11 minute read
Lake County - Our Towns
LAKE COUNTY - OUR TOWNS
Story by Trudy Wakefielde
Join us in Lake County for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Take a moment to unwind, breathe deeply, and immerse yourself in the serene beauty that surrounds you. Whether you’re looking for a short getaway or considering making Lake County your permanent home, our diverse and vibrant communities are ready to welcome you with open arms. Picture yourself living amidst the lush woods, by the tranquil lake, or beside a babbling stream. Embrace the flexibility of working from home or commuting to work while enjoying the natural splendor of your surroundings. Connect with like-minded individuals who have also discovered their own piece of paradise in the many towns throughout Lake County.
MIDDLETOWN
Middletown originally served as the stage stop between the towns of Lower Lake and Calistoga, where miners and cowboys would spend a night before switching stages and heading on their way. In the hundred and fifty years since, Middletown has become a destination in its own right, combining elements of the West with an artistic vibe. Just down the street from the still-used hitching posts and the fragrant smoke of Barbecue by Biasotti, you’ll find the MAC, a community hub filled with local artwork and regular live music. At the beginning of each month, they celebrate First Fridays, and the town comes alive; a few blocks away on Friday evenings, you’ll find Middletown’s thriving farmers’ market, where it’s possible to pick up a wide selection of locally grown and handcrafted items. If you’re looking for some great gaming and live music, stop by Twin Pine Casino, which not only has great dining options but also regularly hosts concerts. But one of the special parts of Middletown happens every summer when they hold Middletown Days. The rodeo comes to town, and everyone dances to country music late into the night.
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE
Home to Lake County’s only eighteen-hole golf course, Hidden Valley Lake is a great location for its residents to enjoy a scenic work drive through wine country into Santa Rosa or Napa Valley. Only five minutes from Middletown, it’s a world apart. While you’re there, be sure to grab a bite to eat at the Greenview Restaurant Located on the golf course, it’s a perfect pre- or post-game watering hole.
COBB
Once you start heading up Highway 175, everything begins to change. The temperature drops, pine trees begin to appear, and you disappear into the mountains. If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, spend the day mountain biking or hiking at Boggs Mountain Demonstration Forest. On a clear day, you can see the Sierras, the Pacific Ocean, and the Bay Area. Long known for its resorts, the Cobb area still has a retro charm. Spend the day at Pine Grove Resort and dip in their natural spring-fed pool before sunbathing or enjoying a game of volleyball on the expansive lawn. Grab a bite to eat and play a round at Adams Springs Golf Course–the restaurant is built almost exclusively from local trees. Or, if you want to slow down and soak in the beauty of the Mayacamas Mountains, book a stay at Mandala Springs Wellness Retreat Center. Situated on 200 acres of land, there’s plenty of room to quiet yourself, meditate, and relax.
LOWER LAKE
One of Lake County’s oldest towns and home to its first one-room jail and first brick schoolhouse, Lower Lake’s filled with history. Stop by the Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum for a trip into Lake County’s past, with exhibits that showcase everything from stagecoach robber Black Bart to famed Lilly Langtry. But there’s more to Lower Lake than just history. Stop by Aloha Bay Candles on Main Street–as soon as you open the door, you step into a working candle factory filled with warmth and inviting scents. Just across the street, you’ll see Tortilleria la Unica, a much different kind of factory–here you can pick up mouthwatering handmade tortillas and salsas. And if you didn’t smell the smoke on the way into town, you’ll be sure to on the way out. No trip to Lower Lake is complete without a visit to Danny’s Roadside Kitchen, where you can get Texas-style barbecue thoughtfully crafted by a chef trained at Napa’s famed French Laundry. For the outdoor lover (or if you just need to work off those incredible ribs you had for lunch), a trip to Anderson Marsh State Park is a must. With miles of trails and ten thousand years of history, it’s not just a park; it’s a trip to another time.
CLEARLAKE
Lake County’s largest city, Clearlake, has a growing entertainment scene. Of course, you’ll find some of the best boat launches on the lake there and regular bass tournaments, but that’s not all.
Throughout the summer, Clearlake hosts live music, craft fairs, and events in Austin Park. It’s a perfect place to bring a blanket, kick back, and watch the sun slowly set behind Mount Konocti. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, head to Clear Lake Campground and rent a kayak for the afternoon. Located on Cache Creek, the campground is a great launching pad for a day of exploration. And if you’re looking for local produce and great food, be sure to stop by the Farmers’ Market.
