Home
Home     About     Where To Watch     Partners     Wildlife Stories     Events
Credit 1 Pam Starr
2 Alyn Robert Brereton
3 Julie MacKinnon
4 Linda Pittman
5 Parham Pourahmad
6 Larry Whiting
7 Randall Finley
Visitation: 350,000
Area: 25,000 Acres
Lat: 35.862483
Lon: 121.024532
Nearby Services
Gas-Paso Robles or King City, 35 MilesFood-Paso Robles or King City, 35 MilesLodging-Paso Robles or King City, 35 Miles
Site Facilities
Brochure/Species List Bus Accessible Camping/lodging
Drinking Water Fee Restrooms
Trails Trash Cans Visitor Center/Ranger Station
Join Our Mailing List
Email:
For Email Marketing you can trust

Facebook


Top Banner Photo Credits
Pam Starr
Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
Lake San Antonio - Site # 114
Sixteen miles long, this enormous lake features a resident herd of more than 400 black-tailed deer, up to 100,000 migratory waterfowl, and the largest wintering population of bald eagles in central and southern California.

Background: More than 50 bald eagles, 12 resident golden eagles, and ospreys roost on shoreline snags. The best viewing is from the county's large tour boat, which provides inforamtion and binoculars. In the spring, golden eagles nest in trees near the shore. Canada geese, Clark's and western grebes, American white pelicans, wood ducks and herons gather on the lake; miles of muddy shoreline are proved by American avocets and killdeer. Resident acorn woodpeckers, wild turkeys, and California quail are joined by many migrants, including California thrashers, cedar waxwings, and yellow-billed magpies.

The Habitat: The lake consists of roughly 50% oak woodland savanna and 50% chaparral.

The Experience: It is a consistent over-wintering site for wildlife, with bald eagles being the most significant resident. Between the 1930s -1980s bald eagles were nonexistent. Reintroduction efforts brought back bald eagles during the 1980s-2000.

Wildlife and Where to Find It: Car, Boat, Horseback- (North Shore Park), hiking- 25+ miles of trails on North and South shore, Easy to moderate difficulty, hot and dry in summer- hike early.

Viewing Tips: 100 bird species. High probability of seeing eagles and other birds of prey from December 15 to March 10. Also see waterfowl in winter. American white pelicans from fall through early summer. Look for songbirds in spring and summer. Deer, bobcats, and squirrels are seen year-round. Eagle boat tours for fee, reservations required. Call 1-888-588-CAMP.

Site Notes: In the summer the lake is extremely popular for camping and water recreation enthusiasts. Visitors are able to relax at a lake without feeling overcrowded whether on land or lake. In winter, the parks are quiet and peaceful, with extensive wildlife viewing. The off season visitor will feel they have the lake park to themselves.

Nearby Viewing Sites: Piedras Blancas

Festivals & Events: Monterey Bay Birding Festival

Visitor Information: Travel Paso - - https://go.travelpaso.com
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site: Yes
Open: Everday
Hours: 24 hours
Year Round: Yes

Road Information:   Paved. 
Road Hazards: Ice in winter
 Number of Parking Spaces: 100
Parking Fee: 
Proximity to viewing area:20'
 Pull-Through Parking: Yes
Parking Notes: 

How to Get There: From north of King City on Highway 101, take Jolon Road/G-14 exit west 24 miles. Go right on Interlake Road. After 12 miles, turn left to lake on San Antonio Road. Drive 4 miles to lake. OR, from Paso Robles on Highway 101, take Lake Nacimiento exit. Turn left on Highway 46/G-14. Follow G-14 for 26 miles to San Antonio Road and turn right.
 

Contact Information
Managing Agency: Monterey County Water Resources Agency
Agency Site URL: www.co.monterey.ca.us/parks
Physical Address:2610 San Antonio Road
Bradley, CA 93426
Agency 2:2610 San Antonio Road
Bradley, CA 93426
Manager Phone:805-472-2311 Contact Us:by Email
Site Phone:(805) 472-2311
County: Monterey
Addition Website: