California / Napa County

Oak Shores Day Use Area

Open — Open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The north side of Oak Shores remains closed. Some reservable Coyote Beach sites are available on weekends only.

About

Oak Shores Day Use Area is a free public recreation site managed by the Bureau of Reclamation on the western shore of Lake Berryessa. Nestled in the blue oak woodlands east of Napa Valley, the area provides beach access, swimming, shoreline fishing, picnicking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Facilities include picnic tables, propane-only BBQ areas, vault toilets, and parking with lake views. Some reservable Coyote Beach sites are available on weekends. The 2.6-mile Smittle Creek Trail connects Oak Shores to Smittle Creek Day Use Area, offering scenic hiking through varied terrain. Lake Berryessa itself is a large yet uncrowded reservoir popular for boating, water sports, and fishing. The surrounding landscape features Mediterranean climate conditions with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Note that the north side of Oak Shores Day Use Area remains closed until further notice, and only propane-fueled cooking equipment is permitted throughout Lake Berryessa.

Directions

From Sacramento: Take I-80 west toward San Francisco, exit 113 towards Woodland. Travel 1.5 miles to Winters exit, turn left. Follow road into Winters, which becomes Highway 128. Continue on 128 to right turn on Knoxville Road. Oak Shores is approximately 8 miles north on Knoxville Road. From San Francisco: Drive north on I-80, take Napa exit onto Highway 29, turn onto Highway 121, follow to Highway 128. Continue on 128 to right turn on Knoxville Road, approximately 8 miles north.

Nearby Campgrounds