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8/9/2019 San Luis Reservoir State Recreaion Area Park Brochure
1/8
San LuisReservoir
State Recreation Area
San Luis Resevoir
State Recreation Area31426 Gonzaga Road
Gustine, CA 95322-9737
(209) 826-1197 2003 California State Parks Printed on Recycled Paper
Our MissionThemissionof the California Department ofParks and Recreation is to provide for the
health, inspiration and education of the
people of California by helping to preserve
the states extraordinary biological diversity,
protecting its most valued natural and
cultural resources, and creating opportunitiesfor high-quality outdoor recreation.
GRAY DAVIS
Governor
MARY D. NICHOLS
Secretary for Resources
RUTH COLEMAN
Acting Director, California State Parks
For information call:800-777-0369
916-653-6995, outside the U.S.
711, TTY relay service
www.parks.ca.gov
CALIFORNIASTATE PARKS
P. O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA94296-0001
California State Parks does not discriminate
against individuals with disabilities. Prior to
arrival, visitors with disabilities who need
assistance should contact the park at the phone
number below. To receive this publication in an
alternate format, write to the CommunicationsOffice at the following address.
he story of the west side ofthe Central Valley has always
been about water. In this dryland the native people built
their village near an ancient
aguaje (water hole) on San
Luis Creek, and the Pacheco
family used that scarce resourcefor their cattle. Imagine their
surprise if they could see their
valley brimming with fresh
water behind the massive dam.
T
8/9/2019 San Luis Reservoir State Recreaion Area Park Brochure
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estled in the western San Joaquin Valley
near historic Pacheco Pass, San Luis Reser-
voir State Recreation Area is a popular summer
destination for anyone seeking the perfect
place to cool off. Following
the refreshing winter rains,
acres of wildflowers
brighten up and decorate
the grassy hills at the
reservoir. The grasses that
blanket these oak-studded
hills undergo a short cycle
of spring green, followed
by a longer period of
golden brown.
Summer temperatures inthis part of the valley range
from the mid-90s to an
occasional 100 degrees.
Generally, evenings are
cool and pleasant. Annual
rainfall, between
November and April,
averages eight to nine inches. Winter
temperatures seldom reach freezing, butheavy fogs are common.
PARK HISTORY
For thousands of years, the southern half of
Californias Central Valley was home to three
distinct Yokuts groupsthe Southern, the
Foothill and the Northern Valley Yokuts. The
area that is now San Luis Reservoir was a
borderland between the Northern Yokuts
people and the Mutsun branch of the Ohlone
tribe, whose territory extended to the coast.
They lived on salmon and other fish, waterfowl,
large game such as pronghorn antelope and
tule elk, seeds, roots of the cattails that grew in
the marshes, and a plentiful supply of acorns
from groves of valley oaks.
Prior to the late 1700s and
early 1800s, only the native
people lived in this area. In 1805
Spanish Army Lieutenant Gabriel
Moraga and his troopsreportedly
the first non-natives to enter this
areacame in search of potential
mission sites. Regardless of their
tribal affiliations, the Yokuts were
forcibly brought into the mission
system, resulting in drastic
changes in their lives. During theearly part of the 1800s, Indian
resistance to the missions took
the form of cattle raids, with
Pacheco Pass an escape route
into the relative safety of the
Central Valley. In 1843 the
Mexican government granted El
Rancho San Luis Gonzagaa vast expanse of
grasslands that included the present reservoirareato Juan Perez Pacheco. His men built a
small adobe fortress to protect their lands from
cattle raiders at the site of an ancient water
hole on San Luis Creek.
In 1827 fur trapper Jedediah Smith traveled
through the valley, and soon others were
trapping in the flourishing streams. Eventually
the newcomers depleted the native peoples
resources, took over their lands, andintroduced diseases to which they had no
immunity. With the 1848 gold discovery,
California drew scores of thousands who
wanted to get rich quickly. The gold rush
was the final blow to Indian resistance in the
valley. Some of the miners, tired of heavy
labor for small reward, settled down and
became farmers. However, while the east
side of the Central Valley was ideal for
farming, the west side was extremely dry.
AGRICULTURE IN THE VALLEY
In the early years after the gold rush,
agriculture on the dry side of the valley
was limited to sheep and cattle grazing,
and to what old-timers called sky farm-
ing. This precarious dry-land wheat
farming depended entirely on the winter
rainfall. In 1871 San Joaquin and KingsRiver Canal Company built an irrigation
canal from the Mendota Dam to Los Baos
Creek that eventually grew to 180 miles in
length. By the mid-1880s, wheat had
reached a harvest peak of nearly 18 million
bushels. The 1890s brought steam-powered
harvesters. Farmers here shipped their
wheat to Stockton and San Francisco by river
steamers until the railroad came to the westside in 1888. With irrigation came alfalfa and
dairying, and a variety of fruit and row crops.
