List of lakes of the San Francisco Bay Area facts for kids
The San Francisco Bay Area is a vibrant region in California, known for its beautiful landscapes and many bodies of water. Among these are numerous lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. These natural and human-made water features are important for many reasons, like providing drinking water, offering places for fun outdoor activities, and creating homes for local wildlife. This list will take you on a tour of the lakes you can find across the different counties in the Bay Area.
Contents
Lakes in Alameda County
Alameda County is on the east side of San Francisco Bay. It's home to a mix of busy cities and beautiful natural areas, including several important lakes and reservoirs. Many of these help supply water to the communities nearby.
- Almond Reservoir
- Berryman Reservoir
- Bethany Reservoir
- Calaveras Reservoir - This large reservoir is partly in Santa Clara County.
- Central Reservoir
- Lake Chabot
- Cull Canyon Lake
- Lake Del Valle
- Dingee Reservoir
- Don Castro Reservoir
- Lake Elizabeth
- Frick Lake
- Frog Pond
- Heron Pond
- Jordan Pond
- The Lagoon
- Lake Merritt - A famous tidal lagoon in Oakland, often called the "jewel of Oakland."
- Middlefield Reservoir
- Mission Reservoir
- Newt Pond
- Niles Reservoir
- Patterson Reservoir
- Reservoir Number One
- Reservoir Number Two
- San Antonio Reservoir
- Seneca Reservoir
- South Reservoir
- Swimming Lagoon
- Lake Temescal
- Thirtyninth Avenue Reservoir
- Tule Pond
- Tyson Lake
- Upper San Leandro Reservoir - This reservoir is partly in Contra Costa County.
- Whitfield Reservoir
Lakes in Contra Costa County
Located just north of Alameda County, Contra Costa County also features a variety of lakes and reservoirs. These waters are key for both water supply and recreation, offering places to fish, boat, and enjoy nature.
- Lake Alhambra
- Antioch Municipal Reservoir
- Lake Anza
- Black Hills Reservoir
- Brickyard Cove Pond
- Briones Reservoir
- Brookwood Reservoir
- Lake Cascade
- Chase Pond
- Clifton Court Forebay
- Contra Loma Reservoir
- Lake El Toyonal
- Fay Hill Reservoir
- Frog Pond
- Hidden Pond
- Hilltop Lake
- Jewel Lake
- Lafayette Reservoir - A popular spot for fishing and hiking.
- Leland Reservoir
- Los Vaqueros Reservoir - One of the larger reservoirs, important for water storage.
- Mallard Reservoir
- Maloney Reservoir
- Marsh Creek Reservoir
- Martinez Reservoir
- Miller/Knox Lagoon
- Moraga Reservoir
- North Reservoir
- Point Potrero Pond
- San Pablo Reservoir
- Selby Reservoir
- Sindicich Lagoons
- Sobrante Reservoir
- Summit Reservoir
- Upper San Leandro Reservoir - This reservoir is partly in Alameda County.
- Willow Lake
Lakes in Marin County
Marin County, just north of San Francisco, is known for its beautiful coastline and rolling hills. Its lakes and lagoons are often found within stunning parklands, providing habitats for wildlife and peaceful places for people to visit.
- Abbotts Lagoon
- Alpine Lake
- Arroyo Sausal Reservoir
- Bass Lake
- Belvedere Lagoon
- Big Lagoon
- Bon Tempe Lake
- Civic Center Lagoon
- Crystal Lake
- Forbes Hill Reservoir
- Hagmaier Pond North
- Hagmaier Pond South
- Haypress Pond
- Kent Lake
- Laguna Lake - This lake is partly in Sonoma County.
- Lake Lagunitas
- Lily Lake
- Mill Pond
- Mill Valley Reservoir
- Mud Lake
- Nicasio Reservoir
- Ocean Lake
- Pelican Lake
- Phoenix Lake
- Rodeo Lagoon
- Scottsdale Pond
- Soulajule Reservoir
- Stafford Lake
- Tamarancho Lake
- Wildcat Lake
Lakes in Napa County
Napa County is famous for its vineyards, but it also has several lakes and reservoirs. These water bodies are important for the region's agriculture and provide scenic spots for recreation.
- Alfalfa Patch Reservoir
- Bell Canyon Reservoir
- Lake Berryessa - One of the largest lakes in California, popular for boating and fishing.
- Lake Camille
- Cooksley Lake
- Lake Curry
- Crystal Lake
- Deer Lake
- Doe Lake
- Duvall Lake
- East Napa Reservoir
- East Side Reservoir
- Lake Ellen
- Fawn Lake
- Fiege Reservoir
- Granite Lake
- Lake Henne
- Lake Hennessey
- Lake Hinman
- Horse Pond
- Leoma Lakes
- Lake Madigan - This lake is partly in Solano County.
