The Northshore & Blue Lakes
Blue Lakes and the Northshore communities of Lake County, Upper Lake, Nice, Lucerne, Glenhaven, and Clearlake Oaks, stretch along Highway 20, which hugs the scenic northern shoreline of Clear Lake. From Lakeport, take Highway 29 north to the intersection of Highways 29 and 20. Left head on Highway 20 leads to Blue Lakes, right on Highway 20 leads east into Upper Lake, the westernmost community along the Northshore. Continuing east, other Northshore communities include Nice, Lucerne, Glenhaven, and Clearlake Oaks.
Driving times...
Lakeport to Upper Lake, approximately 15 minutes
Upper Lake to Nice, approximately 10 minutes
Nice to Lucerne, approximately 10 minutes
Lucerne to Glenhaven, approximately 15 minutes
Glenhaven to Clearlake Oaks, approximately 10 minutes
Clearlake Oaks to Clearlake, approximately 10 minutes
Clearlake to Lower Lake, approximately 10 minutes
Lower Lake to Middletwon, approximately 25 minutes
Spotlight...
Eleven Roses Ranch
Offering a variety of tours, including one at their very own family ranch, Eleven Roses Ranch was settled in 1883 in Long Valley in northeastern Lake County. This 90-minute narrated mule-drawn wagon ride meanders through a valley rich with history, wildlife, and magnificent wildflowers in spring and ends with an authentic chuck wagon barbecue, complete with Dutch oven cobbler cooked over coals and Lake County complimentary wine. The owners of Eleven Roses also offer a Lake County winery tour, and yes, this means a designated driver and comfortable seating in a 16-passenger motor coach. Gourmet lunch is included. Other tours include a historic sightseeing tour, which provides a deeper look at Lake County’s history and ancestors — from Native American tribes who lived off the land and lake for thousands of years to 19th-century European settlers who planted the vineyards and pear trees for which the area is now nationally recognized. Also offered is a general step-on tour guide service for large groups of visitors to Lake County. (707) 998-4471.
What to do? Here are some suggestions...
Gaming
| Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino | |||
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1545 E. Highway 20, Nice, CA 95464 (800) 270-0757 (707) 262-3700 www.rrrc.com |
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| The hotel and casino is on the beautiful north shore of Clear Lake. An 800-seat showroom allows guests to watch headline shows with comfortable seating, an enhanced environment and an up-close-and-personal experience. The full service R-Bar is a sports bar showcasing a video wall of high-definition television screens plus separate video screens featuring Closed Circuit Boxing, NFL Season Ticket, MLB Season Pass, NBA, and more. | |||
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Wine Tasting
| Brassfield Estate Winery | |||
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10915 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 (707) 998-1895 www.brassfieldestate.com Tasting room open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Tours by appointment. Limited tasting also available at Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS). | ||
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With a Tuscan-style winery located at his vineyard estate in High Valley, Jerry Brassfield, along with business partner and winemaker Kevin Robinson, has an idyllic setting for grapes and guests alike. With official AVA status granted in 2005, the High Valley appellation is one of California’s newest, and unlike many California coastal valleys that typically run north-south, High Valley’s orientation is east-west, approximately one mile wide and five miles long. The valley’s topography has created several distinct microclimates and its geology has resulted in a combination of volcanic soils along the hillsides and alluvial soils on the valley floor, which sits at an elevation of 1,800 feet. Excavation is underway on one of the largest wine cave systems in North America. Totaling 75,000 square feet when complete, currently 15,000 square feet of the wine cave system is finished and houses 1,500 barrels of wine. The system is interconnected and has four entrances with plans for a public area to hold wine club parties and special events. Brassfield’s meticulously planted vineyards on the cooler valley floor are perfect for white varietals such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, while the hillside vineyards are ideally suited for red varietals such as Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet, and Merlot. Picnic areas shaded by centuries-old oak trees dot the estate as do natural wildlife corridors that traverse the vineyards. Brassfield is quickly gaining prestige for its estate-grown varietals, many of which have racked up impressive awards. | |||