Canal building, irrigation and flood control
projects proliferated in the Central Valley in
the 1900s, culminating in the State
Water Project, which
included
construction of
the San Luis
Reservoir.
Man and his best friend enjoy aquiet afternoon on the reservoir.
Harvest Brodiaea
N
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THE RESERVOIR
The reservoir stores
runoff water from the
Delta for the federal
Central Valley Project
and the California State
Water Project. The
water arrives through
the California Aque-
duct and the Delta-
Mendota Canal,
pumped from the
ONeill Forebay into
the main reservoir
during winter and
spring. The Los Baos Creek Reservoirprevents storm runoff from flooding the
canals.
NATURAL HISTORY
Prior to European settlement, the valley
had a diverse and productive natural
environment. Once a maze of permanent
and seasonal wetlands, its creeks, rivers,
vernal pools, tule marshes and sloughs
supported large populations of migratorybirds, fish and other wildlife. Extensive
prairie grasslands and riparian habitat
sheltered elk, mule deer, California ground
squirrels and kangaroo rats. By the early-
to mid-1920s, the California grizzly bear
and the San Joaquin Valley pronghorn
antelope had been hunted to extinction,
and there were 72 tule elk left in
California. In the early 1930s, the stateand federal governments began to
establish reserves and wildlife
management areas for the protection of
species under threat of extinction.
Today, though agriculture and other
development have significantly
changed these habitats, jackrabbits,
cottontails, ground squirrels, rac-
coons, opossums, skunks, gray foxes,
coyotes, bobcats, feral pigs, a variety
of snakes (including rattlesnakes) and
deer are common here. Watch for
over-wintering golden eagles, as well
as hawks, owls, white-tailed kites and
the occasional bald eagle. Migratory
waterfowl include geese and several
species of ducks.
RECREATION
Camping and PicnickingReservations arerecommended for developed campsites at
Basalt and San Luis Creek Campgrounds on
spring and summer weekends and holidays.
Call (800) 444-7275. Two other campgrounds
are available first come, first served.
Basalt CampgroundEach of these 79 non-
hookup sites among eucalyptus and pine
trees has a table, a cupboard and a fire ring
with a barbecue grill. Some sites canaccommodate trailers and motor homes up
to 30 feet. Water and restrooms with pay
showers are nearby.
San Luis Creek Area CampgroundThe
53 family sites have electric and water
hookups, and accommodate motor homes
and trailers up to 30 feet. A sanitation
station is nearby. To reserve the San Luis
Creek Group Camp (for up to 90 people)call (800) 444-7275. The shaded picnic
areas have sandy beaches. Reserve
group picnic sites by calling (209) 826-
1197 Monday through Friday.
Medeiros CampgroundThis undevel-
oped campground on the south shore of
ONeill Forebay accommodates up to 500
campers. Drinking water and chemical
toilets are nearby.
Los Baos Creek CampgroundFourteen
undeveloped sites have shade ramadas,
tables and barbecue grills, with drinking
water and chemical toilets nearby. A primi-
tive horse campground has chemical toilets.
Water for riders is available at the boat ramp
water tank. There is no water on site.
SwimmingOn the west shore of ONeill
Forebay, San Luis Creeks North Beach area
is roped off for swimming, with lifeguardservice available from Memorial Day through
Labor Day. Swimming is not restricted to
specific areas elsewhere at the park, but
swimmers should be cautious about the
boats present on the water. Diving is not
allowed.
The San Luis Reservoir storeswater for both state and federal
water projects.
Hikers on the popular Path of the Padresalong Los Baos Creek
8/9/2019 San Luis Reservoir State Recreaion Area Park Brochure
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Fishing
San Luis Reservoir/
ONeill Forebay
Fishing experts suggest
trolling with lures from fall
through early spring, and with anchovies or
shad and live minnows the rest of the year.Largemouth black bass, striped bass,
crappies, bluegill, shad, perch and occa-
sional salmon and sturgeon are caught
here. Overnight fishing is permitted in
some parts of the San Luis Creek area (no
camping). In the Medeiros area only
registered campers may fish all night. Call
for details.
Los Baos Creek ReservoirCrappies,bluegill, largemouth bass, catfish and
planted trout are caught in this reservoir.
TrailsBasalt Campground Trail begins to the
right off the campground road. The six-mile
round trip Lone Oak Trail begins at the parking
lot by the boat ramp and goes uphill above the
lake, past Quien Sabe Point and around the
side of Lone Oak Bay.
