Lake Berryessa Access Gate — Attraction in Napa Valley AVA

4-9-2024 The lake is full!

A perfect place for a picnic and a swim on a sunny hot day...

Update... Feb 2021 extremely low water levels. Fire clean up still in progress, please take cautions. Update March 9th 2022 Water level is up some, but still not full unfortunately. Nature is reclaiming the fire burned areas and today was just beautiful with so much color of all the spring flowers in bloom. Yellows, Orange, Fuchsia, Blues, Purples and white, a must see. Newly paved roads, new finished bridge that's right before the Turtle Rock Bar, many new guard rails. Picking up every little bit of litter does count. Please have a heart for the places we love to visit and enjoy, there's no need to litter and it doesn't take much effort to leave it clean from litter, there's plenty of trash cans around to be used. Ty to everyone who cares enough to do what's only right. Update... 5-8-2022 Windy but still a nice day, everyday is earth day and we went fishing and as usual, and various items of stuff, at least 5 pairs of socks, who loses their socks? And glass, bottle caps and many plastic items littering around the water. A total of at least 35 lbs of Crap left behind. Remember at the lake and surrounding areas and everywhere else is "Earth Day", please be responsible. Ty Update 9-15-22 The water level is very low. Today we went over by the bridge and parked in that parking lot and walked across the bridge over to the big rock and did a little bit of fishing and had a nice day. Didn't catch anything, but did get some nibbles. To get to that area we had to hike a bit on the trail and we're very upset to see how much trash is left in that hard to get to area. We didn't bring trash bags unfortunately, we would had cleaned it up. It would fill at least 2 big black bags and a real chore to pack it all out of there. There's probably at least $20 worth of aluminum cans and definitely would be worth it for someone to go get them. We are seniors and it was very difficult to even get to that location for us. We're hoping that someone will see this review and help clean it up. We did our best to get most of it in one pile. Please someone please help. Ty Update 9-27-2022 We went back and cleaned up that area. Estimated 100 lbs of trash. The hardest part was getting back up the hills to get out of there packing two 50 gal full garbage bags, at 66 yrs old that was hard to do. For us that's taking a risk. Please help keep it clean. I like to say to leave it nicer and cleaner than when you arrived to enjoy your day. Ty 12-22-2022 It was actually warm in the sun there today. A nice drive to get there and not busy at all. A perfect day to get out and go hang out for a bit. No BBQ pits! Only restrooms are portable potties for now. And please keep our parks litter free, earth day is everyday. 3-10-2023 Today was beautiful! Even was warm and sunny. Watch out for all the mud slides and some areas of wet roads. Slow down and enjoy. Going fast isn't going to get you anywhere faster but for a accident and a hospital stay if you're lucky enough to survive a accident. Apparently up near the Damn there was a accident and emergency vehicles all were there. I don't know what happened, but apparently it wasn't good. 7-27-2023 First off, no briquettes for BBQ, Propane only, bring your own portable BBQ grill that must be propane only. The fire dangers are to risky! Today was a very nice day and not crowded at all. The water was great to go take a float or go swimming. And best of all it's only a couple minutes walk to...

We book from pleasure cove marina now run by Suntex. Being going here for about 12 years now. We always book a houseboat. It's just one hour and thirty minutes from San Francisco during regular traffic. The weather is usually perfect. A new company (Suntex) took over last year and are in the process of upgrading the interiors of all the houseboats and they look great. Pro tips: Drive slowly as it Dave's you considerably on gas and oil which you have to pay for at the end of your stay. The kitchen is stocked with cooking utensils, cups, glasses etc. Blender, toaster microwave, stove, fridge, basically a full kitchen. Bring plastic cups, kitchen towels etc. While cruising is fun it burns fuel as does the generator. Find a good spot asap and get in the water. Bring as much ice as your coolers can hold as its $7 a bag here which is to be expected. Remember you can get your houseboat as early as 8:30 am so get here early so you avail of the whole day. Make sure your houseboat is back by the allotted time which is usually 2 PM on your last day. The deck hands have to check the boats, clean them, they finish work at 5 PM so cut them some slack. If you have beers left over do what we do and give them to the deck hands. Bring a inflatable mattress for extra guests and a sleeping bag or blanket. Bring floaties (inflatables) Bring electric pumps, Sun block, sharp knives, flashlights, oh and I cant stress this enough, get yourself a 5 gallon water container as you will go through a lot of aqua. I bring a britta to filter my tap water. Yes I'm frugal. If your a younger crowd out for a bit of late night drinking grab some pedialyte from Safeway, besf thing in hot weather for a hangover. Download Google maps for offline use on the lake. Coverage is spotty but on the open lake you will get some signal. Bring some movies either on a laptop or DVD as there is entertainment system on the boats. Book well in advance as they do go fast during peak months. If your a group make a plan and hit Costco or Walmart a couple of days in advance for provisions and alcohol. Take your time on the lake, enjoy the crusing and the...

Lake Berryessa is nothing short of a hidden gem nestled in the heart of California's breathtaking landscape. My recent visit left me captivated by the serene beauty and tranquility that this lake offers.

The first thing that struck me was the stunning scenery that surrounds Lake Berryessa. The expansive waters are flanked by rolling hills, creating a picturesque backdrop that invites visitors to unwind and soak in the natural splendor. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or someone seeking a peaceful retreat, this destination has something to offer for everyone.

One of the highlights of my visit was exploring the various recreational activities available. Boating on the lake was an absolute delight, allowing me to appreciate the vastness of the water and the crisp, clean air. For those who prefer to stay on land, the hiking trails provide an opportunity to immerse oneself in the lush greenery and discover hidden viewpoints offering panoramic vistas.

Camping by Lake Berryessa was an experience to remember. The well-maintained campgrounds provide a comfortable setting to spend quality time with friends and family. The starry night sky over the lake created a mesmerizing ambiance, making it a perfect spot for stargazing and connecting with nature.

The facilities around the lake are commendable, with clean restrooms and convenient picnic areas. The staff was friendly and helpful, adding to the overall positive experience.

Whether you're seeking adventure or simply want to unwind by the water, Lake Berryessa is a destination that won't disappoint. It's a haven of tranquility where the beauty of nature takes center stage. I highly recommend a visit to this enchanting lake for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of...