San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area in California State

San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area

Comprised of three different bodies of water (San Luis Reservoir, ONeill Forebay, and Los Banos Creek), this recreation area is famous for its water sports.

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San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area Details

Comprised of three different bodies of water (San Luis Reservoir, O’Neill Forebay, and Los Banos Creek), this recreation area is famous for its water sports. Go for a dip at San Luis Creeks North Beach, explore the waters by sailing or jet skiing, or spend the day fishing for black bass, perch, and sturgeon. There are also four different campgrounds near the main reservoir, some of which sit directly on the shoreline. The reservoirs that you see today were created in 1962, although farmers have been using the water in this region for centuries. Wheat was one of the first crops in the area to use the water for irrigation, although tomatoes, melons, cotton, sugar beets, and melons are now all grown in the area.

Difficulty

Open

Distance

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Estimated time

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Region

State Parks

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Nearby Points of Interest Around San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area while the map context is still fresh.

5.5 mi away

Pacheco State Park

Originally part of the El Rancho San Luis Gonzaga Mexican land grant, which was gifted to Francisco Pacheco in 1843.

18.9 mi away

Kesterton National Wildlife Refuge

Developed using agricultural runoff from farmlands in Central Valley, the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge is an artificial wetland habitat.

20.2 mi away

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

A set of canals provide food for thousands of mallard, pintail, green-winged teal, and ring-necked ducks.

21.1 mi away

Great Valley Grasslands State Park

Established in 1982, this state park was created by merging together the former San Luis Island and Fremont Ford State Recreation Area parks.

21.2 mi away

Henry W. Coe State Park

This park protects an astonishing 87,000-acres of the Diablo Mountain range, making it the largest state-owned park in the state.