Napa County, Northern California
Lake Berryessa
Lake Berryessa
BOATING
MARINAS
FISHING
CAMPING
LODGING
SCENERY
Lake Berryessa
In the summer Lake Berryessa is above all else, a water skiing and wake boarding mecca. But fishing is right there in a close second place.
Located in the Pacific Coast Range, 55 miles north of San Francisco, Lake Berryessa draws people from all over the region. The lake rests among low hills covered with oak and manzanita. Lake Berryessa and the surrounding area are managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.
In recent years many of the concessions at the lake have changed hands when their contracts expired. The Bureau of Reclamation has come under fire for the way they have handled the bidding process, compensation to previous resort owners, and the transition to new ownership. The Pensus Group, which acquired contracts to operate most of the resorts, opened some facilities in 2011. Their six recreation areas at the lake are known collectively as Berryessa Shores.
Boating Lake Berryessa
Lake Berryessa is a favorite destination for water skiing, jet skiing, pleasure boating, houseboating, sailing, canoeing and kayaking. Warm summer temperatures make it a great playland for water sports. One free boat launch ramp is located at the southwest end of the lake and a number of private ones are spread along the shore.
Marinas
Currently in early 2011 Lake Berryessa has only two full service marinas. Forever Resorts, which owns marinas at other California lakes, operates the Pleasure Cove Marina at the southern end of Lake Berryessa. The Pensus Group which won the contracts to operate a number of the old marinas and resorts is in the process of renovating them. Among them, Markley Cove is still in operation. The Pensus Group expects to add other marinas soon.
Fishing
Lake Berryessa is home to a wide variety of fish, including largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, brown and rainbow trout, catfish, Chinook salmon, bluegill, catfish, and carp. Anglers have success fishing both from boats and from shore.
Campgrounds
Lake Berryessa has no public campgrounds. There are some private campgrounds around the lake. Since the shuffle of operations of many of the resort properties at Lake Berryessa, some of the old campgrounds have been closed and others operate with limited amenities.
Lodging
The changes at Lake Berryessa have affected the amount of lodging that is available too. A few cabins can be rented at some of the old spots, but little else is available. Because of heavy tourist traffic, prices in the nearby Napa Valley are high.
Scenery
Oak and manzanita cover the hills around Lake Berryessa. Many long inlets and boys give the lake an interesting shoreline.
Nearby Communities
Twelve miles east of Markley Cove is the small town of Winters with shops, restaurants, and lodging. A little farther east are the large communities of Davis and Woodland. To the west lies the Napa Valley with its string of well-known, wine country towns: Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, and Napa.
TOP
| Lake Size: | 18,500 acres |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth: | 275 feet |
| Length: | 20 miles |
| Shoreline: | 165 miles |
| Dam Construction: | 1957 |
| Maximum Lake Elevation: | 440 feet |
| Average Air Temperatures | |
| spring: | 75 degrees |
| summer: | 96 degrees |
| fall: | 80 degrees |
| winter: | 56 degrees |
| Summer Water Temperature: | 78 degrees |
Other Recreation around
Lake Berryessa
- Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: in Calistoga, Visitors Center, Swimming Pool, Camping, Redwood Trail, Fishing,
- Skyline Wilderness Park: 850 Acres near Napa, Disc Golf Course, Hiking Trails, Equestrian, Mountain Biking, Martha Walker Native Habitat Garden, $4 Entrance Fee
- Old Faithful Geyser: in Calistoga, the Geyser erupts about every 30 minutes, shooting 60 - 100 feet in the air, Entrance Fee, Old Faithful Geyser.