Since houseboats have been removed from the waters of New Melones Lake for the foreseeable future, let it be known that nearby Lake Don Pedro is a perfect alternative. Less than an hour's drive south of New Melones Lake, Lake Don Pedro marina sits near La Grange, CA, just two hours east of the Bay area.

With 160 miles of shoreline, visitors flock to Lake Don Pedro to enjoy boating, fishing, water sports, swimming and camping. Well known for the annual fireworks show over the lake on the Fourth of July, houseboats are snatched up quickly in the summertime, and appreciated for its peacefulness in the shoulder seasons. 

In the springtime, Lake Don Pedro's shorelines boast spectacular wildflower displays. Matched with eastern views of Yosemite National Park Peaks of Mt. McClure (12,900 ft), Mt. Lyell (13,113 ft), Mt. Florence (12,561 ft), Rodgers Peak (12,978 ft), Mt. Ritter (13,157 ft) and Mt. Clark (11,522 ft) make for unbelievable photo opportunities that will have your friends oo-ing and ahh-ing. For shoreline views, consider the Shoreline Trail near Blue Oaks, which traces the shoreline's edge to Buzzard Point (about 3.5 miles from trailhead.)

Keep your eyes peeled for land wildlife: deer, bobcat and coyote frequent the area, and to the skies and trees for sightings of a large variety of songbirds, red tail hawks, great blue heron, osprey, and even bald and golden eagles. If you're a fishing enthusiast, there is a wide variety of catches including: rainbow, brown and brook trout, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass, kokanee, king and silver salmon, crappie, catfish, bluegill and sunfish, as well as carp, Sacramento pike minnow (squawfish), whitefish, Sacramento sucker, and threadfin shad. You can purchase fishing licenses, bait, and tackle right at the marina store.

There are several reasons Lake Don Pedro is known as one of California's favorite houseboating destinations, only second to Lake Shasta. Get the full experience and visit yourself! Call a houseboating specialist at 888-454-8825 or Request Information Online and one of our agents will contact you.