The Top 20 Lakes in San Diego County
Looking to visit the best lakes in San Diego County? After all, there’s nothing better than the serenity of the lakeshore — or a quick dip when the weather’s warm. So, browse our list of San Diego County’s top lakes below as recommended by the komoot community, and experience more on your next adventure!
Last updated: November 13, 2025
Hodges Dam
Highlight (Segment) • Monument
Lake Drive passes through the community of Del Dios and runs along Lake Hodges to the dam, offering scenic views of the lake and countryside. This road is also used …
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San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Preserve
Highlight • Natural
The San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve spans 979 acres and includes a lagoon formed by the convergence of Escondido and La Orilla Creeks with the Pacific Ocean. It's a favorite …
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Leisure Lagoon
Highlight • Beach
Leisure Lagoon is a fantastic place for a picnic or relaxing along the shoreline. A grassy area surrounds the cove, with plenty of benches and restrooms nearby. There is a …
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Lake Miramar
Highlight • Lake
Nestled in San Diego's Scripps Miramar Ranch, Miramar Reservoir beckons as a recreational oasis. Built in 1960 as part of the San Diego Aqueduct project, its 165-foot dam stands tall. …
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San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Highlight • Natural
The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge that was created to protect San Diego's historic coastal salt marsh and mudflat habitat. The refuge is home to …
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Daley Ranch Conservation Area
Highlight • Trail
Daley Ranch is a conservation area owned by the city of Escondido. It is 3,201-acres and has about 25 miles of trails.
It was originally the ranch of Robert Daley, …
It was originally the ranch of Robert Daley, …
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Duck Pond
Highlight • Lake
Right on the edge of the SR-56 Bike Path is the Duck Pond where you can often see turtles sunning themselves right on the concrete edge of the trail. This …
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Lake Poway
Highlight • Lake
Lake Poway is a local reservoir that provides a serene spot for hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities. It serves as a water supply to the area and has a nice trail system surrounding it.
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Lake Morena Campground & Trailhead
Highlight • Rest Area
Lake Morena is a popular spot for recreation and fishing. The Pacific Crest Trail passes by right next to the campground. You will find a picnic area, campsites, fire pits, …
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Buena Vista Lagoon
Highlight • Lake
At the shallow bridge crossing the stream is one of the best places to see the open water of the Buena Vista Lagoon, right off the rail-to-bike trail
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Find the best lakes in San Diego County per region:
PowayImperial BeachDel MarHidden MeadowsCarlsbadVistaEncinitasOceansideLemon GroveRancho San DiegoEscondidoHarmony GroveLake San MarcosLa MesaLa PresaJamulDel DiosValley CenterCasa De Oro-Mount HelixBonitaSan DiegoLaguna MountainsRancho Santa FeSolana BeachSpring ValleyElfin ForestEucalyptus HillsWinter GardensChula VistaEl CajonCoronadoSan MarcosNational CityBostoniaCamp Pendleton SouthFairbanks RanchLakesideSantee
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Still not found your perfect lake in San Diego County? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.
Sierra NevadaSanta Clara CountyEl Dorado CountyCoast RangeMarin CountyAlameda CountyLos Angeles CountyOrange CountyMono CountyFresno CountySan Mateo CountyContra Costa CountyTuolumne CountyTulare CountyPlacer CountyMadera CountyMariposa CountySan Bernardino CountySiskiyou CountyShasta CountyInyo CountySonoma CountySacramento CountyTahoe National ForestShasta-Trinity National ForestRiverside CountyPlumas CountyNevada CountySan Luis Obispo CountySierra CountySolano CountyAlpine CountyTrinity CountySanta Cruz CountyAmador CountyMonterey CountySanta Barbara CountyLassen CountyCalaveras CountyVentura CountyNapa County
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