Clearlake
Around ClearlakeIllustration made for Popchat
Town and around · California · 67k people
Clearlake
Locals say Lake County
Life moves at the pace of the lake.
Clear Lake TealVolcanic Soil Brown
Welcome to Lake County, where Clear Lake is the heart of everything. Whether you're here for the fishing, the wine, or just the quiet pace, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors. Come for a visit and stay for the sunsets over the water.
Clubs for Clearlake
No clubs for Clearlake yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Clearlake. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Clearlake. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Clear Lake Largest natural freshwater lake entirely in California, great for fishing and boating.
- Mount Konocti Dormant volcano with hiking trails and panoramic views.
- Clear Lake State Park Camping, swimming, and picnicking on the lake's north shore.
- Anderson Marsh State Historic Park Wetlands and wildlife, with trails through tule marshes.
- Lakeport Historic Courthouse Museum Local history museum in an 1871 courthouse.
- Outdoors Fishing for bass on Clear Lake
- Outdoors Hiking Mount Konocti
- With kids Picnicking at Clear Lake State Park
- With kids Visiting the Lake County Museum
- Evenings Wine tasting evenings at local wineries
- Evenings Live music at lakeside bars and taverns
- Locals love Lakeside marinas
- Locals love Vineyard tasting rooms
Through the year
- Lake County Fair summer County fair with rides, livestock, and local exhibits.
- Kelseyville Pear Festival September Celebrates the pear harvest with food, crafts, and a parade.
- Lake County Wine Auction fall Wine tasting and auction benefiting local nonprofits.
- Clear Lake Bass Classic spring Fishing tournament attracting anglers from across the West.
- Lake County Blackberry Festival July Blackberry-themed treats, live music, and family fun in Lakeport.
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal with mild temperatures and clear skies.
Talk like a local
- “The Lake”
- Clear Lake
- “Konocti”
- Mount Konocti
- “The county”
- Lake County
- “Up valley”
- Northern part of the lake
Getaways
- Ukiah Nearby city with breweries and the Mendocino County Museum.
- Santa Rosa Shopping, dining, and the Charles M. Schulz Museum.
- Napa World-famous wineries and fine dining.
- Sacramento State capital with museums and the Sacramento River.
Local flavour
Rooting for San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, San Jose Sharks, Sacramento Kings
Eat and drink
- Fresh-caught bass and catfish from Clear Lake Local anglers and lakeside restaurants often serve these.
- Lake County Bartlett pears The region is historically known for pear orchards.
- Zinfandel from local vineyards Lake County is an emerging wine region, especially for Zinfandel.
Where people go
- Lakeside resorts and marinas The lake is the center of recreation, with docks, boat rentals, and waterfront lodges.
- Vineyard tasting rooms Wineries dot the hills, offering tastings with views of the lake.
- Pear orchards Many orchards still operate, especially around Kelseyville and Lakeport.
- Mount Konocti trails Hiking paths on the dormant volcano provide panoramic views of the lake.
- Farmers markets Seasonal markets showcase local produce, including pears, walnuts, and wine.
Heritage and traditions
Lake County is proud of its ancient, clear lake, the dormant volcano that watches over it, and a down-to-earth lifestyle rooted in fishing, wine, and pear orchards.
This time of year in Clearlake
- Bass fishing tournaments Spring and Fall Spring and fall bring major bass tournaments to the lake.
- Lake County Celtic Festival October Celebrates Celtic heritage with music, dance, and food in Lakeport.
Say it like a local: “It's a good lake day” — A local way to say 'the weather is nice'
Festivals
- Lake County Wine & Music Festival September Wine tasting and live bands at the fairgrounds in September.
- Lake County Celtic Festival October Celebrates Celtic heritage with music, dance, and food in Lakeport.
- Lake County Blackberry Festival July A summer celebration with blackberry pies, jams, and live music.
Landmarks with a story
- Lakeport Carnegie Library A 1918 Carnegie library, now a community center, listed on the National Register.
- Kelseyville Grammar School A historic school building from the early 1900s, now a community landmark.
- Old Lakeport Jail A small stone jail from the late 1800s, a quirky piece of local history.
Food traditions
- Homemade pear butter and preserves A fall tradition when local Bartlett pears are abundant; families can and share these treats.
- Grilled lake fish Bass and catfish are often grilled with lemon and herbs right at lakeside campsites.
- Wine and cheese pairings Local wineries host tastings with artisanal cheeses, a popular weekend activity.
Music and arts
- Soper Reese Theatre A historic venue in Lakeport hosting live music, plays, and films.
- Lake County Arts Council Supports local artists and hosts gallery shows and art walks.
- Winery concert series Many local wineries host summer concerts with regional bands.
A little history
- Pre-European Pomo people have inhabited the Clear Lake basin for thousands of years.
- 1849 The Bloody Island Massacre in 1849 killed many Pomo people, a tragic event in local history.
- Late 1800s Bartlett pears were introduced and became a major crop, with the first orchards planted in the late 1800s.
- 1970s The wine industry began to develop in the 1970s, now a key part of the economy.
- Geological time Clear Lake is considered one of the oldest lakes in North America, with geological origins over 2 million years ago.
Rivalries
- Clearlake vs Lakeport Friendly competition for amenities and bragging rights.
- North Lake vs South Lake Which side has better fishing and views.
- Game day Clear Lake Bass Classic
- Game day Konocti Challenge
- Outdoors Hiking Mount Konocti
- Outdoors Boating and water skiing
- With kids Swimming at Library Park
- With kids Exploring Anderson Marsh
Locals speak with a relaxed, rural California accent, often referring to Clear Lake simply as 'The Lake' and pronouncing Konocti as ko-NOK-tee. There's a friendly, unhurried cadence, and lake-related idioms slip into everyday talk.
Only here
- Clear Lake is one of the oldest lakes in North America, at over 2 million years old.
- It is the largest natural lake entirely within California.
- Mount Konocti is a dormant volcano that overlooks the lake, a striking landmark.
- The Blue Lakes are a chain of small, spring-fed lakes just north of Clear Lake, known for their clarity.
New here? A few tips
- Summer can be very hot and dry; always carry water and sunscreen when outdoors.
- Learn to call Clear Lake 'The Lake'—it's the local way.
- Be aware of algae blooms in late summer; check local advisories before swimming.
- Try the local wines—especially Sauvignon Blanc—and visit a tasting room early in your stay.
- Fishing is a way of life; even if you don't fish, a boat tour is a great way to see the lake.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaClearlake, CA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.