The Ultimate Northern California Lake Road Trip

When you think of spending a day playing in the water in the Golden State, the beautiful beaches in Southern California likely come to mind. But, I have news for you—I've put together an epic Northern California lake road trip that will take you to nine beautiful destinations for a day of water, beauty, and adventure. Some of these lakes are best for swimming, some for fishing and kayaking, and all offer unparalleled views—perfect for a picnic. So, gas up your car, grab some snacks, and start planning your scenic lakes road trip in NorCal.

The Ultimate Northern California Lake Road Trip Route

Northern California is home to hundreds of lakes and reservoirs, some much larger and more well-known than others, like Shasta Lake and Trinity Lake. The following Northern California lakes road trip itinerary takes you to some of the prettiest bodies of water, both large and small, popular and relatively unknown. In total, this route is approximately 600 miles and requires approximately 13 hours of drive time. This is a road trip where you will want several days to complete the route in its entirety, and to give you plenty of time to enjoy each destination. However, if you have just one day to explore, choose a couple of lakes from this list and enjoy the varied landscapes and activities available at each one. You can use this interactive map to help you customize this trip and to create an adventure you will never forget.

Stop One: Bucks Lake

This gem, located near the town of Quincy, is a popular place for locals and those in the know. Bucks Lake isn’t as well-known as Lake Almanor or Lake Sonoma (which are also on our list), but we think this might be one of the prettiest lakes in all of Northern California—and that’s saying a lot! If the weather permits, take a dip in the pristine water of this beautiful and clean mountain lake. Park at Sandy Point Day Use Area and Boat Launch, where you’ll find a picnic area and restrooms. This is a great place to picnic and swim in the water.

Stop Two: Snake Lake

Snake Lake is not far from Bucks Lake. It features some of the same beautiful mountain scenery, except this lake is a lot smaller and not swimmable. But we like Snake Lake because it is somewhat unknown, except to area fishermen. Bring your poles with you to Snake Lake and see if you can catch some of the bluegills, bass, or catfish that swim in these waters. If you just want to experience the sight of this lovely lake, head to Snake Lake Campground, where you’ll find picnic tables that are shaded by the towering pines of the area.

Stop Three: Lake Almanor

Like Bucks Lake and Snake Lake, Lake Almanor is also located in Plumas County. It seems like in the past decade, awareness of this beautiful mountain lake has exploded. There are cabins for sale, many hotels, and also a ton of gorgeous rentals on the shores of Lake Almanor. It’s hard to choose just one spot to enjoy on Lake Almanor. We like the quiet and seclusion of PG&E Picnic Park, but our favorite spots are Westwood Beach and the Lake Almanor Country Club area.

While this lake is just one stop on your NorCal lakes road trip, it would be easy to spend a day here. There is so much to do—swimming, hiking, boating, fishing, golfing, and more. In fact, this may be a great place to spend the night, whether at an Airbnb or at a nearby campground.

Stop Four: Eagle Lake

Eagle Lake’s claim to fame is that it is California’s second-largest freshwater lake. Located in northeastern California at an elevation of 5,100 feet, this lake spans between 16,000 and 29,000 acres. Visitors can swim, fish, and enjoy water sports on this beautiful body of water. Next to the lake, there are biking and hiking trails, plus several campgrounds. This lake feels relatively undeveloped compared to the previous lakes on this list. You’ll find parking and some areas to explore at the Christie Day Use Area Campground, located about an hour from Lake Almanor.

Stop Five: Lake Britton

Technically a reservoir, Lake Britton is a picturesque body of water located in Shasta County. This scenic lake in Northern California has campgrounds and boat launch access. Kayakers and boaters will enjoy exploring the water that has a dam as well as a bridge going over it. If you’re just passing through, drive over the Lake Britton Bridge on your way to the Burney Creek Pier. This is also an excellent place to spend the night if you plan on visiting all nine lakes. There are plenty of campgrounds, as well as some nearby rental properties.

Stop Six: Black Butte Lake

This man-made lake is situated on the west side of the Sacramento Valley, not far from Orland. This tranquil lake has 40 miles of shoreline and 20 miles of hiking trails that surround the lake. Park at the day-use area called Buckhorn Recreation Area, where you’ll find a playground and exercise area, plus toilets and campsites.

Stop Seven: Lake Pillsbury

The scenery changes quite a bit from Black Butte Lake to Lake Pillsbury. At an elevation of 1,818 feet, Lake Pillsbury is the largest lake in Mendocino National Forest. We love swimming and relaxing on the shores of this picturesque lake. Definitely include this lake on your road trip, especially since it may not be around forever!

Stop Eight: Lake Mendocino

This beautiful blue lake is located just north of wine country and near the city of Ukiah. Explore the area on the many hiking trails, or fish for smallmouth bass, strippers, and catfish. Lake Mendocino has more than 300 campsites to choose from, but for day use, head to the northwest side of the lake. The Pomo Day Use Area has picnic tables, restrooms, and is a good place to swim.

Stop Nine: Lake Sonoma

Drive south from Lake Mendocino on U.S. 101, and in an hour you’ll reach Lake Sonoma. This wine-country lake is a popular spot for both tourists and locals. On the drive to Lake Sonoma from the U.S. 101 exit, you’ll pass several wineries. Why not enjoy a tasting and buy a bottle of wine to enjoy by the lakeside? We recommend Dutcher Crossing Winery. The property is stunning, and they are open seven days a week, making it a little easier to visit them on this scenic Northern California road trip. Stop by the Lake Sonoma Overlook to take in incredible views of the lake.

Plan Your NorCal Lake Adventure

While this list only scratches the surface of all the small, lesser-known lakes in Northern California, it's a good start for one unforgettable adventure! Hopefully, we've also piqued your interest to explore some new lakes with this list. If you are looking for even more travel inspiration, check out these little-known lakes that are perfect for a day of kayaking. Or, if you would rather hit the trails, add some of the best hikes in Northern California to your outdoor bucket list. Of course, we have many other scenic road trip itineraries in Northern California for you to consider. Here are only a few of our favorite trip ideas.