Good Lake for SUP in Southern California?

[BossManD]

I'm trying to find a lake in southern california (closer to LA is better) that has good conditions for SUP (easy waterfront access, calm wind, good area to explore, minimal wake from boats, etc.)  Anyone have any suggestions?  Lake Cachuma is one of my favorite but they don't allow swimming so SUP is out too.

Thanks in advance.

[H2Oman]

I was planning on taking the boards one morning up to Lake Piru.  Piru is just past Magic Mountain, off the 126 heading towards Filmore.  Not too far of a drive if you avoid traffic.  I've been too busy to go, but still have it on the agenda.  I"m planning on hitting the Venice canals for fun too.

Let me know where you end up going.

[BossManD]

I just looked at the website but it says personal watercraft are prohibited!

[Strand Leper]

Most lakes around LA are run by the various water districts and therefore do not allow swimming... I would check out Puddingstone in San Dimas... or Pyramid Lake up the Grapevine...

Bummer about being a desert...

Tim

[surfcowboy]

If you want an easy paddle in the LA area. Hit Mother's Beach in Marina Del Rey. There's a pretty good sized group of regulars there. Mellow water and a good 4 mile loop out to the breakwater or just putt around near the beach and it's pancake flat.

[BossManD]

I see that Lake Cachuma recently changed their regulations to allow kayaks and canoes. Anyone know if that includes SUPs?

[fumanii]

Can you paddle in Lake Elsinore?    That looks pretty cool.   
  I like paddling around in Alamitos Bay in Long Beach.  I gotta try Mother's.   

[TallDude]

Lake Gregory, Crestline -very small. Lake Perris, swimming, kayaking, etc. OK. Silverwood Lake,  swimming, etc. OK. Big Bear Lake, swimming, SUP'g, OK (with a permit). Lake Arrowhead, OK but private. Got to know someone....

[adios pantalones]

I just looked at the website but it says personal watercraft are prohibited!

By personal watercraft, (PWC) they mean jetski/waverunner type of things.

Paddle craft may be fine.

[SUP Sports ®]

I see that Lake Cachuma recently changed their regulations to allow kayaks and canoes. Anyone know if that includes SUPs?

Aloha BossManD,
No it does not...we have been working behind the scenes to make this happen...allowing for a number of concessions...and, were DENIED...don't have the time right now to go into it...but, I guarantee it will happen...as soon as I get a chance to come up for air, we will mount a spirited effort...who's in?

We were also denied back in 2002/2003 when we tried to get windsurfing and kiteboarding allowed...we have a MUCH stronger case now that kayaks and canoes are allowed...including sit on tops...

We demonstrated to the powers that be in SB County that the SUP's were stable and folks weren't going to be flopping around in the water any more than yakkers...in fact, we paddled in our street clothes...nobody tries to fall in...and, that SUP's are greener than the 2 stroke engines that are allowed in this drinking H20 reservoir...etc...yada...yada...yada...

Lake paddling is fun...we were the first standup paddlers and SUP windsurfers at Lake Lopez back in the halcyon days of SUP...and, Lake Nacimiento...as well as a few others that I won't mention...;-)

My wife was among the very first wahines to standup paddle California...could have been the first...didn't see many back in 2005/2006...but, the pioneering days are still out there...we standup paddled a High Sierra lake last summer for the first time...load up the camper and make it happen...

[AirJunky]

Can you paddle in Lake Elsinore?    That looks pretty cool.  

Smellsomore?
SkySkied there several times over the last 10 yrs or so. Typically really nasty water. And tons of traffic a good portion of the day if it's hot out. Off season, or at least off hours, it might be better.

Canyon Lake is nice. But it's a gated community so you'll have to know someone.

[SUP Sports ®]

Lake Cachuma is one of my favorite but they don't allow swimming so SUP is out too.

Thanks in advance.

Great news!
There will be an official press release in the next few days...but, you'll be stoked to know that our behind the scene efforts in working with the powers that be, has resulted in a 6 month trial period window for standup paddling on Cachuma...

The best weather of the year at Cachuma, for flatwater paddling/touring, is coming up...Indian Summer...

It looks like having our parks department being able to make decisions at the local level was the turning point in finally allowing human powered recreation on this lake...I'm pretty stoked after more than 10 years of trying to convince others higher up on the bureaucratic food chain...;-)

I'll post more info as soon as it comes in...

Hopefully, the trial will be successful and the county realizes some much needed extra revenue from a new and healthy sport...paddle on...

[SoCalSupper]

Sweet but everyone knows the best lake paddling in all Cali is Salton Sea!!
google "Bombay Beach" and discover the secret!

[SUP Sports ®]

It's official...standup paddling is now allowed on Lake Cachuma...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2011/09/lake-cachuma-sup.html

[H2Oman]

Thanks for the update Wardog.  Every time we've driven by that lake we always talk about taking boards out.  Fingers crossed the trial works out.