[1] Lake Temescal was created in 1869, after Anthony Chabot won a contract to supply the town of Oakland, California with drinking water.

Chabot had already become notable by developing a method of extracting gold from the Sierra Nevada mountains with high-pressure water cannons.

[2] Lake Temescal is the main attraction in the park, which also offers trails, picnic areas, forest habitats, and bird watching.

[3] In 1940, workers supplied by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed an imposing building overlooking the lake.

The two-level building, which has since been known as Beach House, can be rented for private events, such as group meetings, receptions and dinners.