Place to take kid... ?

Looking for places to take kid swimming or kayaking that has "reasonably" clean water.
Closer to the bay area the better.

Any suggestion?

For starter:
Del Valle - not so clean water. I hate they check every water in the kayak .

Quarry Lakes - Fremont?
Haven't swam there in years. 

Shadow Cliffs?

I tried to take my kids kayaking/swimming but most if not all around the bay area doesn't allow swimming. Let us know if you find any. I gave up a few years ago and just started taking my kids to MBK more.

Try Yorty Creek at Lake Sonoma.

Hi Chet

If you just want to paddle, check out any of the lagoons in 650.  I swim in the morning on my way to work at RWS Lagoon opposite Oracle.  SUP, yakers, a crew teams there frequently.  You can park and launch free out of Marlin Park. 

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=29081.0

RWS water quality reports

https://www.redwoodcity.org/departments/public-works/storm/redwood-shores-lagoon

In the South Bay, Anderson Lake, altho it picks up a TON of boat traffic during summer.  U cd prolly also pull a stealth mission at Uvas, Chesbro, and Lexington, where enforcement is low.  Lexington has the added benefit of dinker bass that are a lot of fun for kids 2 tug on.  SUP'd there 3 wx ago with my 6 yo boy and he was excited dragging a little beetle spin for bass fry.  Watch out for the wind tho, can pick up in PM big time

Hearts desire back in tomales is nice for both

Lots of people are swimming in Berryessa and Folsom & fisheries pretty good in Berry.

I would avoid Clear lake tho...

Keep them coming guys...
I'll make the list and visit through google view one at a time, then plan to do a real visit.

I have tried:
Quarry Lakes - Fremont?
They have the red tape of checking every drop of water coming from kayak. Water is pretty good.

Shadow Cliffs? Water is not clean.

Yorty creek lake Sonoma

Not sure what other poster was referring to but Del Valle is a great place to yak and swim with kids. Yes the inspections are a PITA.

My go to places:

Hearts Desire Beach - Nice picnic tables and showers.  Get a bag of local oysters along the way and have a great BBQ.

Del Monte Beach / MBK area - Decent fishing and usually calm conditions.

Shadow Cliffs Pleasanton - Very nice beach and facilities. Distance swimmers regularly swim here in the mornings crossing the lake. I fish there regularly during trout season and mussel inspections were always easy.

Quarry Lakes Fremont - Closed to swimming because of algae bloom.

... and Lexington, where enforcement is low.  Lexington has the added benefit of dinker bass that are a lot of fun for kids 2 tug on.  SUP'd there 3 wx ago with my 6 yo boy and he was excited dragging a little beetle spin for bass fry.  Watch out for the wind tho, can pick up in PM big time

I have practiced self-rescue at Lexington, but as for swimming, I don't think I'd do any more than put a toe in the water. Seems to me that rangers do patrol there pretty regularly.

Keep them coming guys...
I'll make the list and visit through google view one at a time, then plan to do a real visit.

I have tried:
Quarry Lakes - Fremont?
They have the red tape of checking every drop of water coming from kayak. Water is pretty good.

Shadow Cliffs? Water is not clean.

Last time I was there ( Shadow Cliffs ) the water was so clear I was sight casting bass under trees.

Yorty creek lake Sonoma

This is a great option. Can’t go wrong with Berryessa either. Or Spring Lake in Santa Rosa.

Also consider just about any public beach on the Russian River.


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