Boating and Jet skiingBoats arerequired to remain at least 500 away from
the dams. All watercraft must carry one life
jacket for each passenger. Sudden strong
winds are an important factor at San Luis
Reservoir; watch for the wind warning
lights.
San Luis ReservoirBoats are allowed on
the water from sunrise until sunset. Wind
warning lights are located at the RomeroVisitor Center, Quien Sabe Point and the
Basalt entrance.
Kids Fishing Day on the ONeill Forebay
Striped bass
ONeill ForebayBoats are
allowed on the water from
sunrise until sunset. The strictly
enforced boating pattern here is
counter-clockwise. Boaters may beach
their boats at South Beach. Strong spring
and summer west winds make ONeillForebay an excellent spot for board
sailing. Wind warning lights are located at
Medeiros and above the South Beach
picnic area of San Luis Creek.
Los Baos Creek ReservoirBoats are
allowed on the water from sunrise until
sunset. The maximum speed anywhere on
this reservoir is five miles per hour.
BicyclingPart of the California AqueductBikeway begins at San Luis Creek and goes
70 miles north to the Bethany Reservoir
State Recreation Area. Rest stops are ten
miles apart, and bicyclists can camp over-
night in the Bethany Reservoir picnic area.
There is no piped water, but chemical toilets
are available. Riders under 18 years old must
wear bicycle helmets in all state parks.
HuntingFederal and state gamelaws apply to seasonal hunting of
migratory waterfowl. Hunting from
one half hour before sunrise to sunset
is allowed daily during hunting
season only on certain parts of the
Los Baos Creek Reservoir, the San
Luis Reservoir, and the ONeill Fore-
bay. It is not permitted within 300
feet of campgrounds, picnic areas,boat ramp areas, or dam and water
structures. Handguns and rifles are
not permitted for waterfowl hunting.
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
On summer weekends park staff often
lead interpretive programs at the camp-
fire center at the Basalt Campground.
Call for information on scheduled
campfire programs, guided walks, Junior
Ranger programs and special events.ACCESSIBLE FEATURES
Campsites, picnic tables and restrooms
at the Basalt Campground
Restroom at the Basalt boat launch
Romero Visitor Center
Campsites and vault toilets at the San
Luis Creek Campground
Restrooms and picnic sites at the North
Beach day-use area Fishing Access Trail at San Luis Creek
Campground
Accessibility is continually improving.
Call the park for the latest information.
8/9/2019 San Luis Reservoir State Recreaion Area Park Brochure
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seedetail mapbelow right
544ft165m
San Luis Reservoir
CottonwoodBay
HonkerBay
152 Tunnel Island
DinosaurPoint
GooseheadPoint
0 3 Kilometers
2 Miles0 0.5 1 1.5
1 2
Cottonwood Cree
k
Romer
oCr
eek
San LuisCreekArea
Park
Entrance
Cal
Gianelli Pump-Generator Plan
B.F. SiskDam
RomeroVisitorCenter
ParkHeadquart
No Ski Zone10 mph
No
N
Point
RdDinosau
r
L O W E R
C O T T O N W O O D C R E E K
W I L D L I F E A R E A
U P P E R
C O T T O N W O O D C R E E K
W I L D L I F E A R E A
S A N L U I S
R E S E R V O I R
W I L D L I F E A R E A
P a c h e c o S t a t e P a r k
(Dept . o f F ish & Game)
(Dept . o f F ish & Game)
(Dept . o f F ish & Game)
toGilroy
State R ec reat ion A reaSan Luis Reservoir
N Ski Z
8/9/2019 San Luis Reservoir State Recreaion Area Park Brochure
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de
be
Lone OakBay
Point
NorthFork
LosBa
os
Creek
SanLuisCreek
Portugu
eseC
reek
SaltCreek
Hid
den
Creek
Freeway
Unpaved road
Trail
Legend
Boating
Campground
Group Campground
Campsite Numbers
Locked Gate
Parking
Group Picnic Area
Restrooms
Showers
Swimming
Telephone
Accessible Feature
Campfire Center
Boat Launch
Horse Campground
Wind Warning Light
Restricted Boating Area
Picnic Area
RV Sanitation Station
Paved road
Horse Trail
Bicycle Trail
Ranger Station
BasaltArea
38-79
1-37
No
SkiZ
one
10
mph
