Now that Clearlake is fully operational and available for year-round use, our Cabin Master, Dave Conroy, has been doing the difficult work of researching — and personally exploring — various activities around the lake. Here’s his dispatch from a recent foray.
- THE PLAN: circumnavigate the lake, visit various eating and drinking establishments, have fun, and get safely back to the cabin before dark.
- THE RULES: no more than one beverage at any stop, and a designated driver who will keep things on track!
11 AM: We loaded into the car and headed out from the Cabin. Turning right at the top of Bass Road, we headed past the State Park (also worth a visit on another day). First stop: The Clearlake Club, Lakeport’s oldest bar, complete with pool tables, juke boxes, and very friendly locals — also, great Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and a nice selection of beers on tap at super reasonable prices. But it’s cash only, so bring some dollars. We also caught the first few rounds of the day’s NASCAR event.
Next up, the Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake for a bit of lunch. The Blue Wing first opened in the 1880s when Upper Lake, California, was a stagecoach stop. It’s a tiny town, imbued with an Old West vibe. The food at the Blue Wing was great, and the ambiance was superb.
With an excellent meal under our belts, we set off for our next destination: The Boathouse Bar and Stowaway Grill. This lakefront spot has moorings for up to a hundred boats in the Summer. However, it was still fun on a cloudy February day. Friendly folks, free popcorn, and lovely lake views. We caught up with NASCAR here, too! Consistency is key!
Our next stop was a bit further around the lake—we headed for the Barn in Clearlake Oaks, a friendly spot — and more NASCAR! But it was the drive between the Boathouse and the Barn that was notable. The views of the lake were amazing, and we saw a flock of maybe a hundred White Pelicans herding and fishing in the shallows. After a quick beverage at the barn by the wood fire, we set off for our final stop: Stein and Wein in Clearlake.
Stein and Wein is a fairly new establishment. It serves a great selection of beers, local wines, and lovely German-style pub fare. The outdoor dining patio looks amazing in the summer! After a beer, a few pretzels, and snacks, we piled into the car and headed back to the cabin just in time to see the sunset over Mt. Konocti.
All in all, a great day!