Central Lake

CA
Directions to Kite launch 3rd Ave Lower
37.555°N 122.264°W
BoatingPaddling

Photo: James St. John · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Rentals, stays & trips for Central LakePartner links · same price for you
Rent a boat on Central LakePontoons, ski and fishing boats from local ownersBoatsetter Stay near Central LakeLake cabins, vacation homes and hotelsExpedia · Vrbo Fishing charterHalf and full-day trips, gear includedViator Private campsiteWhen the public sites are fullHipcamp

Heads up: Off-season trips are quieter. Many owners still rent on calm, sunny weekends.

Rent a boat on Central LakeBoatsetter · partner link→
Gear up for Central Lake
Folding kayaksOru Kayak Tents, coolers & camp gearREI Sun and rain layersPatagonia Paddle and outdoor gearBackcountry
Partner links
Guides for Central LakeBoat rentals →
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · USGS 3DHP and National Atlas (via Esri)
Chertified fossiliferous limestone (Ft. Payne Limestone, Lower Mississippian; Lake Cumberland, Kentucky, USA) 2 (30748692874).jpg
James St. John · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Encrinite (crinoidal limestone) (Ft. Payne Limestone, Lower Mississippian; Lake Cumberland, Kentucky, USA) 12 (31590121155).jpg
James St. John · CC BY 2.0
Encrinite (crinoidal limestone) (Ft. Payne Limestone, Lower Mississippian; Lake Cumberland, Kentucky, USA) 19 (36658044432).jpg
James St. John · CC BY 2.0
Orlovskoye Polesye National Park, Oryol Oblast.jpg
Vitaly Skovorodnikov · CC BY-SA 4.0

Quick facts

Type
Lake
State
California
Surface area
About 239 acres
Boat ramps
3
Campgrounds
None listed
Fish species
None recorded

Get on the water

Ramps & rentals

Kite launch 3rd Ave Lower

· 0.4 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Kite Launch 3rd Ave Upper

· 0.7 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Boat ramp

· 1.0 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Boat rentals

Rent a boat for Central Lake

Pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats from local owners, with or without a captain.

Affiliate link

Where to stay

Camp near the water

CampgroundsNone listed yet in Recreation.gov or OpenStreetMap for this water.
Public sites full?

Private sites nearby

Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.

Affiliate link
Rather sleep indoors?

Cabins and hotels near Central Lake

Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.

Affiliate link
No rig? No problem

RV delivered to camp

Some owners will drop a trailer at the campground and pick it up when you leave.

Affiliate links

Off the water

Nearby trails

Bay Area Ridge Trail - 04 - San Francisco and Peninsula

The Bay Area Ridge Council · The Bay Area Ridge Council
· 2.2 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.

Before you launch

Gas, bait & supplies nearby

Gas and fuel docks

Bait and tackle

  • REI 1119 Industrial Road, San Carlos · Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa-Su 10:00-19:00
    2.7 miCallDirections
  • Sports Basement 202 Walnut Street, Redwood City · Mo-Fr 11:00-19:00; Sa,Su 10:00-18:00
    3.9 miDirections
  • Backcountry Mo-Sa 10:00-19:00; Su 11:00-18:00
    8.4 miDirections
  • Fjällräven 230 University Avenue, Palo Alto · Mo-Sa 11:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00
    8.6 miDirections

Groceries and ice

  • LuckyIce 919 Edgewater Boulevard, Foster City
    0.1 miDirections
  • SafewayIce 921 East Hillsdale Boulevard, Foster City · 24/7
    0.1 miCallDirections
  • 99 Ranch MarketIce 1070 Foster City Boulevard, Foster City · Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
    0.2 miCallDirections
  • India Cash and CarryIce 750 Alma Lane, Foster City · Mo-Su 09:00-21:00
    0.2 miDirections

RV dump and fresh water

Ranger stations

  • Foothills Park
    13.3 miDirections
  • Joaquin Miller Park Ranger Station
    17.3 miDirections
  • Golden Gate National Recreation Area Park Headquarters
    18.4 miDirections
  • Presidio Officers' Club 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco
    18.7 miDirections

Hospitals and urgent care

  • UCSF Health
    1.0 miDirections
  • Kaiser Permanente San Mateo Medical Offices 1000 Franklin Parkway
    1.1 miDirections
  • Dignity Health Medical Group Sequoia 1301 Shoreway, Belmont · Mo-Th 08:00-18:00; Fr 08:00-17:00; Sa,Su off
    1.2 miDirections
  • Select Physical Fitness 268 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City
    1.4 miCallDirections

Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.

Trip planner

Build your weekend

How many days
Who's coming
Main thing

Packing list

Don't forget

Good to know

Central Lake FAQ

Can you rent a boat on Central Lake?

Yes. Boat rentals for Central Lake can be searched on Boatsetter, where local owners list pontoons, ski boats and fishing boats, some with a captain. Availability changes by season, so book early for summer weekends. Public launches include Kite launch 3rd Ave Lower, Kite Launch 3rd Ave Upper, Boat ramp.

Where can I launch a boat on Central Lake?

Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: Kite launch 3rd Ave Lower, Kite Launch 3rd Ave Upper, Boat ramp. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.

Is there gas near Central Lake?

The closest listed fuel is Hillsdale Arco Auto Repair, about 0.1 miles from the water.

Where can I buy bait near Central Lake?

Bait and tackle nearby: REI (2.7 mi), Sports Basement (3.9 mi), Backcountry (8.4 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.

Keep exploring

Nearby water

Lake Merritt17 miSoquel Creek40 miRussian River79 mi · 170 cfsFolsom Lake103 mi · 40% full

Sources: USGS 3DHP and National Atlas (rivers via Esri Living Atlas), Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.