Wanderlust World Wanderlust World California's lakes range from alpine gems to massive reservoirs. Ranked by surface area:
| Rank | Lake | Area | Type | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Tahoe | 191,664 ac (776 km²) | Natural alpine (CA/NV border) | 2nd deepest US (1,645 ft); clarity icon; tourism hub |
| 2 | Salton Sea | ~220,000 ac (890 km²) variable | Endorheic saline (accidental, 1905) | Largest by area (sometimes); shrinking, salinity rising, ecological crisis |
| 3 | Lake Shasta | 30,000 ac (121 km²) | Reservoir (Shasta Dam, Sacramento R.) | Largest CA reservoir; 4.5M acre-ft capacity; houseboating |
| 4 | Clear Lake | 43,800 ac (177 km²) | Natural (volcanic/tectonic) | Largest *natural* lake entirely in CA; 2.5M yr old; bass fishing |
| 5 | Lake Almanor | 28,500 ac (115 km²) | Reservoir (Canyon Dam, N. Fork Feather R.) | PG&E hydro; fishing, boating, near Lassen Volcanic NP |
| 6 | Lake Oroville | 15,815 ac (64 km²) | Reservoir (Oroville Dam, Feather R.) | 2nd largest CA reservoir; 3.5M acre-ft; tallest US dam (770 ft) |