Lake Temescal has fully opened for the summer swim season, welcoming visitors 7 days a week to go for a dip or enjoy a picnic on the sandy beach. The historic lake serves as a centerpiece of the Temescal Region Recreation Area, which is conveniently accessible via car or public transit.
Visitors can find the lake at the junction of Highways 24 and 13, which takes about 20 minutes to reach from San Francisco by car. You can also reach the lake via a 20-minute BART ride to Rockridge Station, followed by a 10-15 minute bus ride. AC Transit routes 51A, 51B, 660, and 79 take off from Rockridge and stop near the lake at Broadway Terrace & Sheridan Road or Florence Avenue & Broadway Terrace.
Swim season at Lake Temescal
Lake Temescal has a sandy beach with a recreational swim area that is attended by a lifeguard in the summer. Lifeguards are on duty every day from June 9 to August 15, and then on weekends and holidays through September 14. The park gate is open from 8am-10pm, and you should expect parking fees at $5 per vehicle.
Other activities at Lake Temescal include fishing, walking or jogging around the wheelchair-accessible perimeter lake path, birdwatching, and sunbathing. Two children’s playgrounds are available for families.
As with many East Bay lakes, you should always check the water quality before you swim. Lake Temescal is tested weekly for bacterial levels and blue-green algae. They use a stoplight system to advise visitors on the results: green means the beach is open with low health risk, yellow means that the beach is open with an increased health risk, and red means that the beach is closed. Even when the water quality is at “green,” you should still keep the water out of your mouth and shower after swimming.
History of Lake Temescal
Lake Temescal was formed in 1868 when the Contra Costa Water Company dammed Temescal Creek to provide drinking water for the East Bay. Chinese immigrants labored to construct the 600-foot dam, aided by herds of wild mustangs which were brought in to compact the dirt. The lake area was then used as a popular campground for bohemian artists during the late 1800s, including painter J.H.E. Partington and poet George Sterling. In 1936, the area opened as a public park, and in 1938, the WPA constructed the lake’s iconic stone beach house.