San Pablo Reservoir

Summer Fun

Welcome to San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Area located minutes from the urban centers of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

This scenic 1,000-acre park and reservoir provide picnicing, hiking, biking, jogging, fishing, and sailing. With longer days, you can visit for the day or just a few hours. Come enjoy some of the best flat water canoeing and kayaking in the East Bay (kayak rentals are available).

Park Details

Location: 7301 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante, CA

San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Area is located between the towns of Orinda and El Sobrante on San Pablo Dam Road. The reservoir and park are accessible from State Highway 24 and 80.

Hours: San Pablo Recreation area is open from sunrise to approximately one hour before sunset; hours vary depending on the time of year. Please see Fees and Hours below for more details.

Fees: See the document below for information on entry fees, launch fees and boat rental fees.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome at San Pablo Recreation Area in west side parking lots, picnic areas and paved roads. Dogs are not allowed in any boat or in the reservoir. Please keep dogs on a leash (6 foot maximum) and no more than three dogs per person.

Things to Do

Picnicking
Near the children’s playground, lawn and visitor center/café, San Pablo’s picnic sites have great lake views. Sites have tables and barbeques, and a few have gazebos. There are 9 group picnic sites (4 with gazebos) which can be reserved for $60 to $260. See below for more information.

Fishing
San Pablo Reservoir is stocked regularly with trout and catfish, and is known as one of the finest fisheries in the East Bay. Pick up a fishing license, bait and tackle at the visitor center, and talk with knowledgeable staff who can give you tips on the best fishing spots.

Boat Rentals
Patio boats, deluxe motor boats, kayaks and rowboats are available for rental every day. Aluminum fishing boats have a four-stroke motor, great for fishing and cruising. SPECIAL: Rent a boat six times and receive a free 1/2 day weekday rental.

Boat Launch
San Pablo’s six-lane boat launch facility is open daily (including holidays) for motor boats, kayaks and canoes. All boats must be inspected before launch to prevent Quagga Mussels from entering EBMUD waters.

Kayaking/Canoeing
You’ll find some of the best flat water kayaking and canoeing in the East Bay at San Pablo. Rent tandem and single kayaks for the day or a just few hours, and  paddle along 14 miles of shoreline. You’ll discover sandy beaches, great fishing, and interesting wildlife.

Hiking
See trails map below for information on trails near San Pablo Recreation Area, including the Old San Pablo Dam Road trail which connects to Kennedy Grove and Briones Reservoir trails. More information on EBMUD trails available here.

Wildlife
See flocks of white pelicans, geese, ducks, and shorebirds, and along the trails, upland species like wild turkey, quail and dove, plus predators such as eagles, ospreys, hawks, and owls. Also be on the lookout for deer and bobcats.

Contact

email: recreate@ebmud.com
phone: (510) 223-1661
www.rockymountainrec.com

Park Information

The documents below are PDF files which can be viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free software.

Invasive Mussel Prevention

Learn about new requirements for boaters that help prevent the introduction of this invasive mussel into EBMUD waters.

Resources

San Pablo Recreation Area Fishing Advisory
Recreation Fees