Santa Margarita Lake

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Margarita Dawn
Margarita Wildlife
Margarita Sunset
4695b Santa Margarita Lake Rd, Santa Margarita, CA, United States
4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road Santa Margarita California 93453 US
Marina Store: (805) 438-1522, Park: (805)788-2415Marina Store: (805) 438-1522, Park: (805)788-2415

Current weather/conditions at Santa Margarita! Current weather/conditions at Santa Margarita!

Created by the construction of the Salinas Dam in 1941, Santa Margarita Lake was originally designed to furnish water to Camp San Luis Obispo. Today, swimming in the lake is not permitted as it is the drinking water reservoir for the City of San Luis Obispo.

Beyond the developed area of the park, Santa Margarita Lake natural area represents several thousand acres of designated open space. This section of the park is managed for its natural resource values, passive recreational use, and environmental education opportunities. The area is accessible to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. Motor vehicles are not permitted in the natural area. With thousands of acres of unspoiled open space, the park is home to countless species of plants and wildlife making it the perfect location for nature study, boating, and fishing.

Park Hours

Marina Store/Boat Rentals Hours of Operation:

Monday: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Saturday: 8:00am – 4:00pm

Sunday: 8:00am – 4:00pm

 

Entry Fees
Day Use $10 Vehicle Registration
$40 Bus Registration
$10 Boat Decontamination
$10 Boat Motorized
Annual Passes $100 Vehicle
$100 Boat

Rocky Mountain Recreation operates under a special use permit as a concessionaire for the San Luis Obispo County Parks. Rocky Mountain Recreation has no authority to override the above listed fees.

For more information on Park entry fees and annual passes click here.

Boating & Rentals

BOAT RENTALS
To rent a fishing boat, you must provide a valid driver’s license, be 18 years of age or older, and have the deposit amount available by credit card or cash. All boat rental fees include fuel, personal flotation devices, paddles and an anchor. The maximum lake speed limit is 30 mph except where posted otherwise.

Boats are rented out until 2.5 hours before the close of the store.  Store closes 1 hour before sunset.

2 Hours Half Day
All Day
Pedal Boat $40.00 $80.00 $150.00
14′ Fishing Boat $80.00 $140.00 $240.00
Pontoon $190.00 $300.00 $580.00
Kayak – Single $40.00 $80.00 $150.00
Kayak – Double $50.00 $90.00 $150.00

All Boats must be back by 4:00pm or you will be charged an additional two hours for every twenty minutes past 4:00pm.

Boat Rentals include lifejackets, fuel and or paddles.

Deposits : Pontoon – $350.00 | 14′ Fishing Boat – $150.00 | Canoes, Paddleboats and Kayaks – $100.00

Boat Safety Limits:
14′ Fishing Boat – 4 Persons or 750 pounds.
Pontoon Boat – 8 Persons or 1210 pounds.
Single Kayak – 1 Persons or 250 pounds.
Double Kayak – 2 Persons or 490 pounds.
Paddleboat- 4 Persons or 740 pounds.
Canoe – 2 Persons or 722 pounds.

Rental prices subject to change without notice.

Park Information

LAKE RULES
California boating and fishing laws are strictly enforced. – Do not operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol. – Personal flotation devices are required by law. – All boats must be off the lake and secured by posted times. – Minimum boat length is 8 feet. All rubber rafts must have 3 inflatable chambers and a hard durable floor. Boats not meeting these standards must be approved by park staff. Fishing is permitted only during the posted park operating hours. For fishing regulations, visit the California Department of Fish and Game.

CAMPING
San Luis Obispo County Parks currently operates a campground containing 60 primitive campsites (no hook-ups) and reservations can be made up to one year in advance. Visit http://www.slocountyparks.com for reservations.

PICNIC AREAS / HIKING TRAILS
Surrounding the park you’ll find a vast range of hiking and riding trails to enjoy. Individual picnic sites with shade, ample seating, larger barbecues and other amenities are found throughout the park. The park does host one large group site used often for family reunions, company picnics, club barbeques or special events, and can be reserved year-round. Visithttp://www.slocountyparks.com for reservations.

SWIMMING POOL
A public swimming pool open from Memorial Day weekend and through Labor Day Monday is located within the park. Visit http://www.slocountyparks.com for reservations or call (805)781-5930.

Services

FISHING / BOATING
Santa Margarita Lake is noted for its excellent fishing and peaceful boating. Cast your line into Santa Margarita Lake and you’ll find hungry redear, spotted bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill. Fish from shore, use one of the launch ramps, or try your luck from a boat available to rent at the Marina.

Marina Store

Don’t worry if you forgot anything or need to get some lunch.  The Marina store has wood, ice, sundries, soda, beer, ice cream, fishing and camping gear, as well as groceries for sale.

Additional Information

DIRECTIONS
Driving north or south on Highway 101 take the Highway 58 exit into Santa Margarita. Follow thru town and look for Highway 58 signs. At the end of town you will turn right onto Highway 58. This is also referred to as Santa Margarita Lake Road or Pozo Road. Follow this road for approximately 6 miles to Santa Margarita Lake Road. Do NOT turn left onto Highway 58. You want to continue straight until you get to Santa Margarita Lake Road. Turn left (the Rinconada Store will be on your right). Entrance to Santa Margarita Lake is at the end of this road.
Click here for Google Map

Margarita Dawn 8 years ago
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Margarita Wildlife 8 years ago
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Margarita Sunset 8 years ago
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Boating & Rentals

BOAT RENTALS
To rent a fishing boat, you must provide a valid driver’s license, be 18 years of age or older, and have the deposit amount available by credit card or cash. All boat rental fees include fuel, personal flotation devices, paddles and an anchor. The maximum lake speed limit is 30 mph except where posted otherwise.

Boats are rented out until 2.5 hours before the close of the store.  Store closes 1 hour before sunset.

2 Hours Half Day
All Day
Pedal Boat $40.00 $80.00 $150.00
14′ Fishing Boat $80.00 $140.00 $240.00
Pontoon $190.00 $300.00 $580.00
Kayak – Single $40.00 $80.00 $150.00
Kayak – Double $50.00 $90.00 $150.00

All Boats must be back by 4:00pm or you will be charged an additional two hours for every twenty minutes past 4:00pm.

Boat Rentals include lifejackets, fuel and or paddles.

Deposits : Pontoon – $350.00 | 14′ Fishing Boat – $150.00 | Canoes, Paddleboats and Kayaks – $100.00

Boat Safety Limits:
14′ Fishing Boat – 4 Persons or 750 pounds.
Pontoon Boat – 8 Persons or 1210 pounds.
Single Kayak – 1 Persons or 250 pounds.
Double Kayak – 2 Persons or 490 pounds.
Paddleboat- 4 Persons or 740 pounds.
Canoe – 2 Persons or 722 pounds.

Rental prices subject to change without notice.