Lake Anza provides a quieter swimming alternative to Lake Tahoe

Lake Anza is a freshwater swimming hole located in Berkeley’s Tilden Regional Park in California’s East Bay. Covering about 10 acres, the reservoir is praised for its clear water, surrounding redwoods and oaks, and a 4.6‑star rating on Google. It is open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on holidays between May 16 and September 27, with capacity limits that can lead to early closure on busy days.

Visitors are advised to check safety information from the East Bay Regional Park District, especially concerning blue‑green algae. Recommendations include avoiding swallowing the water and waiting three days after heavy rainfall before swimming. Compared with Lake Tahoe, which draws roughly 15 million visitors annually, Lake Anza offers a less‑crowded, more intimate experience for swimmers and hikers.