SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today signed Senate Bill 1253 by Senator John Laird, legislation to expand recreational access at Santa Margarita Lake in San Luis Obispo County while maintaining strong water quality protections.

“Santa Margarita Lake is an incredible public resource, and advances in water treatment mean we can safely allow people to enjoy more of what the lake has to offer,” said Laird. “SB 1253 expands recreational opportunities for residents and visitors while maintaining the safeguards needed to protect our drinking water. I’m glad the Governor signed this reasonable measure into law.”

While fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking are already allowed at Santa Margarita Lake, swimming and other activities involving direct contact with the water have remained prohibited because the reservoir is a drinking water source. Advances in water treatment and monitoring now make it possible to safely allow those activities as well, including swimming, paddleboarding, windsurfing, sail or foil boarding, water access from the beach or shore, and body-contact fishing.

The legislation includes safeguards to protect the reservoir’s drinking water. Local officials will be required to continue monitoring and treating the water to meet state health standards. The City of San Luis Obispo will continue using microfiltration and disinfection to treat the water, with oversight from the State Water Resources Control Board.

Similar recreational access is already allowed at other California drinking water reservoirs, including Sly Park Reservoir and Lake Nacimiento. Expanded access at Santa Margarita Lake is also expected to support recreation, conservation, local businesses, and regional tourism.

SB 1253 requires San Luis Obispo County to report on recreational use and water quality impacts and includes a January 1, 2032 sunset date.

The County of San Luis Obispo sponsored SB 1253.

“SB 1253 is a win for our community,” said San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Heather Moreno. “It expands recreational opportunities at Santa Margarita Lake while protecting the water supply we all depend on. I appreciate Senator Laird’s leadership and partnership in getting this done.”

SB 1253 takes effect January 1, 2027.