Kelly Lake, California, USA

Take a scenic 95-mile drive south of San Francisco and you will arrive at the exclusive Kelly Lake properties in the community of Watsonville. Kelly Lake is a quiet 70-acre private lake located in California’s beautiful Monterey Bay area. Found between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey, Kelly Lake residents are only minutes away from the spectacular beaches and world-renowned scenery of central California’s Monterey Bay….
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Kelly Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Kelly Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Kelly Lake, CA

    Lake Locations: USA - US West Region - California - Bay Area Region, CA -

    Take a scenic 95-mile drive south of San Francisco and you will arrive at the exclusive Kelly Lake properties in the community of Watsonville. Kelly Lake is a quiet 70-acre private lake located in California’s beautiful Monterey Bay area. Found between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey, Kelly Lake residents are only minutes away from the spectacular beaches and world-renowned scenery of central California’s Monterey Bay.

    Evidence has been found that the land surrounding Kelly Lake was once the site of an Indian village and burial ground. The first inhabitants of the area were members of a coastal tribe named the Ohlone, or Costanoan. In 1769 Gaspar de Portola and the members of his Spanish expedition were the first recorded Europeans to see the San Francisco Bay and surrounding lands. Additional exploration and small settlements soon followed Portola, but it was the 1848 gold rush that brought great change to California. Settlers who arrived at Kelly Lake and Santa Cruz County introduced ranching and farming to the area; agriculture remains the primary industry today.

    Typical of many small California lakes, studies documenting Kelly Lake’s data are few. If you view the devastating images from of the area’s 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, it is easy to understand how the earth’s movements were the primary force behind the creation of Kelly Lake. A study of the lake’s sediments in 2000 generated the theory that Kelly Lake may have been formed when the earth’s uplift shifted a river’s course. River debris likely created a dam at the southwest end of what would become Kelly Lake. Lake sediments also tell us that there have been repeated rapid rises in lake levels, an indication that dams may have been built on Kelly Lake in the past. However, no evidence of a dam exists on spring-fed Kelly Lake today. Variations in lake levels are primarily controlled by weather and climate.

    The shallow waters of Kelly Lake are found within the community of Watsonville in the neighborhood of Interlaken. Much of Kelly Lake’s northern shore is lined with cultivated land, adding an air of tranquility to the lake. A school, local businesses and organizations share access to Kelly Lake.

    Most of Kelly Lake’s eastern shore is lined with beautiful lakeside homes. Lush landscaping leads residents from sun-swept patios to private docks where vacations begin. Whether you choose to boat, sail, waterski, fish or swim, the fun is literally at your doorstep. For those who choose to cast a line into Kelly Lake, smallmouth bass, yellow bass, sucker or Sacramento perch may be your catch of the day.

    Set in the Pajaro Valley, Watsonville and Kelly Lake residents celebrate Santa Cruz County’s thriving agricultural business. Each year the number one crop is celebrated at the Watsonville Strawberry Festival. The Santa Cruz County Fair is held each September and the fairgrounds are only blocks from Kelly Lake. To celebrate the area’s farming heritage, the Agricultural History Project presents exhibits, archives and a research center within walking distance of the lake. Surrounded by a landscape that reflects the bounty of this fertile land, local wineries, gardens and city parks invite many afternoons of outdoor exploration.

    The friendly community of Watsonville is found at the southern end of California’s San Francisco Bay Area tourism region. Within Santa Cruz County alone, you can explore 6,094 square miles of ocean at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and 29 miles of beaches found in two state parks and six state beaches. Don’t miss the opportunity to drive 35 miles south to the city of Monterrey, where you can marvel at the sea life in the Monterey Bay Aquarium, walk John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, or stroll through charming shops and dine on mouth-watering seafood at Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

    Centrally located to the dramatic scenes of Monterey Bay, Kelly Lake makes the ideal haven for an unforgettable vacation or an exclusive home for a fortunate few. Look for the perfect escape among lakefront real estate properties on Kelly Lake or vacation rentals in the community of Watsonville. Whether you choose to paddle the Pacific waves or sail sparkling lake water, make Kelly Lake more than a destination — make it home.

    Things to Do at Kelly Lake

    These are some activities in the Kelly Lake, CA area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Water Skiing
    • State Park
    • City Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Kelly Lake?

    Kelly Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Perch
    • Sacramento Perch
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sucker
    • Yellow Bass
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Kelly Lake

    If you’re considering a Kelly Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Kelly Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Kelly Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Kelly Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 70 acres

    Shoreline Length: 2 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 52 feet

    Maximum Depth: 18 feet

    Kelly Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Quarry Lakes

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Coast Trail Lakes, Point Reyes National Seashore

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Los Vaqueros Reservoir

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Kelly Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Kelly Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Kelly Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Kelly Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Kelly Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: