeles and Los Padres National Forests near Castaic, California. It’s a popular place for outdoor folks thanks to the endless amount of recreational activities to Pyramid Dam on Piru Creek forms the Pyramid Lake (a reservoir) and it’s located in the Angeles and Los Padres National Forests near Castaic, California. In case you were wondering, it takes its name from the unmissable pyramid-shaped rock carved out by engineers building the Old Highway 99.
35800 Camino Del Lago, Castaic, CA 91384, United States
Castaic Lake
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is a reservoir and it’s one of the State Water Project’s largest recreational lakes. There are 29 miles of shoreline to enjoy and has two separate bodies of water for your recreational enjoyment. The Lower Lake Lagoon is where you want to head to if you’re interested in tranquil aquatic activities like swimming or canoeing, and if you want to avoid powerboats. You’ll also have plenty of hiking and biking trails to discover if you’re up for earning your dip. You could also skip that and head straight to the picnic spots.
Castaic Lake Dr, Castaic, CA 91310, United States