Clearlake Oaks is a small town at the water's edge
With lake views and mountainous scenery all around, Clearlake Oaks offers a rural retreat in Northern California, about an hour-and-a-half outside Santa Rosa. With around 2,500 residents, its homes are perched along the shoreline with private docks, perfect for catching cool breeze along the lake’s edge. Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of recreation, from boating and fishing on to hiking the many trails that climb the nearby mountains and hills. “I moved here for the waterskiing in 1978 and never left. It’s right on the water, and a lot of homes have their own docks where you can fish, take the boat out or go swimming. It’s a lot of retired folks and second homes,” says Janice Maschek, a broker at Shore Line Realty.
Housing ranges from modest manufactured homes to waterfront homes
Housing options in Clearlake Oaks include everything from midcentury ranch-style homes and Traditional homes to cozy bungalows and manufactured homes. The town was largely built between the 1960s and the 1990s, with few homes more than 60 years old. The Clearlake Keys neighborhood is among the most exclusive. Built on manmade water features, all its homes have private docks and boat launches. About two-thirds of the town’s residents own their homes. Most get views of the surrounding natural scenery, mountains and the lake. Prices range from around $150,000 to $450,000, although some homes that need work have sold for less. “Part of the attraction is that it’s so much more affordable than the Bay Area,” Maschek says.
Clearlake Oaks faces natural hazards from water and fire
Clearlake Oaks homes are at an increased risk for flooding given its proximity to the lake, and because several streams cut through the town. Residents may want to consider flood insurance, especially those who live at lower elevation levels. Wildfires are also known to strike in this part of the region. Most recently, the Boyles Fire burned dozens of structures in the Clear Lake area in 2024 before being contained. Lake County has taken steps to prepare for and prevent fires, including encouraging residents to have at least 10 feet of clear space around homes, improving evacuation routes and mandating annual fire hydrant inspections.
Lakeside parks and trails offer year-round outdoor fun
Clearlake Oaks is surrounded by Northern California outdoor destinations. “The lake has a hundred miles of shoreline and tons of trails all over the place. Bass fishing is a big deal here, and Clearlake Oaks has a catfish derby every year that brings people from all over, even from out of state,” Maschek says. The town has a public boat launch, a lakeside campground and a community park called Clark’s Island, accessible via a pedestrian bridge or by boat. It’s just a few miles from Anderson Marsh State Historic Marsh, which offers over 1,300 acres of marshland with plenty of scenic trails. Locals can head west to Clear Lake State Park, a popular spot for lakefront beaches, waterside hiking trails and places to park canoes and kayaks. For a more challenging hike, locals can climb to the summits of Mount Konocti, the second tallest mountain in the region. The mountain showcases abundant chaparral and tree-covered slopes with excellent views from high elevations.
Local cafés and takeout spots serve up casual eats
Residents can take advantage of a few local shops, restaurants and grocers. Oak’s Red & White Store is the go-to convenience store and deli, while Dollar General offers everyday essentials and other home goods. Marcel’s French Bakery & Café and Marcel’s Drive-Thru offer fresh coffee and pastries. Country Kitchen Café is a downhome Mexican restaurant serving up burritos, tacos and other classics. There’s also Firehouse Pizza for takeout. Residents can head to the town of Clearlake for major grocery chains and a wide range of eateries, about 8 miles south.
East Lake and Lower Lake serve students from K through 12
Students go to East Lake for kindergarten through seventh grade. Located in town, it gets a D-plus rating from Niche. The last five years can be spent at Lower Lake High School, which gets a C-minus. The high school’s 2024 graduation rate was 87%, a dramatic improvement compared to the preceding years that’s put it on par with the statewide average. The school is undergoing a large-scale renovation to modernize its classrooms in 2025, including the construction of a brand-new building on campus.
Clearlake Oaks is rural, with basic transit and health care
For local travel, Clearlake Oaks is served by the Route 1 bus, operated by Lake Transit Authority, which connects residents with the nearby towns of lakeport and Clearlake. Residents will likely need a car to get around if they need to get to major cities in the region. It’s about 58 miles to Santa Rosa, 95 miles to Sacramento and 117 miles to San Francisco. Adventist Health Clear Lake is the nearest major medical center, just 10 miles away. Those who need to catch a flight can make the trek to Sacramento International Airport.
