Known in the East Bay as one of the finest fisheries, San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Area lies between Orinda and El Sobrante off San Pablo Dam Road and offers a wide variety of exciting recreation services.  An angler's paradise, the reservoir is open from mid-February through October and is closed during the migratory bird season as part of EBMUD's wildlife enhancement program. 

San Pablo Reservoir is an EBMUD drinking water reservoir so swimming and wading is prohibited and to reduce the possibility of gasoline components in the reservoir, only four-cycle engines using MTBE-free gasoline are allowed.  Some of the many services offered at the reservoir include:

• Fishing (smallmouth bass, white sturgeon, bluegill and crappie)
• Regular fish planting (trout and catfish)
• Fishing licenses
• Boating (including a paved, 8-lane boat launch ramp)
• Rental boats (patio, deluxe, motor and row boats)
• Picnic areas (including 2 group picnic sites available for reservation)
• Hiking and biking trails
• 2 stores (gift items & fishing equipment)
• Snack bar and short order grill
• Children's play area
• Senior and disabled persons discounts

Important Information for Weekday Boaters

The San Pablo Recreation Area boat launch is open Thursday through Sunday and all major holidays.  All boats coming in to the boat launch will be inspected for invasive species and standing water. If there is any standing water in your boat, you will not be allowed to launch.  Please check your boat prior to coming in to the park and leave extra time for the inspection process. For detailed inspection requirements, click here.

Cartop boats are now allowed to launch at the main recreation area everyday with a 7 or 30 day inspection clearance only.  If you do not have a signed/stamped inspection form, you will not be able to launch.  Inspection forms must be taken inside the visitors center for launch access.  Inspections are not performed at the main recreation area and are performed at the boat launch Thursday through Sunday only.  All applicable fees must still be paid.  Signed/stamped inspection clearance forms from all other EBMUD reservoirs will be accepted at San Pablo as well.  Remember, dogs are never allowed in any boat on San Pablo Reservoir.

Directions to San Pablo Recreation Area

From Concord/Walnut Creek
Travel Southbound on Highway 680 to Highway 24 west.  Take the Orinda Exit and stay right towards Richmond & Orinda Village.  Merge to the left onto Camino Pablo and travel approximately 8 miles through the town of Orinda. Camino Pablo turns into San Pablo Dam Rd. You'll start to see the reservoir on your right, and the entrance to the park follows on your right.

From Oakland
Travel Eastbound on Highway 24 through the Caldecott Tunnel. Take the Orinda exit off the freeway and make a left onto Camino Pablo. You'll go under the freeway and travel approximately 8 miles through the town of Orinda. Camino Pablo turns into San Pablo Dam Rd. You'll start to see the reservoir on your right, and the entrance to the park follows on your right.

For more information on recreation activities and fees at San Pablo Reservoir, view these PDF files which can be viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free software.   

• San Pablo Fees (49kb)
• Park Hours and Boat Launch Information (246kb)
• 2008 All Recreation Fees (47kb)
• EBMUD's Recreation Locations and Activities Chart (34kb)
• Updated Boat Motor Regulations (127kb)

Urban Park Concessionaires also provides information on the San Pablo Recreation Area including fish plants, fishing reports and more!

IMPORTANT! 

Interim Health Advisory for Eating Fish Caught in San Pablo Reservoir

EBMUD, in association with local county health services and other affected water districts have been participating in a review of fish tissue samples collected at 10 reservoirs in the greater Bay Area.  As a result of these meetings, we are posting the interim consumption advisory at San Pablo Reservoir and a fact sheet compiled by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

These PDF files can be viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free software.   

• Interim Health Advisory for Eating Fish Caught in San Pablo Reservoir (pdf 56 kb)
• Chemicals in Fish from Ten Reservoirs in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and Marin Counties (pdf 66 kb)

For more information, contact recreate@ebmud.com or call (510) 223-1661.

back to top