NORTH SHORE
(Clearlake Oaks, Nice, Glenhaven, Lucerne)
For spectacular views of North America’s oldest lake, look no further than the drive on Highway 20 from Clearlake Oaks to Nice. The road winds along Clear Lake, providing ample spots to pull over and get great photos of Mt. Konocti. And if you’re lucky enough to visit in spring, the mountainsides fill with the red, yellow, pink, and orange colors of massive wildflower blooms. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Be sure to take a short detour from Clearlake Oaks up to High Valley, where you can explore the grounds of Brassfield Estate Winery. Bring a picnic lunch, or if you prefer, grab some Chinese takeout from Happy Garden before you head up the mountain. Leaving Clearlake Oaks, you’ll head towards Lucerne, which has two great options to launch a boat or sit and enjoy the sunshine: Alpine and Harbor parks. And if you’ve got a second, stop by Lakeside Arts and Gifts, a shop filled with locally crafted items. Nice, the next stop on the highway, has several great ways to pass some time. For waterfront dining and great live music, be sure to visit The Boathouse Bar and Grill. And if you’re looking for something completely different and unique, you have to stop by the Lunchbox Museum, an eclectic collection of retro lunchboxes and classic Americana. Odds are, after all the fun, you’ll be tired, so grab a room and spend the evening enjoying the slots at Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino before continuing your journey.
UPPER LAKE
If you’re looking for an authentic NorCal Experience, stop by Upper Lake. This town still keeps its Old West feel. Anchored by the historic Tallman Hotel and its neighboring Blue Wing Saloon, it’s the perfect place to get away, experience the small-town atmosphere, and sip on a handcrafted cocktail as you listen to some of the best blues musicians in California. Plus, Upper Lake is an outdoor paradise. Head just a couple minutes out of town, and you’re in the 913,000-acre Mendocino National Forest. But if wandering through the wilderness isn’t your thing, you can always grab a latte at Double D’s Coffee or a great sandwich at Upper Lake Grocery, and enjoy a game of blackjack at Running Creek Casino. And if you come on the first Saturday of the month, Lake County’s largest antique store, Vintage Antiques, has a massive parking lot sale–spend some time wandering, and you’ll find everything from swords to saddles.
BLUE LAKES
Located at the northwestern edge of Lake County, Blue Lakes provides a perfect place to step away from it all and enjoy the moment. These lakes are made for warm summer days, picnics, and long swims in their cool, sapphire-blue waters. Surrounded by steep mountain slopes, Blue Lakes feels like a hidden treasure. If you’re looking for a romantic weekend getaway, check into the Lodge at Blue Lakes. With an event center, it’s perfect for wedding parties and family reunions. Plus, you can rent one of their electric pontoon boats and spend a day exploring the waterways. If camping is more your style, book a spot at Pine Acres Resort or The Narrows Both have waterfront spots available, as well as a few cabins for rent, and all offer beach access. If you need to stock up on anything, look no further than Blue Lakes Market, which carries a selection of fishing gear, beer, wine, and plenty of food options.
LAKEPORT
Lakeport is a town filled with hidden discoveries. Resting on the shores of Clear Lake, it’s home to the county courthouse, city offices, and several great parks. Spent a few hours at the Courthouse Museum Park, home to the original courthouse, now converted into a fascinating museum with exhibits spanning from indigenous Pomo tule boats to stories of Bigfoot sightings. Just one block away, you’ll encounter Library Park, which always has something going on, from fireworks on the 4th of July to live music in the gazebo all summer. And Lakeport’s newest addition, Xabatin “Big Water” Community Park, with its skate park, ninja gym, and splash pad, is a perfect place to spend a summer day. If you’re looking for fine dining, you have to try On the Waterfront, a tasting room/restaurant that features perfectly paired wine and food combinations curated by owner and award-winning winemaker Bryan Kane. Next door, you’ll find Park Place Restaurant, which hand rolls all its pasta noodles and grows its own greens on a local farm. And if a good burger is more your thing, head to the Gaslight Grill on Main Street for a hand crafted bacon blue burger.
KELSEYVILLE
Pear orchards and vineyards bump up to the edges of the small country town Kelseyville, where Mount Konocti towers over Main Street and friendly locals chat on the sidewalks. Increasingly popular for its rolling vineyards, unpretentious wineries, mountain hikes, cold brews, and local eats, Kelseyville’s a small-town paradise. Grab your morning coffee at Studebakers, shop for local artisan goods at Maker in A+H General Store and The Painted Bird Gallery, then walk down the street and taste at the relaxed Fore Family Vineyards. Bring hiking boots and take the 6+ mile round trip to the 4,304 ft. peak of Mt. Konocti. Then be sure to save your energy to enjoy a drink at the historic Brick Tavern or some handcrafted ales and seltzers at Kelsey Creek Brewing, but don’t forget to make a reservation for a porch table at the Saw Shop Public House and watch farmers, growers and ranchers enjoying locally sourced foods.