- Lake Marie
- Milliken Reservoir
- Moskowitz Reservoir
- Mud Lake
- Lake Newton
- Lake Orville
- Rector Reservoir
- Red Lake
- Weeks Lake
- Lake Whitehead
- Wild Lake
- West Napa Reservoir
Lakes in San Francisco
Even in the busy city of San Francisco, you can find several beautiful lakes and ponds. Many of these are located within the city's parks, offering green spaces and calm waters for city dwellers to enjoy.
- Elk Glen Lake
- Laguna Honda Reservoir
- Lily Pond
- Lloyd Lake
- Lombard Street Reservoir
- Mallard Lake
- McNab Lake
- Lake Merced - A large freshwater lake in the southwestern part of the city.
- Metson Lake
- Middle Lake
- Mountain Lake
- North Basin
- North Lake
- Pine Lake
- South Basin
- South Lake
- Spreckels Lake
- Stow Lake
- Sunset Reservoir
- Sutro Reservoir
- Twin Peaks Reservoir
Lakes in San Mateo County
South of San Francisco, San Mateo County stretches along the Pacific coast and includes parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its lakes and reservoirs are vital for the region's water supply and offer beautiful natural settings.
- Bean Hollow Lake
- Bear Gulch Reservoir
- Big Lagoon
- Central Lake
- Reservoir de los Frijoles
- Knuedler Lake
- Laguna Salada
- Little Lagoon
- Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir
- Lower Emerald Lake
- Lake Lucerne
- Mindego Lake
- Pearsons Pond
- Pilarcitos Lake
- Pomponio Reservoir
- Reflection Lake
- San Andreas Lake - A long, narrow lake that is part of the San Francisco Bay Area's water system.
- Schilling Lake
- Searsville Lake
- Spencer Lake
- Stone Dam Reservoir
- Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir
- Upper Emerald Lake
- Water Dog Lake
Lakes in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County, often called "Silicon Valley," is a hub of technology and innovation. But it also has many important lakes and reservoirs that provide water and recreational opportunities for its large population.
- Almaden Reservoir
- Anderson Lake
- Borondo Lake
- Bulhead Reservoir
- Calaveras Reservoir - This reservoir is partly in Alameda County.
- Calero Reservoir
- Cherry Flat Reservoir
- Chesbro Reservoir
- Lake Couzzens
- Coyote Lake
- Lake Cunningham
- Lake Elsman
- Felt Lake
- Guadalupe Reservoir
- Halls Valley Lake
- Hoover Lake
- Howell Reservoir
- Lagunita
- Laguna Seca
- Lexington Reservoir
- Lone Lake
- Los Alamitos Percolation Ponds
- Lake McKenzie
- Mud Lake
- Oak Springs Reservoir
- Pacheco Reservoir
- Lake Ranch Reservoir
- Sandy Wool Lake
- Shaeirn Lake
- Shoreline Lake
- Sprig Lake
- Stevens Creek Reservoir
- Tisdale Reservoir
- Tule Lake
- Uvas Reservoir
- Vasona Reservoir
- Williams Reservoir
Lakes in Solano County
Solano County is located northeast of the San Francisco Bay. It's a mix of agricultural lands and growing communities, with several lakes and reservoirs that are important for local water needs.
- Lake Chabot
- Lake Dalwigk
- Lake Frey
- Lake Herman
- Little Medora Lake
- Lake Madigan - This lake is partly in Napa County.
- Medora Lake
- Pine Lake
- Puddy Lake
- Suisun Reservoir
- Summit Reservoir
- Swanzy Reservoir
- Terminal Reservoir
Lakes in Sonoma County
Sonoma County, known for its beautiful wine country and coastline, also has many lakes. These water bodies add to the natural beauty of the area and provide various outdoor activities.
- Brush Creek Reservoir
- Dugans Pond
- Fern Lake
- Fountaingrove Lake
- Frog Lake
- Goose Lake
- Gravelly Lake
- Hedgpeth Lake
- Jenner Pond
- Lake Idell
- Lake Ilsanjo
- Lake Josephine
- Laguna Lake - This lake is partly in Marin County.
- Lee Lake
- Lake Lower
- Lytton Lake
- Merlo Lake
- Moonshine Pond
- Lake Oliver
- Onion Pond
- Lake Orth
- Petaluma Reservoir
- Pine Creek Reservoir
- Preston Lake
- Lake Ralphine
- Matanzas Creek Reservoir
- Redwood Lake
- Roberts Lake
- Santa Rosa Creek Reservoir
- Lake Sonoma - A large reservoir created by the Warm Springs Dam.
- Lake Suttonfield
- Tolay Lake
- Toole Pond
- Vineyard Lake
See also
- Hydrography of the San Francisco Bay Area
- List of lakes in California
- List of reservoirs and dams in California
- List of watercourses in the San Francisco Bay Area