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Lakes for swimming and paddling

3 destinations from the Dublin, CA area. Warm water in summer, calm shorelines, and shallow entries that work for small kids.

Destination	Kids	Drive	Days	Cost (2 nights, family of four)
Lake Tahoe (North & South)	3.8	4h 28m	3–5 days	$1,500–3,500
Mammoth Lakes	3.0	5h 36m	2–4 days	$1,500–3,500
Mount Shasta	2.6	5h 10m	1–2 days	$1,000–2,500

An alpine lake with shallow turquoise coves in summer and snow play in winter.

3.8 kids 4.0 adults 4h 28m 3–5 days $1,500–3,500

High alpine lakes, a gondola to 11,000 feet, and a cliff of hexagonal basalt columns.

3.0 kids 3.5 adults 5h 36m 2–4 days $1,500–3,500

A 14,000-foot volcano over a swimming lake, with a waterfall you can walk behind.

2.6 kids 2.8 adults 5h 10m 1–2 days $1,000–2,500

Costs are a fixed yardstick: 2 nights, family of four, lodging, food and activities. Not the cost of the stay we recommend.

Other ways to narrow it down