15 Things to do in Clearlake, CA
Clearlake is one of those places that somehow still flies under the radar. Two hours north of San Francisco, it’s all wide-open skies, quiet roads, and a big, beautiful lake surrounded by hills and vineyards. No crowds. No pressure. Just clean air and a slower pace.
It’s perfect if you’re into hiking, wine, or just floating around in a kayak with nowhere to be. Let’s take a look at the best things to do in and around Clearlake, CA.
1. Hike Mt. Konocti
You can’t miss Mt. Konocti – that big volcano towering over the lake like it’s keeping watch. I hiked it myself, and honestly, it was one of the highlights of my trip. The trail up to Wright Peak is a steady climb, about 3 miles each way. The first part is a bit dull, but then it opens up into these quiet oak forests, and suddenly you’re passing an old cabin from the early 1900s. There’s even the wreckage of a small plane tucked off the path. Not something you expect to see on that hike.
But the real payoff is the view at the top. You’ve got Clear Lake laid out beneath you like a postcard, and it’s dead quiet up there. Peaceful in that kind of way that makes you forget about everything else.
There’s also this local legend I loved: people say the mountain hides a massive underground cavern, partly filled with lake water and connected by tunnels. Most of the caves have collapsed or been sealed, but the idea of a hidden world under your feet? That stuck with me.
2. Get on the Water
If you’re anywhere near Clearlake and don’t get on the water, you’re doing it wrong. This lake is massive, with over 100 miles of shoreline, and it’s perfect for lazy mornings in a kayak or paddleboard. I remember the morning when I paddled around Cache Creek. The lake was still, the air was cool, and everything felt quiet and half-asleep.
Cache Creek is one of the best places to launch if you’re into calm water and wildlife. The creek winds past Anderson Marsh, so while you’re paddling, you’re also getting a front-row seat to one of the most peaceful wetland areas in the county. In early summer, you can even spot grebes nesting on floating platforms, which is wild to see up close. Bring binoculars if you’re into birds – or just want an excuse to paddle slowly.
If you want something quieter and even prettier, head over to Blue Lakes. The water’s clearer, colder, and tucked between hills. You can rent kayaks or just float in an inner tube and forget what day it is.
Wondering if Clear Lake is safe to swim in? Check out our small guide.
And if you want to stay close to the water, there are plenty of Clear Lake lakefront rentals and cozy beach houses that put you just steps from the shoreline.
3. Go Fishing
Clear Lake isn’t just the biggest natural freshwater lake in California – it’s also one of the best bass fishing spots in the entire western U.S. People come from all over for the tournaments here, but you don’t need to be a pro to enjoy it. Even if you’re just casting off the shore, there’s a good chance you’ll land something.
Bass is the big name around here, but there’s also plenty of catfish, crappie, and bluegill. Some folks swear by early morning, others by golden hour, but honestly, the whole day’s good as long as you’re out there. I saw more than one boat just drifting along while the sun did its thing and the lake stayed glassy.
If you want a solid home base, Clear Lake Campground is right on Cache Creek and has a mellow, fish-all-day kind of vibe. Or just find a quiet spot, crack open something cold, and see what bites.
4. Explore Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
If you’re looking for Clear Lake activities that don’t involve getting soaked or sunburned, Anderson Marsh is a solid pick. This place blends nature, history, and quiet trails in a way that feels pretty special. You can walk through wide-open wetlands, oak woodlands, and even visit what’s left of an old ranch from the 1800s.
I liked how peaceful it was. No crowds, no noise, just the sound of birds and the occasional splash from something unseen in the reeds. There’s a short boardwalk trail and a few miles of easy walking paths, all surrounded by the kind of landscape that makes you slow down without even trying.
Bonus: if you’re paddling on Cache Creek, you’ll actually glide right along the edge of the park. It’s one of those places that doesn’t try to impress you – and somehow ends up doing exactly that.
5. Discover Kelseyville
Kelseyville feels like the kind of town you stumble into and immediately want to stay a little longer. It’s small, quiet, and friendly in a way that doesn’t feel like it’s trying to be charming. It just is.
There’s one main street, and it’s lined with a handful of local spots worth checking out. I stopped by Studebaker’s Coffee House in the morning, which hits the spot if you like good coffee and even better people-watching. For dinner, the Saw Shop Public House serves up solid farm-to-table food with a casual vibe. Bonus points for the mason jar cocktails.
Kelseyville is also home to Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill, where you can sample both wine and olive oil in the same visit. I liked how relaxed the tasting felt. No pressure, no long speeches, just good wine and good views.
If you’re staying overnight, Suite on Main makes a great base. The place is clean, roomy, and right in the middle of everything without being noisy. I stayed there with family and didn’t want to leave. Or, if that’s booked, you’ll still find plenty of vacation rentals, ranging from quiet cottages to full-on luxury home rentals with space for the whole crew.
6. Visit Clear Lake State Park
Just a short drive from Kelseyville, Clear Lake State Park is one of the best spots to unwind without going too far off the map. It’s got a little bit of everything: hiking trails, shaded picnic areas, wildlife, and even a small beach where you can dip your feet in the water and pretend emails don’t exist.
The trails here are short and mellow, which makes them great if you just want to stretch your legs between meals or wine tastings. In the late afternoon, the light filters through the trees in that perfect way that makes you stop and look up. I caught a sunset here that turned the lake orange and lit up the creeks like they were glowing from inside.
It’s also a good place to spot deer if you’re quiet, or just take a break under the trees and watch the water do its thing. Nothing fancy. Just simple, peaceful nature that doesn’t need to try hard.
7. Relax in Lakeport
Lakeport is one of the bigger towns around Clear Lake, but it still keeps that slow, easy pace. It sits right on the western shore, which makes it perfect for sunsets and long strolls along the water.