No Ski Zone10 mph
32 & 37
51 & 75
Lone Oak TrailBasalt
CampgroundTrail
B A S A L T
C A M P G R O U N D
P O R T U G U E S E
C R E E K
A R E A
Monterey
Bay
SF
Bay
SanJo
aq
uin
Riv
er
101
5
25
580
5
680
171
1
33
99
580
880
33
68
140
132
280
152
129
165
Monterey
SantaCruz
Salinas
Hollister
Modesto
LosBanos
Gilroy
San Jos
Tracy
Fremont
Atwater
Gustine
San Luis Reservoir SRA
FremontPeak
SP
Castle Rock SP
Big BasinRedwoodsSP
Henry WCoe SP
PinnaclesNM
toLos Angeles
toSan Luis
Obispo
toFresno
to Sacramento
0 15 Km
10 Mi0 5
8/9/2019 San Luis Reservoir State Recreaion Area Park Brochure
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225ft68m
ONeill Forebay
CaliforniaAqueduct
Delta
Delta-M
endota
Canal
Califor
niaAqu
educt
MainCanal
MainCanal
5
5
33
33
33 33152 152
Outside
Canal
San L
uis Creek
OutsideC
anal
MedeirosArea
ParkEntrance
NorthBeach
fornia Departmentof Forestry andFire Protection
t
SouthBeach
ers
No Ski Zone10 mph
Ski Zone10 mph
Volta
SantaNella
iforn
iaA
qued
uc
t
Bik
ew
ay McCabe Rd
Romero Rd
Wh
itw
ort
hR
d
Fahey Rd
Malta Rd
Ing
omarG
rade
IngomarGrade
Henry Miller AveHenry Miller Ave
Volt
aR
d
Gonzaga Rd
Ja
spe
rS
ea
rsRd
Pioneer Rd
O N E I L L F O R E B A Y
W I L D L I F E A R E A
V O L T A
W I L D L I F E
A R E A
S A N L U I S
R E S E R V O I R
M O T O R C Y C L E
A R E A
(Dept. of Fish & Game)
toLos Banos
toGustine
toSacramento PLEASE REMEMBER
WindDangerous winds come up suddenly. A yellow wind
warning light flashes when the wind reaches 15 mph.
When the winds reach 30 mph and the red warning light
flashes, GET OFF THE LAKE! Weather and wind condition
information: (800) 805-4805.
Drawdown and other hazardsThe lake level drops through-out the summer as water is used for irrigation, uncovering
islands and turning formerly deep areas shallow and hazardous.
Check for current water levels by visiting http://cdec.water.ca.gov. In
the Quick Search menu choose Real-Time Data, then enter ONF
for the ONeil Forebay or SNL for San Luis Reservoir.
Speed limits5 mph restriction on boats within 200 feet of
shoreline and on all of Los Baos Creek Reservoir. The main
reservoir and the ONeill Forebay have 10 mph zones (see map).
PetsDogs must be kept on a leash no more than six feetlong. They must not be left unattended and must be kept in
an enclosed tent or vehicle at night.
FiresFires are permitted only in grills or fire rings. Do not
leave fires unattended. In the summer this area becomes
tinder-dry, and high winds can add to the fire hazard. Fire-
wood is sold at park entrances.
VehiclesStay on paved roads and paved parking areas.
Quiet hoursSound should not carry beyond your campsiteat any time, especially between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Use
generators only between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Park featuresDo not remove plants, animals, or any other
features of the parkthey are protected by law.
WildlifeDo not feed wild animals or leave garbage out.
ta
8/9/2019 San Luis Reservoir State Recreaion Area Park Brochure
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Fis
hing
Acc
essTr
ail
(to
Ch
eck
12)
seeetail mapelow left
328ft100m
Los Baos CreekReservoir
Californ
iaA
qued
uct
taCanal
5
2002 California State ParksMap by Eureka Cartography, Berkeley, CA
Carrisa
litoCree
k
Salt
Creek
Los BaosCreekArea
ParkEntrance
ParkEntrance
1-24
25-53Lake Speed
5 mph
32 & 34
9 & 13
South
Rim
Dr
NorthRim Dr
Cany onRd
S A N L U I S C R E E K
C A M P G R O U N D
toLos Angeles
NEARBY STATE PARKS
Pacheco State Park, 20 miles east of
Gilroy on Highway 152 (209) 826-6283
Henry W. Coe State Park, off Highway
101, 14 miles east of Morgan Hill on
East Dunne Avenue (408) 779-2728
Great Valley Grasslands State Park,
5 miles east of Gustine on Highway 140
(209) 874-2056
This park is supported in part through
a nonprofit organization. For more
information contact:
Four Rivers Natural History Association
31426 Gonzaga Road
Gustine, CA 95322-9737 (209) 826-1197