Top 16 Lakes around Bolinas

The Bolinas area is rich in wildlife. At Bolinas Lagoon, you can spot exceptional birdlife, especially during migration along the Pacific Flyway, including ducks, herons, and pelicans. Harbor seals are frequently seen on the islands and sandbars, particularly from April through June. The lagoon also supports threatened and endangered steelhead and coho salmon. Freshwater lakes like Bass Lake are surrounded by willows, tules, and sedges, with Douglas fir stands on the slopes.

Yes, Bass Lake is well-known as one of the best lakes for swimming in the Bay Area, offering good access points and warmer water compared to the Pacific Ocean.

You can hike to Bass Lake via the Palomarin Trailhead, which is a popular moderate day hike. The Lagunitas Trail offers an easy, mostly level gravel road experience around Lake Lagunitas. Near Bolinas Lagoon, the Bob Stewart Trail meanders through groves of alders and willows, and Audubon Canyon Ranch provides additional hiking trails from mid-March through mid-July. For more options, explore the easy hikes around Bolinas.

Yes, Bolinas Lagoon offers opportunities for peaceful paddling, allowing you to get closer to the diverse birdlife and harbor seals.

Absolutely. The road across Alpine Dam, which forms Alpine Lake, is a suitable place to ride as part of a loop around the lake. The Bolinas to Fairfax Road also offers a scenic cycling experience through magnificent trees and past lakes. You can find more cycling options in the cycling guide for Bolinas.

Bolinas Lagoon is a vast 1,100-acre tidal estuary recognized as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, an Audubon Important Bird Area, and part of the NOAA Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Its pristine marshes and mudflats are crucial for migrating birds and harbor seals, making it an ecologically vital area.

Yes, Lagunitas Trail around Lake Lagunitas is an easy, mostly level path suitable for families. Bass Lake is also considered family-friendly, offering a great swimming spot after a moderate hike.

For birdwatching, the lagoon is excellent year-round, with ducks prominent in winter, herons in spring, and pelicans in summer. Great egret and great blue heron nestlings can be observed in May and June. April through June are considered the best months for spotting harbor seals.

Pelican Lake is known for its gorgeous views, tucked in a coastal pocket with lush vegetation. From the trail above it, you can often see the ocean through a notch in the hills. The Bolinas to Fairfax Road also offers magnificent trees and lovely lake views.

Visitors appreciate the diverse natural beauty, from the rich estuarine environment of Bolinas Lagoon to the serene freshwater lakes. Many enjoy the opportunity for swimming in the sweet, warmer waters of Bass Lake, the peaceful hikes around lakes like Lagunitas, and the abundant wildlife viewing, especially birdwatching and seal spotting.

Yes, the area features several lakes formed by dams. Alpine Dam forms Alpine Lake, and Bon Tempe Dam holds the waters of Bon Tempe Lake, which sits above Alpine Lake. These areas offer great opportunities for hiking and mountain biking.