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| Ceago Vinegarden | |||
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5115 E. Highway 20 Nice, CA 95464 (707) 274-1462 www.ceago.com Tasting Room open daily Noon to 5:00 p.m., tours by appointment. Limited tasting also available at Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS). Organic and Biodynamic | ||
| Situated along two miles of lakeshore, the agricultural resort-style winery, Ceago Vinegarden, owned and operated by Jim Fetzer of the prominent winemaking family, promotes a holistic farming environment for plant and animal life. A showcase of biodynamic winemaking and agriculture, the development surrounds a Hacienda-style compound of buildings with herb gardens, grapes, kiwis, olives, walnuts, figs, lavender, a variety of seasonal plantings and winegrapes — the primary production crop — including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc. Domestic and wild animals wander the property, demonstrating how both animal and plant kingdoms work together in an agricultural environment. | |||
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| Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery | |||
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| 12599 E. Highway 20 Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 (707) 998-9656 www.shannonridge.com Tasting room open daily, 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | |||
| After meeting at a Napa Valley winery where they both worked, Clay and Margarita Shannon would eventually use their common vision to take the reins with their own winery. Shannon Ridge uses fruit from the High Valley AVA in Clearlake Oaks, where the Shannons have pioneered more than 300 acres of mountain vineyards. Sited in blankets of brick-red earth — at altitudes up to 2,400 feet — the vineyards are nestled between the waters of Clear Lake to the south and snow-capped mountains to the north. The lean and rocky volcanic soil has kept its promise to grow vines that produce small berries with concentrated flavors, which compose the luscious, fruit-driven wines that lift Shannon Ridge’s reputation to the same elevations as the grapes that distinguish it. Voted one of the Top 10 hottest brands by Wine Business Monthly in December 2006, Shannon Ridge has brought home numerous awards from prestigious competitions. Positioned between the shoreline of Clear Lake and Highway 20, the tasting room sits inside a 100-plus-year-old schoolhouse surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds with 18 picnic tables, making it a perfect spot for a picnic lunch. | |||
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| Tulip Hill Winery & Vineyards | |||
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4900 Bartlett Springs Road Nice, CA 95464 (707) 274-9373 www.tuliphillwinery.com Tasting room open daily, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Winery tours Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. | ||
| Home to 30,000 tulips imported annually from Holland in gorgeous gardens that surround the winery, Tulip Hill Winery is as colorful as its wine list. The winery is home to the annual Festival of Tulips – a day of winetasting, gourmet hors d’oeuvres from local purveyors, live music, and winery demonstrations. With 50 years of California farming experience, the Brown family opened Tulip Hill Winery and surrounded it with the same colorful tulips he’d planted at his Tulip Hill Pope Valley Vineyard in Napa. Tulip Hill also has a tasting room in Rancho Mirage, near Palms Springs, California. | |||
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| High Valley Vineyard | |||||
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13151 E. Highway 20 Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 (707) 799-5523 www.highvalleywine.com Tasting room open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday noon to 6:00 p.m. | ||||
| Dedicated to producing memorable ultra-premium varietal wines from one of California’s newest appellations, the High Valley AVA, High Valley Estate Vineyards owners Dustin and Bobbie Brassfield purchased their property and planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc beginning in 1999. | |||||
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Where To Eat
| Blue Wing Saloon & Cafe | ||
| 9520 Main Street | California Comfort | (707) 275-2233 |
| Upper Lake, CA 95485 | Reservations | L - D - Sunday Brunch |
| www.bluewingsaloon.com Musicians play the Blue Wing blues at the Blue Wing Saloon & Café on Monday evenings. Guests are welcomed to have dinner at a cozy table indoors, sit down for a drink or appetizer at the handcrafted walnut bar, or relax outside under the stars in the heated veranda. Sunday brunch in the garden also features live music, and other special events are offered throughout the year. | ||
