San Luis Reservoir — Attraction in Los Banos

Sunrise in mid-May was beautiful here. As I left the Bay Area in the early morning, it was still enshrouded in thick fog and cloud cover. The "Marine Layer." Unbeknownst to me, I would stumble across this inland beauty amidst the golden hills, entering the central valley as I made my way southward to Los Angeles. At around 700 AM, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful, seemingly sizable body of water and was taken aback. As I drove along, the full reservoir came into view, and manmade or not, it has all the beauty of nature to offer. I pulled over to take it all in and was glad I did. There were horses in the golden grass beneath the overpass I was looking down from, playing amidst a grove of emerald-green oak trees near the water's edge. As the sun's first beams illuminated the hills behind me, revealing all of spring's colors - golden grass interspersed with California's treasured golden oak - rolling hills met the royal blue horizon, which met the extent of the lake's brazen blue waters at the skyline. It was so very relaxing. It's a great rest spot. As I drove along, I saw that there were quite busy campgrounds, and many families were taking in the same views. I imagine it would make for a nice summer camping staycation that is easily accessible. Yet another one of California's...

Great place to catch a bass or two. Beware of the sudden wind changes at times, mostly in the spring and fall. Also check the water levels before you go. I like it best when the Res is full in mid October for the top water bite from a boat or even the bank is good. Rattle snakes beware also hooks and lures stuck in the ground. Oh don't forget to hide your bait the birds will take it quick. I really like this place, but fishing here successfully can be difficult at times so don't give up to quick. The morning bite is the ticket and most fisherman here will tell you that. Bass up to 100lb /sturgeon up to 200lbs Oh ya 100lb fish don't forget the off and sunscreen for sure. Hiking here is pretty good too if you like walking around looking at wildlife you will see alot including Huge Elk during the morning hours around the baysalt...

San Luis reservoir used to be my favorite destination couldn't wait to put in a week's worth of work to get out on the weekend at good old San Luis then they kicked me out of my fishing spot made it to where you have to walk a long distance to get there being disabled that did not work for me it was so much easier to just park by the water and fish by my vehicle but no they screwed it up I used to sit there in the evening and watch people fish with five six poles each catch their limit of stripers plus some and never be bothered but they had the gall to take my fishing spot I don't go here anymore the prices went up they took my three different fishing spots away and did not help me out at all as a handicapped person and a Vietnam vet like I said I will never return here and that's what I...