Los Vaqueros Reservoir, located just outside the metropolitan Bay Area, is a relatively new reservoir created in 1998 aimed at supplying drinking water to Northern California. Despite its urban proximity, the reservoir offers a slice of the wild. Visitors can often spot diverse wildlife, from deer and wild boar to soaring eagles and hawks.

Los Vaqueros Reservoir boasts a noteworthy striped bass population, which is particularly active during the spring and summer months, with catches ranging from 5-10 pounds with an occasional 30-plus pound giant. The many coves of Los Vaqueros, filled with submerged brush, are perfect hideouts not just for stripers but also a decent population of largemouth bass.

Beyond bass, the reservoir gets a healthy stocking of rainbow trout annually. During the colder months, both trolling and shoreline angling can yield solid results, with a few 10 pounders making headlines each year.

Given its role as a drinking water source, the reservoir operates under tight regulations to ensure the protection of the water and the surrounding environment. Only rental boats from the marina are allowed, with personal watercrafts being off-limits. Furthermore, the reservoir is only open during designated hours, which are updated regularly by the Contra Costa Water District.