Hidden Wonder of Napa Valley

The "Glory Hole" Lake Berryessa's Mysterious Drain ✨ Calling all nature lovers & photographers! If jaw-dropping landscapes are your thing, Lake Berryessa’s Glory Hole is a must-see! Picture this: standing lakeside, watching water swirl into a giant "black hole"—like stepping into a sci-fi movie! 🌌📸 💡 About Lake Berryessa: Located in Napa County, CA , this is the region’s largest lake and California’s 7th biggest reservoir. Nestled in the Vaca Mountains , it was created in the 1950s by the Monticello Dam on Putah Creek. Since the 1960s, it’s supplied water and hydro power to the Bay Area . 💦⚡ 🌊 What’s the "Glory Hole"? This iconic bell-mouth spillway (officially the Glory Hole ) sits near Monticello Dam. When water levels rise past 440 ft (134 m) , the lake drains through this 72-ft (22 m) wide vortex , plunging 200 ft (61 m) at speeds up to 48,000 cfs (1,360 m³/s) —a hypnotizing natural spectacle! 🕳️💧 🚗 Getting There: ~2 hrs from SF. 🎥 Best Time to Visit: After heavy rains (dry seasons = no show!). 📸 Pro Tips for the Perfect Shot: ✅ Drone required! Aerial views = next-level drama! 🚁 ✅ Golden hour magic! Afternoon light makes the water glow. 🌅 ✅ Safety first! Stay far from the spillway—its currents are deadly. (A tragic accident occurred in 1997.) ⚠️ #CaliforniaTravel #NapaValley #SFBayArea #HiddenGems #WeekendVibes #RoadTripGoals #NaturePhotography