How to Plan a Family Trip to Clear Lake Without Losing Your Mind

June 2025 By Nick Reisender

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

I’ve hosted more family groups than I can count — cousins, grandparents, toddlers, dogs. People show up with the dream: lazy mornings by the lake, kids playing together like it’s the ’90s, wine at sunset, no stress. The dream is real… but so is the part where someone forgets the sunscreen, the fridge is packed like Tetris, and someone ends up sleeping on a yoga mat.

That said, Clear Lake is hands-down one of the best spots for a multi-family trip. There’s enough space to spread out, plenty of water to jump into, and if you pick the right house, you won’t feel like you’re stuck in a giant group text the whole time. Here’s what I’ve learned after watching dozens of families figure it out — some more gracefully than others.

1. Book the Right House, Not Just Any House

When you’re sharing a vacation home with two or three families, space isn’t a luxury — it’s oxygen. I’ve seen guests arrive at places that “looked big enough online,” only to realize the kitchen fits four people max and the living room has seating for six. Cue the chaos.

Look for a home with:

At least five bedrooms
Three or more bathrooms
A large open kitchen
Multiple outdoor areas — one for noisy games, one for quiet coffee

Lakefront access is a game-changer. Being able to step outside and drop a kayak into the water or watch the kids splash around while you sip a drink on the deck? That’s the kind of memory you came here for. Bonus points if the place comes with a hot tub, private dock, and a second fridge. Trust me on the fridge.

Our place — Smiling Otter Retreat — was built with exactly this kind of group in mind. We’ve got space to spread out, big indoor tables for shared meals, and a layout that lets kids crash early while adults stay up and catch up. Whether it’s our house or someone else’s, find a setup that lets people be together and breathe.

2. Timing Is Half the Battle

Summer is prime time, no doubt. The water’s warm, the days are long, and you’ll want to stay outside from morning till evening. But it’s also when Clear Lake gets the busiest — especially on holiday weekends. If you’ve got flexibility, late May, early June, or mid-September can be the sweet spot. The weather’s still beautiful, the lake is calm, and you won’t be competing for boat rentals or dinner reservations.

If you’re thinking about a summer stay, book early. Really early. I tell returning guests to lock in at least three to four months ahead, especially if they want specific dates or need extra time to coordinate with other families. You can always adjust later — but try finding a six-bedroom house a month before the Fourth of July. Not fun.

3. Who’s Bringing What?

The group text starts innocently enough. “Do we need to bring towels?” spirals into 47 unread messages about who’s packing what. Save yourself the mental load and assign categories: one family handles groceries, another handles kitchen stuff, someone else packs entertainment for the kids.

Some items you’d think would be provided — but double-check:

Life jackets for smaller kids (many rentals only have adult sizes)
Extra beach towels (you’ll go through more than you think)
First aid kit (yes, you’ll need it)
Fans or sound machines if you’ve got light sleepers

Most of the groups I host are surprised how much smoother the trip goes when each household shows up with a “mission.” And no one ever regrets bringing extra paper towels.

4. Feeding 12 People Without Losing It

There’s a rhythm to meals in a shared house. It’s not about being gourmet — it’s about avoiding a mutiny when everyone’s hungry at once.

My best advice? Assign dinner nights. One family owns the kitchen each night, start to finish. They cook, others relax. It avoids the dreaded “too many cooks” situation, and you only have to be in charge once. Breakfasts can be more casual — fruit, eggs, maybe pancakes if someone’s feeling ambitious. Let lunch sort itself out.

Groceries: If you’re coming from Sacramento or the Bay Area, do a big shop before you arrive. There’s a Safeway in Clearlake and a few local spots around the lake, but they might not have your exact brand of oat milk or twelve avocados on a Tuesday. If you’re heading to Kelseyville, Bruno’s Shop Smart has a surprisingly good wine selection too.

And for dinners out? I always recommend Saw Shop Public House for a slightly elevated meal (parents love the cocktails), and Richmond Park Bar & Grill when the kids are craving burgers and you want to eat lakeside in flip flops.

