COMMUNITIES AND MAPS RON KEAS lAKe coUNty has a destination…for all seasons! Jump in your car. Hit the road. Discover our vibrant communities... welcome to paradise Slow down. Breathe. Get away. It’s so close. state capital of Sacramento, the wine country of Imagine a getaway: Ride back roads through Come and visit, or come to stay. Whether Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties, and the forests glowing with fall color. Hike mountaintops you’re here for a weekend, or the rest of your life, San Francisco Bay area. and catch glimpses of faraway, snow-capped the many vibrant communities of Lake County are In August and September of 2015 southern peaks. Kayak up creeks through marshlands filled waiting to be discovered. Let us be your guide. portions of Lake County experienced fires which with the sounds of migrating birds. Soak in Now imagine living in the woods, or on the ravaged 200,000 acres. While the first two fires serene pools of water warmed by ancient hot lake, or over a babbling stream. Commute to were in sparsely populated areas, the Valley Fire springs. Lay on the lawn and listen to a concert work, or work at home. Find community among in September decimated very heavily populated at the oldfashioned bandstand in the park. people who, like you, have not only found their areas burning homes, businesses and displacing Discover wineries and tasting rooms. Jump on a paradise – but decided to live there. several hundreds of people. The burned area jetski and tear off across a vast expanse of blue... Lake County is located about equidistance equates to less than 24% of the total square What do you feel like doing? Come. Relax. between the northwest coast of California, the miles of Lake County and the majority of that 88 | WWW.LAKECOUNTY.COM Did you know? Lake County has the cleanest air of all California counties – 25 consecutive years – and ranks No. 2 in the nation according to the American Lung Association’s 2016 State of the Air report. the citieS ANd towNS of lake county area was in wilderness lands. Fire struck once again in August 2016 in the Lower Lake area, consuming homes and businesses. Residents and business owners are, for the most part, rebuild- The communities here are just as varied as the centers, steamboat landings, postal stations, ing – a testimony to their resilience. terrain. There are two incorporated cities, the mining centers, or stagecoach stops. Today these Lake County covers 1,327 square miles, at ele- county seat of Lakeport on the western shore communities reflect their varied heritages and vations ranging from 1,099 to 7,056 feet above sea of Clear Lake, and the City of Clearlake on the offer a wide range of choices of places to visit, to level. Its climate is temperate, yet it still offers the eastern shore. Around the lake and scattered do business, and to live. Turn the page to learn beauty of all four seasons, and its terrain varies from throughout the hills and valleys are myriad small more about the neighborhoods of Lake County. thickly-forested mountains, to oak-studded rolling communities, some of which began as spas, grasslands and hills, to pristine shady streamside resorts, and vacation getaway destinations. Other valleys, to lakeside coves and peninsulas. communities began as ranching or farming WWW.LAKECOCHAMBER.COM | 89 COMMUNITIES AND MAPS Did you know? St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lakeport was completed in 1899; it was designed by famed San Francisco architect LAURA LAMAR lAKeport Willis Polk. the seat of government Historic Courthouse Museum Lakeport is located on the west shore of Clear along the city’s arterial roadways, away from Forbes Creek (walking) Trail and ten horseshoe Lake about two hours north of San Francisco and residential neighborhoods. pits in its 60-acre development. west of Sacramento. The city has a distinctive, small- According to a recent business climate and With a broad array of entertainment, quality town character with strong community values, a community assessment: housing and accommodations, unique events, business-friendly attitude and an emphasis on • Lakeport is an alternative to big city living. and friendly people, Lakeport offers variety to all promoting quality of life. A tourist and recre- • Lakeport’s downtown offers a unique ambi- while maintaining the quintessential charm of a ational destination, the city hosts numerous ence with lakefront vistas, and the Historic small town. Residents enjoy excellent schools activities and events throughout the year includ- Courthouse Museum Square and many extracurricular activities for children. ing youth and adult recreation programs, world- • Lakeport is designated a California Main Mendocino College offers a full curriculum of class bass fishing tournaments, wine festivals, a Street City. courses year-round at its Lake Center campus. seaplane fly-in, cultural entertainment, concerts • Lakeport is home to many businesses that Lakeport’s wonderful weather and exceptional in the park, biking, water sports, bird watching, attract hundreds of area shoppers to the environment make it quite simply a great fine dining, and much more. community each day. place to live, work and visit. As the oldest incorporated community in • Lakeport has an impressive mix of business- Learn more at CityofLakeport.com Lake County (1888), and as the county seat, es that serve the everyday needs of local the city is the regional center of commerce and residents and workers. governmental activity for the area. State O’Meara Bros. brewpub Highways 20,29 and 175 provide scenic access Lakeport offers great access to Clear Lake – the to the area. Lampson Airport is located two largest natural freshwater lake located entirely LAURA LAMAR miles to the south. within California – with several free public boat Lakeport has a population of slightly over ramps, making it popular for fishing, bird 5,100 residents with neighborhoods surround- watching, sailing and kayaking. Motels, bed ing a historic downtown area, a land area of and breakfast inns, campgrounds and vacation 2.7 square miles and median age of 40.8 rental accommodations are available. Westside years. The city’s retail trade population is over Community Park offers soccer, baseball and 35,000 people. Commercial areas are located softball fields along with a dog park and the 90 | WWW.LAKECOUNTY.COM COMMUNITIES AND MAPS Did you know? The Lake County Quilt Trail project – the first quilt trail in California – places painted quilt squares on highly visible barns and buildings around Lake County. It’s an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote and cele- brate commun ity pride. See more, page 48. NATHAN DEHART Pear Festival Parade down KelSeyville Main Street country friendliness The charming country town of Kelseyville and an olive pit spitting contest! Every June, July, Observatory and Norton Planetarium offers is home to a community of people involved August and September on the 3rd Thursday stargazing with a 16-inch computerized reflector in the area businesses, schools, churches, service evening, the Kickin’ in the Country street telescope, full dome movies, planetarium shows, groups, and cultural activities. Members of the dances – featuring different bands each month – student astronomy camps, and much more. This community take pride in the town’s amenities: lure all ages to dance on Main Street. telescope is the largest in northern California. historical sites, recreation, lodging, dining, shop- Chacewater Wine & Olive Mill is holding their Find out more at www.VisitKelseyville.com ping, and special events complemented by rural Black Label Festival on the last Saturday of July, countryside and agricultural lands. a free event that features great musicians, local Kickin’ in the Visitors and residents are drawn to the artisan crafts/arts and a new wine release on Country peace and quiet of Kelseyville. An ambiance of their Black Label. The town’s signature annual country friendliness is found in the charming event, the Kelseyville Pear Festival, takes place on NATHAN DEHART shops along Main Street, which is lined with the last Saturday of September. The first Friday historic, early 20th Century streetlamps. Take evening of December is Christmas in the Country time to discover the many wooden quilts that with a lighted parade on Main Street, merchant hang on many Main Street buildings. Enjoy open houses and tree lighting. a meal at the many eateries, taste Lake County For recreation all year, spend a day on the wines and specialized micro brewery beers lake, bike the back roads, explore water trails via at their respective tasting rooms and brewery. kayak or canoe, watch a sailboat regatta or The community is host to several special an equestrian competition, go birding or hike events during the year. In February the Wine & the trails at the Clear Lake State Park, or take in Choco late event features Lake County wines the panoramic views from atop iconic Mount paired with – you guessed it – chocolate, along Konocti, now Lake County’s newest County with delicious foods and music. The Kelseyville Park: the parking lot and main access point for Olive Festival takes place in April, with olive oil, hikers is just a few minutes from Main Street. wine, and beer tastings, a variety of food, music Located at the foot of Mount Konocti, Taylor 92 | WWW.LAKECOUNTY.COM COMMUNITIES AND MAPS Did you know? The S-Bar-S Ranch, purchased in 1882 by Benjamin Ely, expanded over the years to include farming operations, com- lakeside views mercial corrals, a two-story hotel, a post office and general store. The Ely Stage Stop was relo- cated to Soda Bay Road (Hwy 281) in 2007 and carefully restored as a Country Museum; today SodA bAy it offers visitors an opportunity to learn about Lake County’s agricultural her- itage.