On the other side of L.A., just over an hour north and surrounded by the Angeles and Los Padres National Forests, this 1,360-acre reservoir built in 1972 is named for a nearby pyramid-shaped rock carved out during the building of the nearby highway. There are a number of sandy stretches, the most popular of which is Vaquero Beach near the Vista del Lago Visitor Center, with swimming, picnicking, and rentals of kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats.

Read more in Tripatini contributor Ady Kang-s post 13 of the Top Recreational Lakes to Enjoy in California.

Pyramid Dam and Pyramid Lake, California, USA