Lakes and rivers near Santa Barbara
6 lakes and rivers within about 180 miles of Santa Barbara, closest first, with boat rentals, camping and fishing for each.
90% full
Lake · CA · 63 mi from Santa Barbara
Castaic Lake
LA County's go-to for striped bass and a separate no-wake lagoon.
25% full
Lake · CA · 110 mi from Santa Barbara
Lake Isabella
Kern River Valley reservoir, wind-friendly for sailing and windsurfing.
River · CA · 116 mi from Santa Barbara
Kern River
Steep Sierra whitewater above Lake Isabella, and trout below the dam.
Lake · CA · 144 mi from Santa Barbara
Lake Elsinore
Natural lake with open-speed boating and a lakefront campground.
Lake · CA · 160 mi from Santa Barbara
Big Bear Lake
Mountain lake at 6,750 ft with pontoon rentals and pine-shaded camping.
Lake · CA · 161 mi from Santa Barbara
Diamond Valley Lake
Southern California's largest reservoir and a serious bass fishery.
Distances are straight-line miles from the city center. Drive times are longer in the mountains.