Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in a vast cultural and natural landscape.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
Outdoors
Fishing near Santa Clara
Lakes, rivers and recreation areas near Santa Clara where fishing is allowed, closest first.
Good to know: Anyone 16 or older generally needs a state fishing license; seasons, limits and special rules vary by water. California license information ↗
Within 30 miles (1)
30 to 75 miles (16)
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK)
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
An area of 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary protects the wildlife and habitats of one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world.
- Boating
- Diving
- Fishing
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Contra Loma Reservoir
Contra Loma Dam and reservoir are part of the Central Valley Project - Delta Division and offers recreational opportunities for the East Bay area near San Francisco.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Battery Kirby. Visitors are awarded breathtaking views of San Francisco, its famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the rugged Pacific Coast of northern California.
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Water Access
S F Bay Model Regional Visitor Center
The Bay Model was built in 1957 as a research tool to test the impact of proposed changes to San Francisco Bay and its related waterways.
- Boating
- Fishing
- History
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
This 367-acre coastal National Wildlife Refuge is located where the Salinas River empties into Monterey Bay.
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Wildlife viewing
San Luis Lake and State Wildlife Area
Recreation facilities at San Luis Lake were constructed under a cost-share agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of Colorado during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Water sports
San Justo Reservoir
San Justo Dam and Reservoir are features of the San Felipe Project. The reservoir is approximately 3 miles southwest of Hollister, California . Facilities open for use Wednesday through Sunday. Operation hours: sunrise to sunset.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Paddling
O'Neill Forebay
O'Neill Dam and Forebay are joint Federal-State facilities located on San Luis Creek 2.5 miles downstream from San Luis Dam. O'Neill Forebay Dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - San Joaquin Division - San Luis Unit .
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
San Luis Reservoir
Recreation area lakes include O'Neill Forebay, San Luis Reservoir, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Ranger programs
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
- Winter sports
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
In response to rapidly disappearing wetlands and its prime location within the Pacific Flyway, the refuge was created in 1974 to protect migratory birds, wetland habitat, and endangered species.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Photography
- Ranger programs
Los Banos Reservoir
The Los Banos Dam and Reservoir are on Los Banos Creek above the San Luis Canal, near Los Banos, California. The dam and reservoir are features on the Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit .
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Coyote Point
Coyote Point sits along New Hogan Lake in the brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Swimming
- Water Access
75 miles and farther (6)
Arroyo Seco
Arroyo Seco Campground is a semi-rustic, but developed facility in California's westernmost national forest.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Deer Flat Boat In Campground
New Hogan Dam and Lake is located in the oak- and brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The 4,400 acre lake was created in 1964 with the completion of New Hogan Dam.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water Access
- Wildlife viewing
Observation Point Picnic Shelter (Ca)
New Hogan Dam and Lake is located in the oak- and brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The 4,400 acre lake was created in 1964 with the completion of New Hogan Dam.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
Acorn Campground
Acorn Campground is a sunny campground in the brush-covered hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area is generally characterized by a warm, dry climate with summer temperatures regularly soaring above 90 degrees.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities.
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Nature education
Oak Knoll Campground
Oak Knoll Campground sits along New Hogan Lake in the brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Recreation Boating is a popular pastime, with boat ramps conveniently located around the lake.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Santa Clara. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near Santa Clara
- Hiking near Santa Clara
- Camping near Santa Clara
- Boating and kayaking near Santa Clara
- Biking and mountain biking near Santa Clara
- Picnic spots near Santa Clara
- Horseback riding near Santa Clara
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Santa Clara
- Swimming holes and lakes near Santa Clara
- Parks in Santa Clara
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for fishing near Santa Clara?
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 14 miles northwest of Santa Clara as the crow flies. Next are Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) (40 mi) and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (41 mi).
Do I need a fishing license near Santa Clara?
Yes, anglers 16 and older generally need a California fishing license from the state wildlife agency. Rules, seasons and limits vary by water.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.