5. Keep the Peace With Space and Flexibility

I’ve seen it over and over — the most successful trips are the ones where not everything is scheduled. You don’t need a color-coded itinerary. One group activity per day is plenty. The rest of the time? Let people do their own thing.

Build in downtime. Let the teenagers sleep in. Let the little kids crash after lunch. Let the adults take turns disappearing with a book or sneaking in a nap. The lake has a natural rhythm to it — early mornings are peaceful, midday is swim-and-play chaos, and evenings tend to slow down again.

Some families naturally fall into shifts. The early risers take the kids out paddleboarding. The night owls clean up dinner and pour one more glass of wine. Don’t fight it. You’re not on a cruise ship. You’re in a house built to let everyone breathe.

6. What to Do Around the Lake That Everyone Can Enjoy

The good news: Clear Lake isn’t one of those places where you have to do a ton to feel like you’re on vacation. But when people start to get restless, here are a few go-to crowd-pleasers:

On the water: Rent a pontoon boat (they’re slow, safe, and roomy), grab a couple of kayaks or paddleboards, or just set the kids loose with floaties and goggles. If your rental has lakefront access, you’re golden. If not, Clear Lake State Park has a great swim area.
Low-effort nature: The Konocti trails are easy to moderate and offer amazing views without needing hiking boots or a backpack full of snacks.
Local flavor: There are some fantastic wineries nearby — Boatique, Gregory Graham, Laujor — and they’re usually not packed like Napa. Take turns watching the kids and let the adults have an afternoon out.
Rainy day backups: Old-school board games, movies pre-downloaded on iPads, or even a quick trip to Lakeport’s drive-in movie theater (yes, it still exists).

And honestly? Most families tell me their favorite moments weren’t on the schedule. It’s the kids piling onto the hammock together. The shared breakfast on the deck. That spontaneous late-night swim. Let those happen.

7. The Bedroom Debate and Other Avoidable Disasters

This one sneaks up on people. Everyone’s excited, everyone’s polite… until it’s time to pick rooms. Then suddenly, it’s like a reality show.

Here’s how to avoid the drama: assign bedrooms ahead of time. Make a map if you have to. Let the couple with the baby have the quietest room. Put the snorers at opposite ends. Give the bunk room to the kids and let them turn it into their own sleepover zone. Just don’t leave it to “figure out when we get there.” That never ends well.

Sound machines or fans are a lifesaver in a full house. I always suggest guests bring one — even if you think you won’t need it. Between kids waking up early, doors closing at night, and the occasional blender whirring at 7am (yes, really), a bit of white noise goes a long way.

And most important: allow for one meltdown per person. No judgment. You’re with family, not monks.

8. From Your Guestbook: Pro Tips That Actually Work

These are the gems people leave behind — the tips that show up again and again in guest notes and thank-you emails:

Grocery shop before you drive up. The local stores are fine, but not built for twelve people with complicated diets.
Pre-load Google Maps (cell service can get patchy depending on your carrier).
Download shows for the kids just in case Wi-Fi gets slow at night.
Bring a cooler for boating days or long afternoons at the beach.
Pack slippers or house shoes — wood floors, wet feet, and bare toes don’t mix.
Don’t overpack activities. The best ones are the ones that happen naturally.
Take the group photo early. Don’t wait for the last morning when everyone’s tired and packing.

You’ll Forget the Stress, Not the Sunset

Look — something will go sideways. Someone will forget the toothpaste. The group will run out of eggs. A kid will cry for no reason and a grown-up might too. That’s just part of the deal.

But you’ll also wake up to glassy water and quiet mornings. You’ll eat dinner under the stars while someone plays music and the kids chase frogs with flashlights. And a few months later, when you’re back to busy schedules and endless errands, you’ll find yourself scrolling through photos of that trip — and probably thinking about doing it again next year.

From what I’ve seen as a host, the families who come back are the ones who planned just enough to keep things smooth… but left enough room for the good stuff to happen on its own.

If you’re looking for a place that makes this kind of trip possible, our Retreat was built for exactly that. Big enough for the chaos, cozy enough for the calm.

We’d love to have you — stress, snacks, and all.