SUNDAY DRIVE: DEL VALLE RESERVOIR
What you’ll see: Del Valle Regional Park is one of the few parks equipped to handle the hot weather in the East Bay foothills. You can swim, boat, fish and camp. And if you’re up early before the real heat, the dirt service road (East Shore Trail) above the east shore of the lake provides a great mountain-bike route with views.
Hot days: Temperatures at Del Valle are forecast to hit the 90s in the coming week and be in the 80s for Labor Day weekend.
The drive: From Livermore, the route ventures southeast through rolling foothills, then tops a rise, and the kiosk comes into view. When you enter the park, you’ll reach a fork: Turn right to go to the small marina, boat ramp and trailhead for mountain bikes; turn left to reach the far side of the lake for campground, picnic areas and hiking.
The lake: 5 miles long, 16 miles of shoreline, 46 percent full, 79degree surface water temperature.
Swimming: Two designated swimming areas are open, the East Beach and West Beach (a 10-minute walk or short drive from the campground), with lifeguards on duty from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; swim at your own risk when lifeguards are off.
Camping: There are 150 campsites on the southwest side of the lake, including 21 RV sites with hookups for water, electricity and sewage. Restrooms with showers are within walking distance. “Phase 2” campsites are closest to the water, and “Phase 4” campsites are set more inland and more wooded. $22 per night; $45 for RV sites. Reserve sites ($8 reservation fee) at (888) 327-5727, option 2, Ext. 1, or reserveamerica. com.
Sources: East Bay Regional Parks District, ESRI
Insider’s note: Campsites for Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 14-15 and on Labor Day weekend are booked ; sites are available Sunday through Thursday nights.
Boat rentals: Del Valle Marina, (925) 449-5201, rockymountainrec.com.
Boat ramp: $5 for trailered boats, $3 for car-top boats; plus required inspection for invasive mussels, $7 for boats with motors, $4 for car-top boats. Boats must be clean and dry.
Mountain biking: Park at the lot near the marina and boat ramp. Ride north on East Shore Trail (a service road), flat and easy to Venudos Group Camp. Turn right on Swallow Bay Trail and climb around pretty Badger Cove to Swallow Bay for views. The trail continues to the dam.
Lake records: 40-pound striped bass; 30pound channel catfish; 25-pound sturgeon; 22.6-pound rainbow trout; 18-pound, 2ounce largemouth bass; 9-pound king salmon; 5-pound, 12-ounce smallmouth bass; 2-pound, 2-ounce crappie; 1-pound, 14ounce redear sunfish.
Park entry fee: $6 per vehicle, $4 per trailered vehicle, $2 per dog, $5 daily fishing permit.
Map/brochure: Provided at entry kiosk; pdf at ebparks.org
How to get there: From San Francisco, take Interstate 80 east over the Bay Bridge (get in right lane) to the split with I-580. Bear right on I-580 east and drive 34 miles to Livermore and the exit North Livermore Avenue. Turn right and drive 3 miles through Livermore. After the road becomes Tesla Avenue, continue 0.5 of a mile to Mines Road. Turn right and drive 3.5 miles to Del Valle Road. Continue straight on Del Valle Road (Mines Road turns left) and drive 3.1 miles to the park entrance.
Contacts: Del Valle Regional Park, (888) 3272757, option 3, Ext. 4524.