Lake Lopez Rocky Point and Marina Trails

The Rocky Point and Marina Trails at Lake Lopez are a steep (12% grade) 0.8 km walk through dry grasses over a hill and to the other side, with views of the lake on both sides. Lake Lopez is a large lake not far from San Luis Obispo. The drive there is pretty, as you wind around tall, dry hills. You pass a Danish style house on the hill, vineyards, and cows. Once you reach the lake, you park in the entrance parking lot by a sloping lawn on the lake. Behind you is a trailhead, somewhat hidden, near the windmill and dark wood structure on a dry hill. Here, there is a sign for the Rocky Point and Marina Trail. They are both short so it's easy to do both. One gives you views of the part of the lake you just saw by the lawn, and the other takes you to the other side of the hill. Here there is a dead-end offshoot of the trail with a fantastic cool breeze- go here if you are too hot! The other offshoot takes you down to the marina, past two picnic areas. You see views of the water and oak trees hung with Spanish moss. The picnic areas are grassy with some shade from trees, but they don't look that appealing because the lake has algae at its shore and some signs warning about the algae. Once at the marina, there is an uninspiring-looking marina store which we didn't enter, and some docks where people are loading their boats into the lake. The docks area is hot with no shade. 

At the marina area, you can rent canoes, pedal boats, and larger boats. 
If you are looking for hikes that don't hurt your knees, check out my gentle incline hikes page. 
Tally Vineyards, which is on the way to Lake Lopez, nine minutes before the entrance, has summer live music on eight different Sundays 1-4pm, May to August. Check their facebook page.
After, you can drive into Arroyo Grande town and have an ice cream at Rori's Artisanal Creamery, or a flavored sparking water or fresh-baked pastry at The Mule Bakery. Then walk down to the creek (Kiwanis Park) and enjoy the tropical trees and plants along the path (this area is somewhat deserted so bring a friend).

Directions

The entrance to Lake Lopez is a bit further than google maps tells you, if you only ask for Lake Lopez. "Lake Lopez Campground (entrance)" is where you want google maps to take you. Once you reach the booth, you must pay $12 to enter. You then drive in, take the first left, and park your car. The trailhead is there, by the windmill and dark wood structure on a hill.

Click on map for interactive view