Clearlake Oaks, CA sits on the edge of Clear Lake, giving this small community wide-open water views and a quiet, rural feel about an hour and a half from Santa Rosa. With around 2,500 residents, many homes line the shoreline or canals with private docks, making it easy to head out for boating, fishing, swimming, or simply catching a breeze off the water. Housing ranges from midcentury ranch-style and Traditional homes to compact bungalows and manufactured homes, most built between the 1960s and 1990s, with the Clearlake Keys area standing out for its manmade waterways and private boat launches. Residents enjoy easy access to outdoor attractions, including a public boat launch, a lakeside campground, and Clark’s Island community park, which you can reach by pedestrian bridge or boat. The annual catfish derby draws visitors from beyond the region, and nearby Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, Clear Lake State Park, and Mount Konocti provide miles of trails, lakefront beaches, and higher-elevation hikes. Daily needs are covered by a handful of local spots like Oak’s Red & White Store, Dollar General, Marcel’s French Bakery & Café, Country Kitchen Café, and Firehouse Pizza, while larger grocery stores and more dining options sit about 8 miles south in Clearlake. Residents should be aware of increased flood risk near the lake and streams, as well as regional wildfire activity, with local officials promoting defensible space and improved evacuation routes.
