Santa Margarita Lake

Santa Margarita Lake is a reservoir in California that spans over a thousand acres and is surrounded by wooded mountains. The water is held back by a dam built in 1941 and serves as a drinking water source for the city of San Luis Obispo.

The lake was created in 1941 with the construction of the Salinas Dam to store water for a nearby military camp. Since then, it has developed into a major water supply facility for the region.

The lake takes its name from the nearby town of Santa Margarita and has long served as a gathering place for recreation and relaxation. Visitors use it for fishing, boating, and picnicking, creating a friendly community presence around the water.

The lake is easily reached from the town of Santa Margarita on Route 58, about 7 miles from the main highway. A recreation area with primitive campsites, picnic spots, and a network of trails allows various activities, though swimming in the lake itself is not permitted but a small pool is available on-site.

The shoreline of the lake has an unusual shape often compared to a dragon, with many twisted inlets and small islands. This complex structure creates hidden coves and changing views that make exploring by water particularly interesting.