Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is a beautiful outdoor destination set amidst oak woodlands in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley. You will find practically everything you need for a relaxing lakeside getaway in the great outdoors.
Although no body-to-water contact is allowed, there are still ample recreation opportunities available around the lake. Visitors enjoy camping, boating, boat and kayak rentals, fishing, wildlife cruises on the lake, bird watching, hiking, disc golf, photography, picnics, a general store and more.
Cachuma Lake Recreation area includes a swimming pool, the Neal Taylor Nature Center, and wonderful guided nature walks. They also offer a Junior Ranger Program on Saturdays. During the year they provide a variety of activities from Fireside Programs to fishing clinics.
Cachuma Lake is located off scenic Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County, Cachuma Lake is midway between the coast of Santa Barbara, area wineries, and the Danish community of Solvang.
Entrance Fees
- Daily Vehicle Entrance: $10
- Annual Vehicle Entrance: $100 ($75 for Santa Barbara County residents)
- Daily Boat Entrance and Launch: $13 ($125 annual for non-residents, $100 for county residents)
- Hikers and Bikers: $5
- Canoes or Kayaks Entrance and Launch: $5 ($30 annual)
- Dogs Entrance: $3 ($20 annual)
Boating
Cachuma Lake has no body-to-water contact allowed, so there is no water skiing or jet skiing. Some boats which pass inspections can be launched the same day (see details in Boating). A 40 MPH speed limit in the center of the lake means bass fishermen can move quickly from area to area. Canoes and Kayaks are permitted and even have areas set aside exclusively for them.
Marinas
Cachuma Lake has one marina with a variety of fishing and pontoon boats for rent, along with paddleboats, kayaks, and rowboats. There is a good launch ramp. Support services include fuel, a store and snack shop, and boat storage.
Fishing
Cachuma Lake is quickly becoming a leading bass fishing destination. Smallmouth bass are a favorite target of sportsmen as well as largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Bowfishing for carp is allowed here. Cachuma Lake is also home to bluegill, catfish redear sunfish, and crappie. An annual trout fishing derby draws large numbers.
Campgrounds
Cachuma Lake campgrounds are part of Santa Barbara County Parks. They are clustered for the most part on a single peninsula close to the marina, a swimming pool, store, and other support services. Group campsites and yurts are available. There are several good National Forest campgrounds within a few miles of the lake.
Lodging
Cachuma Lake offers several small cabins for rent at reasonable prices. Beyond those, lodging must be found in neighboring communities. Prices are generally high.
Scenery
Cachuma Lake rests in the Santa Ynez Valley between ridges of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Visitors to Cachuma Lake enjoy its rugged beauty, its variety of inlets and coves, and its wild shorelines.
Nearby Communities
Eight miles to the west of Cachuma Lake is the small community of Santa Ynez with restaurants and lodging. Twenty-two miles to the south are Santa Barbara and Goleta. Many visitors to the lake like to take the 12 miles drive to the west to spend a day in the picturesque Danish town of Solvang.
Cachuma Lake Swimming Pools
Location: Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Open: Daily Memorial Day Weekend and then again in early June - late August. After that pool is open Saturdays through September, and every day of Labor Day weekend.
Sessions: Session 1 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM; Session 2 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Cost: $3 per session
Lifeguards on Duty
Cachuma Lake Fireside Programs
Cachuma Lake Fireside Programs are available Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. during the summer. The programs are free with a $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Call the Naturalists' Office at (805) 688-4515 for more information or visit Santa Barbara County Parks and click on Cachuma Lake Calendar of Events to see the full line-up.