| Boathouse Bar & Barbecue | ||
| 2685 Lakeshore Blvd. | BBQ/American | (707) 274-2534 |
| Nice | L - D | |
| Happy Garden | ||
| 13440 E. Highway 20 | Thai/Chinese | (707) 998-0398 |
| Clearlake Oaks | Reservations | L - D |
| Kour-Thai | ||
| 6269 E. Highway 20 | Thai | (707) 274-8002 |
| Lucerne | L - D | |
| The Marina Grill | ||
| 3707 E. Highway 20 | American | (707) 274-9114 |
| Nice | B - L - D | |
Where to Stay
| Featherbed Railroad Company | |||
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2870 Lakeshore Blvd., Nice, CA 95464 (707) 274-8378 (800) 966-6322 www.featherbedrailroad.com |
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| A unique bed and breakfast resort experience featuring nine antique railroad cabooses, each distinctively decorated with an individual theme. Most of the cabooses feature in-room Jacuzzi tubs and all have an incredible view of Clear Lake. With a huge variety of nearby recreation including almost 30 wineries, this unique and romantic getaway is the perfect place to celebrate being in love or just enjoying the tranquility of the peaceful surroundings. Enjoy the private dock, sit on the porch of the 100-year-old Main Station or languish in the pool. Full breakfast daily crafted from locally-sourced and home-made ingredients. Great for groups, weddings and very special events. Open year 'round. | |||
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| Gingerbread Cottages | |||
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4057 E. Highway 20, Nice, CA 95464 (707) 274-0200 (888) 880-LAKE www.gingerbreadcottages.com |
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| These ten lakefront cottages offer a full kitchen, private bath, deck or patio, daily chocolate truffles or petit fours, snack basket; with magnificent lake and mountain views; most are one bedroom. A delicious European continental breakfast is delivered to each cottage. Complimentary wine tasting passes to two local wineries (within 1 mile) year round. Inquire about private boat tours of Clear Lake. Complimentary summertime weekend boat shuttle to Ceago Del Lago Winery also available. Small non-shedding dogs are welcomed with treats. Outdoor smoking only. Open year-round. | |||
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| Tallman Hotel | |||
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9550 Main Street, Upper Lake, CA 95485 (707) 275-2244 www.tallmanhotel.com |
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| Lake County’s first boutique hotel, originally built in the 1890s. It was recently renovated and has been listed on the California Register of Historic Resources as a Point of Historical Interest. The Tallman Hotel features 17 guest rooms, each designed with Eastlake-style furniture, antique plumbing fixtures, and luxurious bedding. The hotel is decorated in a rustic chic aesthetic with antiques, custom handcrafted furniture, and hand-painted murals. The hotel’s garden suites feature either private balconies or garden patios with Japanese soaking tubs. The property offers a swimming pool with hot tub, an executive meeting room, and a collection of gardens that produce the vegetables and flowers for the hotel and restaurant. Numerous events are held at the Tallman Hotel, including a four-day blues festival in the summer. | |||
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| The Bungalow | |||
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10195 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 (707) 998-0399 www.thebungalow.com |
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| Enjoy a full home-made breakfast as well as afternoon wine and appeitizers. Explore at your leisure the extensive gardens. Open May through September. Two night minimum on the weekend. | |||
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| The Lodge at Blue Lakes | |||
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5135 W. Highway 20, Blue Lakes, CA 95485 (707) 275-8070 www.thelodgeatbluelakes.com |
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| Located on Upper Blue Lake. 20 units, 10 with kitchenettes. Rooms recently renovated with hardwood floors in sleeping quarters, ceramic tile in bathrooms, new applicances and granite countertops in kitchenettes. | |||
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| Narrows Lodge and Resort | |||
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5690 Blue Lakes Road, Upper Lake, CA 95485 (707) 275-2718 www.thenarrowsresort.com |
$-$$$ | |
| Located on Blue Lakes. 14 rooms, 5 cabins, 32 RV and camp sites. | |||
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The Official Tourism Site for Lake County, California © Lake County Marketing and Economic Development Program. All rights reserved. | FOR VISITOR INFORMATION, please call 1-800-LAKESIDE.
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