Info regarding Clear Lake, CA

[FLCERIK]

I am considering a trip to Clear Lake, Ca and do not know much about the lake. Has anyone been there before? Can anyone give me info on where to stay, places to ski/board, and general info on the lake.

[bkhallpass]

FLCerik,

I didn't want to respond, because it's been several years since I've
been to Clearlake. However, saw you got no response, so I thought
I'd give you something. Maybe my bump will get a response from
those who went to boardstock, which was held at clear lake.

My first thought is don't do it. Too many other good lake in CA.
Clear lake is not too clear these days, in fact it's one of the dirtier
lakes I've been to. It also gets very windy. Don't really
know where to stay because I haven't been there in years, but
Konactai (sp?) Harbor in has been there forever. Also, of Course,
Clear Lake is in the middle of CA wine country, which many people
like to visit.

I'd much rather go to Shasta, Alminor, or any of the Sanora Resevores
(New Melones, McClure, Hogan, Tulloch, etc.). I've heard great things
about Bullard's Bar, which is not that for for you, but I've never been.
Nacimiento is also supposed to be great.

BKH

[w00t]

Re: Info regarding Clear Lake, CA

I am considering a trip to Clear Lake, Ca and do not know much about the lake. Has anyone been there before? Can anyone give me info on where to stay, places to ski/board, and general info on the lake.

I would have to agree with the previous post; there are much better choices besides Clearlake in NorCal. Despite the fact that Boardstock was just held there a few weekends ago, it's not really a nice lake.

Earlier in the summer we camped there for Memorial Day. Needless to say we had some drinks at Konocti (sp?) Harbor and headed back at around 6pm. The wind on the lake was kicking up really bad and unfortunately for us we were unaware of this section called "The narrows". Too make a very long story short, if you look at the lake map, there is a huge body of water which closes into a VERY narrow passage which funnels the wind and waves causing insane currents and waves. Many of my friends don't believe the story (with excpetion to those present) but it was basically like scenes from the movie The Perfect Storm. There were rollers easily approaching 7-10 feet. I have an '02 SANTE and it took a beating.

Bottom line.. find a nicer place to visit .. New Melones, the delta, Oroville, Berryessa..

[darrel409]

RE: Re: Info regarding Clear Lake, CA

Alminor and Antelope are 2 good no. cal. lakes one big one much more quiet

[97SN]

apologies if this reply gets to you a little late...

I grew up about 40 minutes from Clear Lake and we avoided it like the plague. Not because of the lousy skiing, but because the nearby towns used to dump raw sewage directly into the lake (that was 20 years ago -- I hope they're being monitored today). Overall, the Clear Lake area is very run-down.

In addition to the other replies (New Melones is my personal favorite), here are some other suggestions near Clear Lake:

If you don't mind a small lake, try Lake Mendocino. If you want to go off the beaten path, head towards Potter Valley and follow the signs to Lake Pillsbury. We've had some great ski rides on Pillsbury, but be forewarned the road is a bit trecherous.

[Mikeski]

Make the trip to Shasta, it's worth it.