Lake Nacimiento is both a census-designated place and a beautiful reservoir that extends over 18 miles in northern San Obispo County. With a surface area of more than 5,000 acres, Lake Nacimiento is a major destination for boaters and watersports enthusiasts. Lake Nacimiento’s 165-mile shoreline features gorgeous, unspoiled scenery with a captivating landscape of coastal mountains, river canyons, oak and pine forests, and waterfalls.
Several gated communities can be found around the Lake Nacimiento lakeshore. Heritage Ranch is a fine example, offering residents spacious homes and access to first-class amenities, including a private marina. Lake Nacimiento offers both upscale and lower-budget homes, while the backcountry offers idyllic living with acreage properties.
What to Love
- Boating and watersports destination
- Lakeshore gated communities
- Gorgeous unspoiled scenery
- Numerous nearby vineyards
People & Lifestyle
Lake Nacimiento offers its residents an enviable lifestyle with access to all kinds of water-based recreation. The picturesque surrounding area is full of captivating scenery and countless Central Coast Wine Country vineyards. Homes in this peaceful area are within easy reach of attractions in cities such as Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo.
Lake Nacimiento Recreation
Lake Nacimiento is one of the top destinations in California for boating and fishing.
The Lake Nacimiento Marina along the lake’s eastern shoreline offers boat and water play equipment rentals along with a fully stocked marina store, two launch ramps, slip rentals, and other marina services. The marina also features a water slalom course for jet skiers. Almost all kinds of vessels are permitted on the lake — houseboats are the only main exception.
Lake Nacimiento is hugely popular with anglers for its bountiful stocks of largemouth and smallmouth white bass, crappie, carp, and catfish. There are many relaxing fishing spots along the lake’s 165-mile shoreline and miles of waterways, inlets, bays, coves, creeks, and rivers to explore by boat. The lake’s protected coves and inlets are also ideal for swimming. You can also enjoy swimming at the
Lake Nacimiento Resort swimming pool. Other popular activities on the lake include jet-skiing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and wakeboarding.
The Lake Nacimiento General Store is fully stocked with camping supplies, clothes, groceries, gifts, plus beer, wine, and ice. Sitting just a short distance from the eastern lakeshore,
Oak Hill Market is a full-service grocery store with a bakery, butcher shop, and deli. Miles of hiking trails run through the gorgeous scenery surrounding the lake.
Lake Nacimiento also offers endless hiking trails, riding trails, and even hunting possibilities, especially north of the Lake towards Bradley. If you're looking for more of an intense hiking experience, be sure to check out some of the following trails:
- San Simeon State Park
- San Simeon Loop
- The East West Bluff Ranch Trail
- Anza National Historic Trail North
The Surrounding Area
Some of the Central Coast wine country’s finest vineyards are just a short drive away from Lake Nacimiento. Wineries in the glorious countryside to the lake’s southeast include
the Calcareous Estate,
DAOU Family Estates, and
Tablas Creek Vineyard.
The nearby city of Paso Robles features a charming historic downtown area with an excellent variety of restaurants, boutiques, wine tasting rooms, and microbreweries. Paso Robles hosts many popular festivals and events, including the
Zinfandel Festival in March,
Paso Robles Wine Festival in May,
Paso Robles Olive Festival in August, and the twice-yearly
Paso Robles Art in the Park event in spring and fall. Main Street in the nearby Templeton area also features a variety of fine restaurants.
Located close to the coast west of Lake Nacimiento,
Hearst Castle is a spectacular historic landmark built for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst between 1919 and 1947. Guided tours are available of Hearst Castle’s opulent interior, and the grounds provide magnificent elevated views over the coast and the ocean.
Schools
Lake Nacimiento is served by the San Miguel Joint Union School District.
- Cappy Culver Elementary, Public, K-5.
For more information on Lake Nacimiento real estate, contact Hertha Wolff-Arend today!
