San Diego County’s most popular reservoir recreation areas offer special holiday season events through 2025 and host winter activities during the region’s cooler months.

Holiday Spirit at Santee Lakes

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts the Winter Lantern Festival on Saturday, December 13 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The family-friendly festival encourages people to reflect on the year and set intentions for the year ahead by releasing personalized lanterns onto the lake. Enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors, a scavenger hunt, and the lantern launch.

The Festival requires an entry ticket with multiple options for families, date nights, and VIP experiences. Purchase in advance here to receive a discount price.

A full list of additional holiday events, including Saturday Paint and Sip events, Gingerbread House making, and visits with Santa, is listed on the Santee Lakes website.

Take advantage of San Diego County’s mild weather with a stay at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Campground space is available. A three-night minimum stay is required, but you won’t want to leave.

Originally opened to the public in 1961, today, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is a nationally recognized Park of the Year, hosting over 760,000 visitors annually. The 190-acre park’s lakes are stocked with fish year-round. Other amenities include camping, cabin rentals, fishing, boating, playgrounds, walking trails, facility rentals, special events, and approximately 230 bird species.

Trout Fishing Season Opens for San Diego Fishing Enthusiasts

Recreational fishing surged in popularity during the pandemic, and it hasn’t slowed down since then. San Diego County is known for its inland freshwater fishing at its lakes and reservoirs, and its mild winter weather adds to its appeal. Fishing permits are required, so check with staff at each location.

As reported by the City of Poway, the number of fishing permits sold at Lake Poway over the last few years continues to increase. One of the most anticipated days of the year at the lake is trout season opening day.

Lake Poway starts stocking trout on Friday, December 5, and will stock 19,000 pounds of trout through April 16, up 500 pounds from last year.

The fishing experts at Lake Poway share a few tips on its webpage, and it will post monthly fishing reports as the winter season continues.

Starting the week of November 30, trout stocking will take place at Lake Wohlford, Lake Murray, and Chollas Park Lake every two weeks until through April.

Lake Jennings Open For Winter Fun

Lake Jennings opened its annual trout fishing season on November 15 and is open daily except on Christmas Day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. through January 7. The lake will be restocked regularly every two weeks through April 27 with a total of 19,000 pounds of trout.

The lake will be open for its New Moon Fishing event on Saturday, December 20, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, sunset watching, stargazing, and firepit rentals. Get more information about activities at https://lakejennings.org/

Lake Jennings is an exceptional destination during the winter months for the serious and casual wildlife viewer and photographer. The rolling hills, the endless lake, the coastal sage, and the riparian areas provide a diverse habitat in a small area. Common sightings include deer, fox, and osprey. Bird watchers are drawn to Lake Jennings for its rich variety of bird species.

Sweetwater Reservoir Winter Birdwatching

The range of habitats at the Sweetwater and Loveland Reservoirs supports diverse bird populations. Their proximity to the Pacific Flyway means many migratory species are passing through on their way to warmer areas, making the winter months an ideal time to enjoy birdwatching and wildlife walks to work off holiday meals.

Over 250 bird species have been documented at the Sweetwater Reservoir. Sweetwater Authority welcomes birds and other wildlife as part of its stewardship of the natural watershed, which helps keep reservoir water quality high and supports the balance of human and environmental needs.

View birds from public access areas at the Sweetwater Reservoir or Loveland Reservoir. Bring binoculars, a bird guide, and a notebook, or just enjoy the view.