Hidden Valley Lake Swimming, Fishing, and Boating
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE
Monthly Lake Reports Are Available HERE
Hidden Valley Lake is a man-made reservoir, which covers 102 surface acres. The earth fill dam was built across Coyote Creek in 1969. It is 90 feet high, and its spillway spans 410 feet. The Lake holds 3,500 acre feet of water with an average depth of 35 feet. The spillway releases water throughout most winters, usually from December through April.
The Lake is used for fishing, swimming, sailing and low or no-powered boating. Boats used on the Lake must have a Current HVLA Boat Sticker, and a Quagga Mussel Sticker, available from most Lake County bait shops or from the HVLA Administration Office. The maximum speed for powered watercraft is No Wake speed. Any watercraft used on the lake must not be operated in a reckless manner or at a speed that imperils the health and safety of other Lake users.
Fishing is permitted, but possession of a valid California fishing license is required for persons 16 years of age or older. Fish include largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish and trout. Live bait is not permitted.
Hidden Valley Lake and its facilities are limited to use by members and their accompanied guests. HVLA Amenity Identification Cards are required and checked by HVLA Security.
FISHING POND
The fishing pond is located below the dam, along Hidden Valley Road, next to the HVLA Administrative Offices. The Pond is fed by the spillway and seep drainage from the Lake. The water runoff is then carried into Coyote Creek which flows under Hidden Valley Road to the west. Fishermen can fish along the shoreline or from the two fishing piers that extend over the water. No fishing is permitted on the spillway. Restrooms are available at the HVLA Admin Building.
BIG BEACH PARK
Big Beach Park is located on Lake Ridge Circle, across the street from the HVL Community Center. About half of this three-acre site is improved with two connected parking lots, restrooms, and a large sandy beach with a buoyed, no boats allowed, swim area. There is also a children’s swing set, a sand volleyball court, a grass picnic and play area with picnic tables, and a fishing dock. This park is also the site for kayak storage shed. No lifeguards are present at this facility; therefore, swimming is at your own risk. Both beaches have large sandy areas for practicing for the Sand Castle contest, picnic tables and barbecues, children’s playgrounds, and on-site parking. Additionally, BIG BEACH earns its name by having space for a volleyball court and boat beach.
LITTLE BEACH PARK
Little Beach is located on North Shore Drive. The park has a large, flat sandy beach, and a relatively shallow roped off swimming area that is appropriate for younger children. No lifeguards are present at this facility; therefore, swimming is at your own risk. It also features a grass picnic area with barbecues and ample shade, restrooms, an outside shower, and children’s swings and playground equipment. There is a large on-site paved parking lot.
NORTH SHORE PARK
North Shore Park is a one-acre park, located on North Shore Drive, about 200 yards north of Little Beach. There is a wide trail leading from the roadway to the lakeshore. The park provides a lake frontage that offers a sandy beach for dogs and people swimming. A few yards away there is a fishing pier for the fishermen, as well as access to shoreline fishing. Only very limited off-street parking is available.
MARINA
The Marina is located on North Shore Drive. Its facilities include two separate 20-slip boat docks. Slips are available for an annual rental fee. The Marina also has a concrete boat launch ramp, on-site parking area, restrooms, grassy view park, and telephone. It is open from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. Arrangements can be made with the Safety & Security Department for after-hours use. You can contact Member Services regarding the availability of boat slips, HVLA Boat Stickers, and Quagga Mussel Stickers.
MARINA GATE
Designed to help prevent Quagga Mussel infestation, the marina gate prevents boats from entering the lake unless they have current HVLA and Quagga Mussel boat stickers. Members who already have Amenity Cards will need to add boat ramp access to their existing cards. There is no additional charge for adding that amenity.
The purpose of the gate is to ensure that before boats enter our lake all boat owners have registered their boat with the Association and their boat has also passed the Quagga Mussel screening. This measure will help prevent Quagga and Zebra Mussels infecting and ultimately forcing the quarantine and possible loss of our lake.
If you have not yet obtained your updated HVLA Amenity Card, you will want to request one at Member Services before you put your boat in the lake.
Member Services is located in the Admin Building
Located at: 18174 Hidden Valley Road
Phone: (707) 987-3138
memberservices@hvla.com
Member Services Office Hours
M-F: 10:00AM – 5:00PM