Although we windsurf at Lopez Lake, the following information would be useful to kiteboarders as well. Kites are technically banned from lopez, but I still see them there at times.

We love Lopez! If you haven't been able to tell by now, we prefer flat-water speed sailing. This is our place to get it in California.

Lopez Lake is located in Arroyo Grande, just east of Pismo Beach in Central California. It is a gorgeous mountain lake surrounded by wildlife like deer, turkeys, peacocks, foxes, raccoons, turkey vultures, blue herons and snowy egrets. We watch the wildlife by the lake every morning before the wind comes up. The sailing is fast and easy.

From late spring into summer, Lopez blows! In 2002, almost everyday blew 18 to 25mph with many days blowing 25 to 30 mph. The water is always warm and flat and the people are always friendly. The lake offers loads of camp sites, but reservations are recommended in the summer.

We reserve our camp sites a year in advance and drive our Volkswagen Winnebago, with a custom windsurf rack attached to the back, up on Thursday nights. We spend two to three days here almost every week in the summer.

Lopez Lake is surrounded by some of the best wineries in the US. If the wind is down, wine tasting is a suitable substitute. There is also a hot springs near by to relax your tired muscles.

We canÕt say enough about this lake located off the beaten path. Sail it if you get a chance.