Clear Lake, California

Lake County

Lake County has been a Northern California tourist destination since the 1880’s. A rural area growing winegrapes, pears, and walnuts, it is located directly north of the Napa Valley. It is 100 miles north of the San Francisco Bay Area, 100 miles northwest of Sacramento, and 40 miles northeast of Santa Rosa. The GPS reading for the Heron Festival at Clear Lake State Park is Latitude/Longitude: 39.0094 / 122.8106. For tourist and accommodations information please visit www.lakecounty.com.

Clear Lake

Clear Lake is the largest natural lake entirely within California’s borders. It is one of the oldest lakes in North America. Scientists say it is at least 2.5 million years old. Surrounded by mountains, it has more than 100 miles of dramatic shoreline. Its high diversity in microorganisms, fish, and plants is due to its being a warm, shallow lake. Along its shores are two state parks, as well as many county and city parks. Resorts and motels dot the shoreline, and water activities include swimming, fishing, sailing, boating, water-skiing, kayaking, and canoeing. The lake is rated by national bass-fishing tournaments as one of the very best bass lakes in the country, and major tournaments are held here every year. Anglers can catch large-mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish.

Clear Lake State Park

Clear Lake State Park is located near Kelseyville, about three miles northeast of downtown, at 5300 Soda Bay Road. The park offers camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming, and boat ramps/docks, along with an educational Visitor Center and Gift Shop. Within the park are aquatic areas, oak grasslands, oak woodlands, and chaparral zones. This variety of vegetation provides habitat for a wide range of wildlife, birds, and wildflowers. The creeks and riparian areas have river otter, muskrat, and many species of wading and water birds. Black-tail deer are seen everywhere. The higher, dry elevations are home to bobcat, mountain lion, and numerous smaller mammals. Woodpeckers and raptors are also found here, and songbirds are seen and heard in all areas of the park.

“Important Bird Areas”

Lake County has over 300 species of local and migrating birds. The entire Clear Lake Area of 50,000 acres has been designated an “Important Bird Area” (IBA’s) by scientists of the National Audubon Society. Clear Lake State Park, Anderson Marsh State Park, Rodman Slough County Park, and High Valley are particularly rich in bird-life. The parks are easily accessible to festival visitors. Visit our “Unique Birds” page to learn more about the amazing courtship displays of “Dancing” Western and Clark’s grebes, or Osprey with six-foot wingspans, or the many beautiful herons and egrets in the county.

Tourist Attractions

Lake County has been a tourist destination since the 1880’s when a number of resorts were built to attract weekend and summer visitors from the Bay Area and the Sacramento Valley. That legacy of tourism continues today. The county’s volcanic soils have made it a premium winegrape-growing area, and there are now 18 wineries in the county, many of them with tasting rooms. The San Francisco Chronicle’s weekly Wine Section on July 20, 2006, featured an extensive article about the growing reputation of Lake County wines. The county has biking paths, hiking trails, and an audio-CD guided-tour. There are several golf courses, and three Indian casinos.

Accommodations

Lodging in Lake County ranges from the newly restored historic Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake, to the well-known Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa featuring concert series with nationally-famous musicians. Many interesting small resorts and bed-and-breakfast lodgings, as well as motels, are also available. Camping is offered at Clear Lake State Park. The Lake County Visitor Center can provide detailed information to help you select a place that fits your interests and budget.

More information

You can obtain more information about attractions and accommodations by calling the Lake County Visitor Center at 800-525-3743 or visiting their website at www.lakecounty.com.