The Lower Ranch area of Hollister Hills State Vehicle Recreational Area has six small lakes within its borders. Most of these lie in the vicinity of Lake Road, which runs from Tule Lake to the area of Lodge Lake and Turtle Lake. Just to the north of Lake Road lies Harmony Gate Road, which passes Woodwardia Basin and Sycamore Lake. The other water body in the area, Basin Lake, lies in the area of Basin Road. The lakes in Hollister Hills SVRA provide wildlife watching and fishing opportunities for those visiting the area.
Larger water bodies in the area of Hollister Hills include the San Justo Reservoir. This man-made lake and dam forms part of the San Felipe Project, which transports water to the Santa Clara/San Benito area. The reservoir is around three miles from the city of Hollister, in the eastern foothills of the Gabilan Mountains. It opens to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, with water-based activities allowed including fishing, windsurfing and sailing for boats up to 16 feet in length.
Paicines Reservoir lies around 11 miles to the east of the Hollister Hills area on a tributary of the Tres Pinos Creek. It has a history dating back to its original construction in 1913, and the reservoir also underwent rehabilitation work in the 1960s. Used for irrigation purposes, it also provides opportunities for activities such as fishing and birdwatching.
Coyote Lake Park lies around 19 miles to the north of Hollister, in the area of Gilroy. The park covers an area of around 4,600 acres, with Coyote Lake having a surface area of just more than 630 acres. Visitors can use the lake for a wide range of activities, with power boats, Jet Skis and water-skiing allowed. Sail boats, kayaks and canoes also can be used on the lake, and fishermen can try their hand catching a few different fish species, including bass, carp and catfish.
A number of other small natural and man-made lakes lie in the area surrounding Hollister Hills. Some of these include Gloria Lake, Bear Gulch Reservoir, Hawkins Lake, Bitterwater Lake, Anzar Lake and Fawn Lake. These typically provide fishing and wildlife-watching opportunities.
