Mental snapshots of California conjure up images of bumper to bumper traffic, hills lightly veiled in brown haze, and towering signs pointing to Hollywood and Disneyland. But those who know the state best realize that a hidden turn onto a back road will uncover California as it used to be.

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is one of those. It's tucked in the Santa Ynez Mountains on a back road off of a,…well,…back road. Folks who want to take the scenic route from Los Angeles to the Bay Area head up Highway 101 out of Ventura. This coastal highway is beautiful in its own right. It winds through lush agricultural areas, along miles of wide open beaches, and through rolling, oak-covered foothills.

But if you can bring yourself to turn off 101 for less than forty miles, watch for Highway 154 just north of Santa Barbara and turn north and east to climb San Marcos Pass. The higher you climb, the more you realize why this is the country where Ronald Reagan chose to ranch and where the late Michael Jackson invested in his Neverland dream.

Then, just over a hill, you catch your first glimpse of Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. This 6600 acre recreation area is a first-rate public park with wonderful camping facilities, pools, lake cruises, and some of the best fishing in the state. The combination of steep, rocky drop-offs and large shallow areas form an ideal habitat for rainbow trout, very large catfish, and small and large mouth bass as well as many other varieties. The trout record here is a nice 12.5 pounds.

A new owner just took over the Marina and Boat Rental concession. Rentals are reasonable, and may be rented for everything from an hour to a month to an entire year. A Cachuma Lake fishing permit is required. Both annual and day passes are available. Fishing derbies are quite popular here. The biggest one is the Trout Derby held in mid April. It is a benefit for the nonprofit Cachuma Lake Nature Center.

But Cachuma is not just for fishing. It is home to deer, bobcat, 275 species of birds, and wintering bald eagles. Five self-guided trails ranging from a short loop to four miles one way are scattered throughout the park, and within just a few minutes you can access several major hiking trailheads in Los Padres National Forest.

Cachuma is extremely well managed and maintained. There is a general store, gas station, laundry, and hot shows. The Marina is open year-round and sells bait and tackle, fuel and fishing licenses. There is also a Family Fun Center with snack bar and grill, swimming pool, video games and miniature golf.

As Cachuma Lake is a domestic water supply, swimming, water skiing, windsurfing, or any other body contact with the water is strictly prohibited. Regattas of 8 or more boats must notify the park at least one week in advance of the event. Canoes, kayaks and rafts are not allowed on the lake. Neither are dogs.