Hidden gems - Lakes in San Francisco, United States not to miss (Updated March, 2024)

Hidden gems: Lakes in San Francisco

Discover the city's hidden treasures—remarkable spots that are relatively undiscovered but offer exceptional experiences. Our selection criteria? A rating of 4.5 or higher with fewer than 150 reviews. Explore these lesser-known yet outstanding places that promise a delightful visit in San Francisco. This list contains 44 places from Lake category.

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Within San Francisco

Crissy Field Marsh

Lake

👍👍 The Crissy field marsh is the home of California Brown pelicans. During spring time migrating white pelicans may also pass by here. Besides that, you can also see herds of seagulls and other water birds in this marsh. Besides bird watching, it offers a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge. So...

5.00 (9 reviews) (~4.31 km from centre)

Alpine Pond

Lake

5.00 (7 reviews) (~55.66 km from centre)

Metson Lake

Lake

👍👍 Shhhh. Don't tell anyone about this sweet spot having a little pond, surrounded by a dirt path, with several benches, and lots of tall trees in one of the best city parks in the United States.

4.90 (9 reviews) (~6.26 km from centre)

Lake Ilsanjo

Lake

Formed by a 1950s dam, this man-made lake provides trails & a scenic site for swimming & fishing.

4.90 (9 reviews) (~74.56 km from centre)

Kent Lake

Lake

👍👍 The most distant and difficult to get to of the MMWD lakes, Kent Lake is probably my favorite. The trails out there are the longest and most wild, and the lake itself is surrounded by some of the best scenery, lying between Pine Mountain and Bolinas Ridge. The hike from the Alpine Dam is another way...

4.90 (7 reviews) (~31.76 km from centre)

Lake Lincoln

Lake

👍👍 Nice spot for picnic

4.90 (7 reviews) (~96.02 km from centre)

Stow Lake

Lake

👍👍 Beautiful lake and a short trail surrounding Stow lake. Rent boats, hike and enjoy the waterfall. There is something for everyone.

4.80 (101 reviews) (~4.93 km from centre)

San Andreas Lake

Lake

Situated over tectonic plates, this water source has a paved shoreline trail for hiking & biking.

4.80 (38 reviews) (~20.23 km from centre)

Contra Loma Reservoir

Lake

👍👍 Contra Loma Park is perfect place to hike on winter weather. I was hiking in this park on the first day of February, 2021. It has so many different trails, and some of them are up hill.( great workout). I started at the Black Diamond Mines parking, no entrance fee. My hike was about 5 miles loop, a...

4.80 (34 reviews) (~56.4 km from centre)

Bon Tempe Lake

Lake

👍👍 One of the most beautiful hikes in Marin. Roughly 4 mile loop around the lake. TIP: You must pay for parking. Pay at the ticket kiosk on your way in. $8 for the day. Yes — it’s worth it. And bring a cc or cash — no Apple or Android Pay.

4.80 (32 reviews) (~25.24 km from centre)

Lloyd Lake

Lake

👍👍 Visited this beautiful spot because it was visited in 1912 by Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas, son of Bahá'u'llah, prophet-founder of the Bahá'Í Faith. The pillars, known as "Portals of the Past", are all that remained of one of San Francisco's mansions following the 1906 earthquake and fire. The lawn beyond the...

4.80 (19 reviews) (~5.53 km from centre)

Lagoon

Lake

👍👍 A beautiful Park. I love coming here to hike and walk my dog. Very dog friendly very clean and well-kept.

4.80 (16 reviews) (~70.88 km from centre)

North Lake

Lake

4.80 (11 reviews) (~7.33 km from centre)

Lake Chabot

Lake

👍👍 Nice place to kayak and relax. I see people fishing so there must be fish, but I'm normally on the kayak not looking for fish.

4.80 (8 reviews) (~43.01 km from centre)

Lake Cascade

Lake

👍 Drying out

4.80 (6 reviews) (~24.09 km from centre)

Weatherbee Lake

Lake

👍👍 In 1964, the store @ Weatherbee lake was run by my aunt Ruth and uncle Lee. Anyone remember them? They had two children in the early and mid 1950's, Dale & Anna. Sorry, but they have all passed away.

4.80 (6 reviews) (~98.99 km from centre)

Spreckels Lake

Lake

👍👍 Beautiful lake within Golden Gate Park. There are always ducks there and you have a great view surrounding you. It’s also a good place to get your daily exercise in since you are able to walk around the lake via the path.

4.70 (60 reviews) (~6.57 km from centre)

Loch Lomond

Lake

😐 Extremely rude rangers! I was unaware that dogs were not allowed to swim, instead of being nicely informed I was immediately yelled at very intensely. After apologizing and getting them out of the water, I was pursued again only to be yelled at even more for the same thing. Later, I was pursued agai...

4.70 (52 reviews) (~80.08 km from centre)

Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir

Lake

👍👍 Great hike, clean area!

4.70 (46 reviews) (~27.76 km from centre)

Mayfield Slough

Lake

4.70 (23 reviews) (~46.14 km from centre)

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Hidden gems: Lakes in San Francisco, United States