Facility Overview
The Lake Gregory South Gate and Parking Lot (frequently identified as South Beach Parking or Lot B) serves as the primary gateway to the premier recreational shorelines of Lake Gregory Regional Park in Crestline, California. Positioned directly along San Moritz Drive, this open-air surface parking facility provides immediate pedestrian access to the lake\'s southernmost amenities. Designed as a spacious, single-level asphalt lot, the facility features unobstructed vertical clearance, making it fully accessible for passenger vehicles of all sizes, including full-size pickup trucks, SUVs, lifted overland rigs, and passenger vans equipped with kayak or paddleboard roof racks.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
This parking area is the closest and most convenient parking spot for visitors targeting the Lake Gregory waterpark and sandy swim shores. Located just steps away from the South Beach entry gates, drivers enjoy immediate access to:
- Lake Gregory Swim Beach & Water Park: Directly adjacent, offering family-friendly sandy swimming areas, water slides, and an inflatable floating obstacle course.
- Lake Gregory Trail: Seamless access to the 2.7-mile scenic walking loop encircling the entire reservoir perimeter.
- San Moritz Lodge: Located less than half a mile east along San Moritz Drive, making it a viable overflow location for weddings, conferences, and community gatherings.
- Historic Crestline Village & Lake Drive: Situated roughly 0.8 miles away, presenting local mountain cafes, bakeries, alpine diners, and antique shops.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Vehicular ingress and egress are arranged directly off San Moritz Drive, a well-paved two-lane mountain thoroughfare wrapping the lake basin. Drivers typically arrive via California State Route 138 (CA-138) connecting directly to CA-18 (Rim of the World Highway), which descends down to the San Bernardino valley and connects to Interstates 215, 10, and 210. Public transportation connectivity is provided by Mountain Transit (MARTA), which runs mountain-corridor bus service through Crestline and nearby Lake Arrowhead. Due to single-lane mountain road access, traffic exiting onto Lake Drive and CA-138 can back up slightly following holiday fireworks displays, major summer weekend afternoons, and peak event closures.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Spacious, uncovered surface lot accommodating oversized family vehicles and roof gear.
- Designated accessible parking spaces close to the South Beach ticketing and entrance pavilion.
- Automated contactless payment integration via the ParkMobile mobile app as well as on-site digital pay kiosks.
- Close proximity to on-site park restrooms, picnic areas, trash receptacles, and shade canopies.
- Pedestrian walkway connectors separating foot traffic from vehicular circulation lanes.
Ideal For
- Families and beachgoers spending the day at the Lake Gregory swim beach and splash zone.
- Water sports enthusiasts bringing inflatable kayaks, paddleboards, and water equipment.
- Hikers, trail runners, and dog walkers seeking immediate access to the shoreline trail.
- Anglers targeting trout, bass, and catfish along the south and east shoreline banks.
Visitor & Driver Tips
During warm summer weekends, especially from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the South Gate lot experiences intense demand and often fills up before mid-day. Visitors are strongly advised to arrive before 10:00 AM or consider arriving in the late afternoon once morning beachgoers depart. Ensure you note your license plate number before approaching the pay machine, or download and set up the ParkMobile application before ascending the mountain, as cell service can occasionally fluctuate across mountain corridors.
