Cali Paddler Explorations - Puddingstone Reservoir, Bonelli Park

Cali Paddlers are known for their passion of exploration. A desire to paddle our waters, and pay respects to the amazing wildlife and nature that lives in our waterways. Thank you to Bret Warner from Stand up to Alzheimer’s for exploring this great state and sharing new areas to paddle. -C.P.

Puddingstone Reservoir/Bonelli Park - Map

As I have previously mentioned, lamented, I live about an hour away from the beach. While the mountain lakes are not far from my inland home the distance is still prohibitive when it comes to a before/after work weekday paddle. That's where Puddingstone reservoir, located in Bonelli Park comes in.  Nestled Northeast of the 10 and 57 junction Bonelli Park serves as an excellent escape from the inland urban sprawl, even though it is in the middle of all of it.  The lake itself has a perimeter of roughly five miles, and considering its central location you will likely be in the company of fisherman as well as other paddlers if you go out for an afternoon workout. Never have I thought the lake was too crowded, however. The lake is also home to a plethora of birds, although I cannot attest to identifying or seeing this many, I have heard that over 250 different species have been seen there.  Some of the common ones are Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, American Coot, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub-Jay, American Crow, Bushtit, Northern Mockingbird, California Towhee, Song Sparrow, and House Finch.  I am a firm believer that you do not have to be able to recognize all those to enjoy them, the variety of birds is great enough that someone with less than rudimentary knowledge of birds can still be stoked about all the different birds flying around and floating on the lake.

This was enough to keep me going to Bonelli/Puddingstone at least periodically for several years, but recently my family discovered a whole new aspect to the park. Actually my wife did when she was trying to keep both kids entertained while I raced at the North Shore Extreme earlier this year.  There are numerous playground structures and picnic areas for families. I had noticed these many times, but was always so focused on paddling that I never thought twice about them. Some of the play structures are also unique to Bonelli. One example is multiple different fake rocks all connected with ropes for kids to climb on and across. These are all close enough to the main launch area that a quick paddle can be had while the family plays and still have time for your significant other to get a workout as well. And since the lake only allows power boats on a small section far from the picnic areas it’s plenty safe to take kids paddling with you, if you can tear them away from the playgrounds long enough.

In addition to all this there are numerous cross country and mountain bike trails throughout the park, and I have seen mountain bike demos occurring on almost regular occasions on the weekends. They are usually by Norm’s Hangar, which is a pretty solid breakfast spot by the small airport adjacent to Bonelli Park.  I have often thought Bonelli Park could be a great place for a trail run/mountain bike/paddle triathlon, maybe after I run Stand up to Alzheimer’s in July this year I can expand it into a second race in socal and give this idea a shot, until then I will happily enjoy paddling there on my own, and with my family, both before work and on the weekends.

Fees - 10 to get a car in and 7 to launch a non motorized boat.  There are various places to park just outside the park, but it would be a pain to get an paddling craft from those to the water.

Launch area - Big lot, I have never seen it full. There is a grass area both in the middle of the lot, with parking spaces on both sides, and a sizable grass area leading right up to the water. There are some docks here too, but to high to launch from.

Hazards - Nothing serious. Angry fishermen if you hug the shoreline too much. Lifeguards will definitely stop you if you have no PFD on or with you, and if you paddle a hollow wooden board, they will remember you well enough so you won’t get away with it two times in a row.

Extra Local Knowledge - A lot of gates are not manned in the winter. Theoretically you could get in and launch, if you go to a non designated launch space, without paying anything at these times. In regards to this, however, I have had lifeguards ask me for my launch permit in the wintertime before.

Also, there is no vehicle entry fee on the weekdays from November thru February.

Paddlecraft allowed - The only limitation on the website is that a non motored boat must be over 8 feet in length. I have only seen SUP’s and Kayaks on the lake, but there is no reason other craft can’t play as well.

This is part of our Cali Paddler Explorations Series. We have the ambitious goal of paddling and sharing every body of water in our great state. We would love for you to share with us something by you and help us continue quest!