Overview
Nov.-Feb. : 7am-5pm, Mar.-Apr.: 6am-7pm, May-Labor Day: 6am-9pm, After Labor Day-Oct.: 6am-7pm
Swim Hours & Fees: Lifeguards are on duty from 11am-6pm during the following: Weekends and Holidays: June 17 – September 17 + Fridays in June. Daily: July 3 – August 18.
Swim at your own risk outside of the hours listed.
Parking: $6 per vehicle. $5 per trailered vehicle. Buses: $25/per bus | Dogs: $2 per dog. Guide/service dogs free | Boating: Boating, kayaking & sailing fees.
District Fishing Permit: $5/day
2500 Stanley Boulevard Pleasanton, CA 94566
Shadow Cliffs: Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 3, extension 4557
Reservations: Toll Free: 888-EBPARKS (888-327-2757), option 2, extension 4557
Internet & Cellular Access
Check AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon Coverage.
Select 'Map Layers' and switch on 'No Data Coverage Areas'
A haven for swimming and fishing can be found at Shadow Cliffs, only a mile from downtown Pleasanton on Stanley Boulevard.
Shadow Cliffs, formerly a gravel quarry, was donated to the Park District by Kaiser Industries and opened as a park in 1971. Its assessed value of $250,000 was used to obtain a matching grant for development of the park from the U.S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.
With this start, the Park District has developed a 266-acre park including an 80-acre lake and ample parking and picnic grounds. There are facilities for persons with disabilities.
Besides the main lake, Shadow Cliffs has an arroyo with a chain of smaller lakes and ponds. Check signage for latest water quality conditions. No swimming or boating is allowed here; the shady areas and quiet waters make for a peaceful retreat on hot summer days.
In 2017, solar panels were installed at Shadow Cliffs. The project includes solar panels that generate 1.2 megawatts of energy annually – enough to offset electricity use for almost the entire Park District – along with three electric-car charging stations, a recycled water line, and planting of native trees. This solar carport system also provides much-needed shade for the parking lots at Shadow Cliffs.
To Reach The Park
Maps
Park Accessibility
Shadow Cliffs offers wheelchair accessible parking, trails, picnic tables and restrooms. A wheelchair accessible fishing pier is located near the boat launch and can be reached by paved trail. The bathhouse is also accessible to wheelchair users.
Beach wheelchairs, intended to provide a means for wheelchair users to travel across the beach, are available for free, on a first-come, first-served basis. They require an assistant to push and are not intended to enter the water. To arrange for use of a chair, call the Shadow Cliffs lifeguards at (925) 484-1986. A staff member will bring the chair out to the beach. It takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare the chair. Staff will give a brief orientation to the chair and arrange a time for the chair to be returned.
The interpretive pavilion has a paved ramp that leads to a shaded area and has adjacent accessible parking spaces for visitors to enjoy.
The Lake Trail is a level, paved path with minimal incline and can be accessed via the first parking lot after entering through the kiosk station or from the marina area.
Attractions
Swimming
The swimming beach has a bathhouse and refreshment stand. Accessibility options such as Beach wheelchairs, intended to provide a means for wheelchair users to travel across the beach, are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Pets and glass containers are not allowed on the sand portion of the swim area. Swimming is not allowed in the arroyo areas. For more information regarding hours and swimming conditions, check the Shadow Cliffs swimming page.
Swim Facilities Capacity Notice
Once the swim facility capacity is reached, there will be no new entries allowed for the remainder of the day (or at the discretion of the Park Supervisor), for the safety of the public. Please take this into consideration 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 daily District Fishing Permit and a California State Fishing License is required to fish in the lake. For details on fishing in the Park District, see the Fishing section of this site.
Boating
Visitors may launch their own boats; size limit is 17 feet and only electric motors are allowed. No jet skis or gas engines are permitted. Boat rentals are also available. See our Boating and Sailing page for more information and a schedule of fees. Please note boating is not allowed in the Arroyo areas.
Picnicking
Reservable picnic areas are available. View our Shadow Cliffs Picnic Areas webpage for information. For additional information or to make a reservation, call 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2. 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.
Interpretive Pavilion
Completed in 2022, The pavilion will serve as an outdoor visitor center and gathering spot for visitors and students alike; From historical connections to wildlife habitat, the interpretive panels highlight special features found within the recreation site (or regional park site?). The pavilion includes a relief map of the park and is located at the start of many trails leading into the Shadow Cliffs including the Levee and Arroyo Trails. Many upcoming Naturalist programs and events meet at the pavilion. Check out our upcoming programs section below for more information.
