Castaic Lake, CA questions

[ctimrun]

Hey all, long time lurker first post here, great forum! I have a few questions.

I am going to rent a boat to pull our kids and nieces and nephews around on a tube. The boat I am looking at renting is a 2005 19' Tahoe bowrider. Is Castaic a good lake to pull them around on the tube? It will be on a weekday the week after July 4th. Any recommendations or input for me?

I used to do this years ago at Lake Perris, but I have heard they lowered the water level for an issue, and I have never been up to Castaic. It would be nice to be able to have the family sit on a beach and have them take turns in the boat. Is there a decent beach for this at Castaic?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Tim

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Castaic Lake, CA questions

Go here:

http://www.castaiclake.com/

 

[Phantom_II]

Re: Castaic Lake, CA questions

I was at Castaic all day yesterday. Normally I go to Pyramid because it's closer to where I live, but it was full. They only allow a maximum of 150 boats and 50 PWC's on the lake at any time. A good thing for avoiding crowds, but a bad thing if you don't get there early.

Anyway, Castaic is a great lake for tubing... Especially on weekdays when fewer boats are on the lake. The middle portions of the lake usually have a bit of chop. Nothing drastic but the waves usually run around 1 foot in the middle. Just enough to make it bouncy on a tube. For calmer waters, stay near the lee shores.

The entire east arm has a 35mph speed limit, which can be better with kids. The west arm is wide open.
There are only two dedicated swimming areas that prohibit boat operation near them, but there are hundreds of small, secluded, sandy and quiet coves with small beaches where you and your family can beach or anchor and go for some simple fun in the water.

All of the side bays on the lake are no wake areas, which makes it nice for peaceful picnics so just cruise the bays until you find a cove to your liking.

All alcoholic beverages are prohibited which doesn't mean there aren't drunks on the lake, but it does keep it to a minimum.

Entry fee to the launch areas is $22.00... A bit steep, but with So. Cal. lakes in such short supply, high fees do tend to keep the demand down.

One more thing. There are no marinas on the lake. Fuel up before you get there.

Have fun!

 

[erlindbl]

Re: Castaic Lake, CA questions

Just an FYI, go to Castaic if you want to tube because Perris doesn't allow inflatables. Wakeboards and waterskis only.

 

[ctimrun]

Re: Castaic Lake, CA questions

We ended up going to Castaic as planned and it turned out to be a great day! Could not have asked for better weather, it was low 90's, not positive but water had to be high 60's low 70's. Was very surprised to see how few boats were out on the lake. It was almost as if we had the whole place to ourselves. Being summer it has got to be the gas prices keeping people away.

We all had a great time and look forward to doing it again in the near future!