Glenn PrincicLone rolling foothills sprinkled with Oak trees and grazing cattle make the journey to Santa Margarita Lake picture perfect.
Set among the hills are small, run-down country homes with American flags blowing in the light breeze. Turn after turn, hill after hill, the destination is almost upon me.
Nestled among the Las Pilitas mountain range is Santa Margarita Lake. The Salinas River ends its journey here. With over 10,000 acres of recreational space, the activities are endless. Trees spread toward the water and golden mountain grass grows abundantly.
Trails appear as small brown lines among the trees, and can be seen from the lake shore. Various birds fly overhead and swim in the lake water. The shining sun warms my face and the breeze cools my rosy cheeks.
This peaceful lake is somewhat undiscovered, and most who come to enjoy it long for this undisturbed chance with nature. From the vantage point of the park ranger’s patrol boat, the beautiful sights are endless. There are over 180 species of birds that inhabit the park area. As we cruise along, mallard ducks fly over my head and land about 50 feet away on the glassy water.
“This place is a bird watcher’s paradise,” says park ranger Glenn Princic as he takes a photo. The lake is home to many different birds, including osprey eagles, blue egrets, a few species of ducks and many others.
You won’t see waterskiers or people diving into the water. This is a no-body-contact lake. Santa Margarita Lake has many functions. Water quality is essential since it is also a water supply for the city of San Luis Obispo. The lake was originally dammed to be a water source for Camp San Luis in the ’40s, but the camp hasn’t needed it.
Many visitors who come to the park are here for the fishing. The lake first opened for fishing and boating in 1957, and it’s still one of the best locations for fishing on the Central Coast. The sport fish that can be found include bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and trout. But like they say, the best fishing is at either sunrise about 6 a.m. or sunset about 4 p.m.
As the Ranger Princic and I float along in the boat, many fishing boats can be seen in the water. Each fisherman offers a wave as we pass. Birds flutter out of the cove across the water, startled by our slow-moving vessel. A man in his 50s also sits along the shore in a metal chair, with his labrador retriever at his side; he nods a hello as he casts a line into the glistening water.
The Santa Margarita Lake staff believe that this lake has a niche that other lakes can’t offer. Many other lakes are popular for water sports, loud music and lots of drinking.
“What we can offer here is a natural experience, where land has been undisturbed,” said Princic.
There are about 22 miles worth of multiple use trails to keep any hiker’s appetite satisfied.
Some of the trails, called “back trails,” are designed especially for those wishing to have more of a wilderness experience. The park also has trails and camps designated to accommodate horses. There are five “horse camps” along the lake. Each site is set-up with a fire pit, restroom, picnic benches, watering trough and a horse corral. These camps are called back camps, because they can only be reached by boat or hiking in. Currently, the California Conservation is carving another trail in Santa Margarita Park. They are hoping it will be open for use by the summer season.
If it is just a day escape you seek, then this park is just the place. Being only a half hour from San Luis Obispo, it is a simple getaway from the ordinary day to day. The park has many individual sites with barbecues; some are close to the lake and some atop the shaded hills. There is also a pool open from Memorial Day to Labor Day to cool you off on warm days.
Santa Margarita Lake is very family and pet friendly. Pets are allowed as long as they are on a leash. There are many activities throughout the year that cater to family camping. Once a month, the park rangers put on a campfire show for kids. They present pictures of wild animals found in the park and share ways to help protect the park, so everyone can enjoy it. They also have a junior ranger program; for a weekend, the kids spend time learning about the wilderness, its value and how to be earth conscious. At the end of this, they are certified as a “Junior Ranger.” Princic says, “The kids really enjoy it, because they get a badge when they are finished,” Pricnic said. The park also offers a “Kids Fishing Jamboree” year-round. They rope off a cove of the lake exclusively for kids; at the end of the day there are prizes, and awards for the biggest fish.
There are about 65 campsites of all types. If tent or trailer camping is your pleasure, then Santa Margarita Lake is the perfect place to help you feel at home outdoors. Although there are no full hook-ups, there are plenty of spaces that accommodate RVs. They conveniently have a showering facility with 10 showers, to clean up during your stay.
The experiences and adventures at the park are endless. From mountain biking to kayaking, boating to fishing, there is something that everyone can enjoy. There is also a marina with a launch and dock that offers rental boats, concessions, tackle, and fuel year-round.
Supervising park ranger Ken Klis describes Santa Margarita Lake as, “The only one that’s a natural, pristine and serene niche.” This park is not as popular as some others in the area, yet offers a lot that surrounding parks cannot. The calm, quiet, beauty of true wilderness is captured. It is one of the only places you can still observe a vast display of wildlife in its own habitat. Klis pointed up at the mountain range; “There is so much diversity in the species, because so much of it has not been disturbed.” The glorious views, smell of the trees, and the warmth of the glowing sun brings me to a comforting place. I take a one last deep breath and let the splendor set in. It undoubtedly is, in Princic’s words “serenity in a natural environment, minutes from San Luis Obispo.”
To contact the Santa Margarita Lake Headquarters for information on rates and availability, call (805) 781-5930, or visit the Web site at www.slocountyparks.org.