We found the 6 best swimming spots near San Francisco, where the water is perfect for cooling off on long summer days. Note: always check conditions and water levels carefully before swimming.
OLD HIGHWAY 49 BRIDGE, NEVADA CITY (NEVADA COUNTY)
DISTANCE FROM SF: 3 hours One of many swimming holes along the crystal-clear Yuba River.
CAVAN IMAGES
1
NATURAL BRIDGES, VALLECITO (CALAVERAS COUNTY)
DISTANCE FROM SF: 2 hours A 1-mile hike from Parrots Ferry Road trailhead off Highway 4. The water is very cold, but makes for a unique swim.
IAN ROTH
2
BASS LAKE, BOLINAS (POINT REYES SEASHORE)
DISTANCE FROM SF: 1 hour, 20 minutes Protected from the chilly coast in Point Reyes is this idyllic lake bordered by rolling hills.
TERRYAYERS
3
LAKE ALOHA, DESOLATION WILDERNESS (EL DORADO COUNTY)
DISTANCE FROM SF: 3 hours The biggest in a system of pristine alpine lakes, Lake Aloha has crystal clear water.
WILDLIVINGARTS
4
NORTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER, COLFAX
DISTANCE FROM SF: 2 hours, 2O minutes About 7 miles off Highway 80, you'll find the North Fork of the American River & Yankee Jim's bridge & swimming hole.
JMOOR17
5
LOWER FALLS, MCCLOUD RIVER
DISTANCE FROM SF: 4.5 hours Head up to the McCloud River Trail, where you'll find 3 stunningly beautiful waterfalls, each with its own swimming hole.
JILL CLARDY
6
SEVEN MILE BEACH, STONE HARBOR
Clean and oh-so-serene, Seven Mile Beach is the destination for anyone looking for a quiet ocean getaway in New Jersey.