Where to water ski in So Cal?

[curlesw]

So I have this bug up my butt to get a boat for water skiing. We use to water ski all the time back east and I miss it, but fresh water lakes/rivers are not as abundant out here in So Cal.

So, where are the best places for water skiing? (Must be fresh water…the wife is not too excited about places like Mission Bay, she thinks they are “dirty”). I’m looking for locations within a 5-6 hour drive from San Diego with good (adequate) camping sites.

Thanks.

v/r
Wayne C.

[hardflex]

it's been awhile, but we used to go to Lake Havasu from Orange County, or the Parker strip below the dam.

[rcecale]

Lake Elsinore is just a short trip north on the 15 from you.

Then you have Lake Havasu on the CA/AZ border.

And in Las Vegas, you have Lake Mead.

Randy

[sammyg2]

the riv.
I go to avi, between laughlin and needles.
Watch your prop unless you know that section, there are a few shallow spots.

[Hugh R]

Castaic Lake

[Vipergrün]

IMHO, the best, especially this time of year is Nacimiento in Paso Robles. Huge lake, lots of nice coves, good camping, warm water, and a slalom course. It's at the far range of your travels, but I guarantee you would like it. Castaic is too crowded and gets blown out early.

[curlesw]

Thanks guys, great suggestions. Good to hear about Nacimiento in Paso Robles...I REALLY like that area, one of my favorites in California.

Originally posted by sammyg2
the riv.
I go to avi, between laughlin and needles.
Watch your prop unless you know that section, there are a few shallow spots.

sammyg2, can you provide some additional info...I'm not familiar with this area.

Thanks again.

v/r
Wayne C.

[nostatic]

How about Pyramid lake? I've driven by it countless times and it looks nice.

[sammyg2]

I was refering to the colorado river between ca and nevada.
Laughlin is a small gambling resort town, Avi is an indian casino resort about 12 miles downstream from laughlin.

Lake smell-some-more (elsinore) is nasty, the water is green and dead fish float, but it's usually not that crowded. Lake paris is nicer but you can almost walk across the lake on boats.

[nostatic]

also people ski at Big Bear Lake. Surroundings are beautiful. Water is a bit green, but that didn't seem to be stopping people.

[scottmandue]

How about lake Arrowhead? The last time I was there years ago the water was cold but clean.