Little-known California destination Lake Anza rivals Lake Tahoe — without the crowds

Californians looking for a stunning destination to swim might want to consider Lake Anza.

It’s about 200 miles away in San Francisco’s East Bay region, and known for its redwoods, oaks and other trees that provide a relaxing, hidden environment.

Plus, unlike Lake Tahoe, which receives around 15 million visitors in a given year on average, Lake Anza doesn’t get as crowded.

The reservoir isn’t as expansive as Tahoe and covers just about 10 acres, but the freshwater swimming hole in Berkeley’s Tilden Regional Park is still considered “a beautiful gem”, according to one Tripadvisor reviewer.

Another reviewer on the site also said that “you can hike around the lake” and that it’s “very clean.”

The website California.com features the reservoir as one of the most beautiful destinations to swim in the northern part of the state. It also holds a 4.6 Google rating from more than 100 reviews, which isn’t a far cry from Lake Tahoe’s 4.8 stars.

The popular swimming destination is open between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends, and during holidays between May 16 and September 27.

It’s perfect for anyone looking for a sandy beach and a place to swim or walk along it’s beautiful banks in this part of the state’s wooded areas.

It’s important to note, however, that Lake Anza can also get crowded, especially during weekends and holidays.

To ensure you get to swim in the pristine waters, you may want to get there early, seeing as the area closes to additional guests when it reaches maximum capacity.

For safety advisories, it’s recommended visitors check out the East Bay Regional Park District’s website. Water safety in the area varies due to blue-green algae levels.

Some recommendations include preventing the water from reaching your mouth and avoiding taking a dip in the lake for three days after heavy rainfall.

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