Shadow Cliffs Lake

2500 Stanley Boulevard Pleasanton, CA 94566

Park News 

Solar panels at Shadow Cliffs were installed in 2017. The project includes solar panels that generate 1.2 megawatts of energy per year–enough to offset the use of electricity for almost the entire Park District–along with three charging stations for electric cars, a new recycled water line, and native trees planting. The new solar carport system also gives the parking lots at Shadow Cliffs much-needed shade.

About The Park

Note: If your vessel is light enough to be carried safely, launching from the shoreline is permitted. The boat rentals and food concessions are open seasonally, typically from late spring to early fall.  Shadow Cliffs, just a mile from downtown Pleasanton on Stanley Boulevard, provides a haven for swimming and fishing. Kaiser Industries donated Shadow Cliffs, formerly a gravel quarry, to the Park District and opened as a park in 1971. An estimated value of $250,000 has been used to receive from the U.S. a matching park improvement grant. Outdoor recreation office. With this launch, a 266-acre park including an 80-acre lake and adequate parking and picnic grounds was established by the Park District. There are services for disabled people. Shadow Cliffs has a series of smaller lakes and ponds in addition to the main lake. Swimming or boating are not allowed here. Cool areas and calm waters make hot summer days a relaxing escape.

Park Activities

Swimming : The swimming beach has a bath and refreshment booth, open during the summer months on weekends in spring and fall, and daily. Lifeguards are in service in the summer months, but swimming in the designated area is allowed throughout the year at the expense of the swimmer. Beach wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis for wheelchair users to travel across the beach. The sand part of the swimming area is not permitted for pets and also who brings glass containers. In the arroyo zones, swimming is not allowed.

Swim Facilities Capacity Notice

Once the capacity of the swimming facility is reached, no new entries will be permitted for the remainder of the day (or at the Park Supervisor’s discretion) for public safety. Please consider this when planning your visit.

Fishing: Trout and catfish are planted weekly at Shadow Cliffs lake, and anglers can also try for bluegill and black bass. Fishing derbies are held annually. A Park District Daily Fishing Access Permit is required to fish in the lake. 

Boating: Visitors may start their own boats; the size limit is 17 feet and only electric motors are permitted. There are no jet skis or gas engines allowed. There are also boat rentals available. Boating is not allowed in the Arroyo zones, please note.

Picnicking: Reservable picnic areas are available. Please note that  alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Shadow Cliffs .

Birdwatching: Numerous waterbirds may be sighted throughout the year in the more secluded back lakes area of the park.