Library Park is the heart of it. You can sit on the grass and look out over the lake, with Mt. Konocti in the distance doing its best dramatic backdrop impression. It’s a solid spot for a picnic, fishing, or just stretching out and doing absolutely nothing. Sometimes that’s the move.
Just up the street, Park Place Restaurant is a nice stop if you’re hungry. And if you’re into local history, the old courthouse has been turned into a museum with exhibits on the region’s past. Small, but surprisingly interesting.
You can even catch a movie at the Lakeport Auto Movies drive-in if you’re sticking around for the evening. It’s one of those things that feels a little lost in time, in the best way.
8. Take a Dip in the Blue Lakes
If Clear Lake feels big and open, the Blue Lakes are its quieter, cooler cousins. Tucked into the hills between Upper Lake and Ukiah, they’re smaller, spring-fed, and seriously pretty. The water is clear, calm, and usually colder than you expect, which makes it perfect on a hot day.
I didn’t get out on the water when I went – too windy that afternoon – but just driving past was worth it. The setting is peaceful in a way that makes you want to stop talking. If you do feel like jumping in, the Lodge at Blue Lakes rents out kayaks, paddleboards, and even little electric boats you can steer yourself.
It’s a good place to float, nap, swim, repeat. No agenda needed.
9. Browse the Lunchbox Museum in Nice
This one’s weird in the best way. Tucked inside a former firehouse in the town of Nice, the Lunchbox Museum is part vintage toy shop, part nostalgia overload. There are hundreds of lunchboxes lining the walls, plus old-school carnival memorabilia and all sorts of quirky finds.
The owner, Deb, has been collecting since the 80s and is more than happy to show you around. It’s the kind of stop that makes you smile even if you didn’t plan on it.
10. Step Back in Time in Upper Lake
Upper Lake is tiny, but it’s got character. The kind of place where buildings have been standing for over a century and no one’s in a rush to change that.
The Tallman Hotel is the centerpiece. It’s been around since the early 1900s and still feels like something out of a different era, in a good way. Right next door is the Blue Wing Saloon, where you can catch live music on the patio while digging into a solid dinner and a glass of something local.
The downtown area is small but worth a walk. A few shops, a few friendly locals, and that slow, small-town feel that’s getting harder to find.
11. Visit Peace & Plenty Farm
If you’re into quiet spots, fresh air, and flowers everywhere, Peace & Plenty Farm is a great little detour. It’s just outside Kelseyville and happens to be the largest saffron farm in North America – not something you’d expect to find out here, but that’s kind of the theme with Lake County.
There’s an honor-system farm stand where you can pick up saffron, seasonal produce, and fresh flowers. You can also stroll through the garden if the gate’s open. It’s low-key and peaceful in a way that makes you want to linger a bit longer than planned.
12. Unwind at Harbin Hot Springs
Tucked away in the hills outside Middletown, Harbin Hot Springs is a quiet, clothing-optional spot that’s all about unplugging. No cell service, no Wi-Fi, just hot pools, big skies, and silence.
The place has a mix of warm and hot spring-fed pools, a sauna, cold plunges, and plenty of places to stretch out and do nothing. You can stay overnight in a tent, a dome, or a hillside cottage, or just come for the day if you’re not up for sleeping under the stars.
It’s peaceful, it’s quiet, and it’ll reset your brain in the best possible way.
13. Visit the Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center
This one’s more brains than beauty, but still pretty fascinating. The Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center in Middletown gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how the region’s massive geothermal field – called The Geysers – turns underground heat into clean energy.
The exhibits are easy to follow, and you’ll learn how steam from deep below the earth powers homes across the West Coast. It’s not flashy, but it’s cool in that “I had no idea this was here” kind of way. You can even book a tour if you want to see more of the operation up close.
Worth a stop if you’re curious and want a break from wine and hiking.
14. Taste Local Wines
Lake County might not have Napa’s name recognition, but the wine here holds its own. The views are just as good, the crowds are smaller, and the tasting fees don’t make you flinch. Most places will even waive the fee if you buy a bottle, which you’ll probably want to do anyway.
I stopped by a handful of wineries, and each had its own thing going on. Chacewater mixes wine and olive oil tastings, which sounds odd until you try it. Laujor Estate has a back porch with views for days and a super laid-back vibe. Six Sigma Ranch is huge and a bit more off the grid, but they’ll take you around in an old military vehicle and let you sip wines straight from the land you’re driving through.
If you’re after something a little flashier, Wild Diamond Vineyards has a hilltop tasting area that feels part resort, part wine lounge. And Olof Cellars is a smaller spot where you get to chat with the winemaker directly.
Whether you’re into big reds or crisp whites, you’ll find something you like – and probably a few things you didn’t expect.
15. Escape to Mendocino National Forest
If you’re up for a real getaway, Mendocino National Forest is one of the best things to do near Clear Lake. It’s massive – nearly a million acres – and completely wild. No paved roads, no crowds, just dirt trails, rugged hills, and total quiet.
This is the spot if you want to camp, hike, or just disappear for a bit. There are tent sites, remote cabins, and plenty of space for off-roading if that’s your thing. The trails aren’t polished or overly marked, so bring a map and a little curiosity. You won’t get cell service out there, but that’s kind of the point.
It’s rough around the edges, but if you’re craving space and silence, it delivers.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Clear Lake
Clear Lake isn’t flashy, and that’s exactly why it’s great. From kayaking quiet creeks to sipping wine in the hills, there’s no shortage of things to do in Clear Lake. You’ve got hikes, hidden hot springs, local farms, and small towns that actually feel like small towns.
It’s the kind of place where you don’t need a packed schedule. Just show up, slow down, and let the lake set the pace.