Kelseyville Riviera, formerly Clearlake Riviera, by lake's south side
Kelseyville Riviera has some rural charm, with winding roads and plenty of trees. Hillside home sites overlook the south shore of Clear Lake, California's largest freshwater lake. There are views of Mount Konocti to the northwest. Kelseyville Riviera's population is about 4,300, according to U.S. Census estimates. Kelseyville, roughly 10 miles west, has about the same number of inhabitants. The area is part of Lake County and northern California's wine country, which is prized for its vineyards.
In 2021, the community took the name Kelseyville Rivera in place of Clearlake Riviera. "It is more fitting because you're near Kelseyville, and Clear Lake is on the other side of the lake. It was just confusing people; they were thinking it was closer to that town, not the lake. So, they changed the name," says Bridget King, a Realtor with Luxe Places International Realty. Clearlake has about 16,000 residents and is about 12 miles away.
The Kelseyville Riviera Community Association and fire safety
Kelseyville Riviera Community Association (KRCA) is a non-profit homeowners organization run by members and a volunteer board of directors. The KRCA has committees for social activities, strategic planning and fire safety. Due to the threat of wildfires, the KRCA invested in solar-powered sirens to supplement other emergency notification systems. Residents are instructed to keep lots clean of dead vegetation, obstructions and flammable materials. Metal fencing must be used rather than wood. Alternatives to traditional insurance include the California FAIR Plan, a program for high-risk properties.
Homes from the 1960s to 2020s, typically under $600,000
Older homes are from the 1960s and '70s, and the newest date to the 2020s. Options include ranch-style homes and contemporaries. Many homes have custom features, like expansive windows and balconies or upper-level decks for lake and mountain views. Multicar garages are common. Prices range from about $200,000 to $580,000. Manufactured homes within the KRCA have sold for up to $360,000. Additionally, mobile homes outside the community association's bounds are typically less than $50,000.
The CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
The Riviera Marina, a country club and Clear Lake State Park
Recreation on Clear Lake includes fishing, boating and kayaking, though there isn't a designated public access point for Kelseyville Riviera. The Riviera Marina has slips and a boat launch. Contaminants and algae overgrowth have impacted the water quality at times. "I would say the Kelseyville Riviera side is better compared to Clearlake. The Clearlake side tends to get more algae," King says. Projects have been implemented to clean the lake, restore wetlands and control algae.
In the center of the community is Riviera Hills Country Club, which is open to the public and includes a golf course, tennis courts, pools and a restaurant and lounge. Another place to hang out is the KRCA's picnic and barbecue area, which has built-in chess sets, cornhole and vertical checkers. Hiking is a popular pastime at Clear Lake State Park, which is about 9 miles away.
Spots to eat and shop close to home, more in Kelseyville and Clearlake
The country club's Riviera Hills Restaurant serves dinner Thursdays through Sundays, and in the summer offers Sunday champagne brunches and afternoon barbecues on the deck.
Along SR-281, otherwise known as Soda Bay Road, there's Riviera Foods, which has produce, sandwiches and an ice cream counter. Pogo's Pizza, Riviera Common Grounds Coffee House, a gym and other businesses are in the same shopping center. Nearby is Danae's Desserts for baked goods, including custom cakes.
For more, people might travel to Kelseyville, which has a walkable historical downtown with locally owned shops along Main Street. King says small businesses are the focus here. Clearlake has a Safeway and a Grocery Outlet. There's a variety of stores and restaurants along Lakeshore Drive.
An elementary school close to home, next levels in Kelseyville
The Kelseyville Unified School District serves the area. Students may attend Riviera Elementary, which earns a C grade from Niche. The elementary school is within a mile of most homes, whereas schools at the following levels are miles away, in Kelseyville. Mountain Vista Middle School receives a C-minus and has a C-STEM Robotics team. Kelseyville High School is graded B-minus and has an agriculture mechanics program and dual enrollment classes in collaboration with Mendocino College.
Things to do in Kelseyville Riviera, Kelseyville and Clearlake
The Kelseyville Riviera community gathers for activities like potlucks, games, crafts, exercise and a Christmas Children's Festival. People might also go to Kelseyville for events such as the Kickin' in the Country summer music series on Main Street. In June, there's the Lake County Beer, Wine & Swine Baconfest; July has the Wesfest Music Festival, and in September it's time for the Kelseyville Pear Festival. Among the events held in Clearlake, there's been a circus in September, a soapbox derby in October and a summertime concert series.
State Routes 281 and 29, bus services and medical facilities
Many of the roads in Kelseyville Riviera are steep, curved or lack sidewalks, so the community is fairly car dependent. State Route 281 runs through Kelseyville Riviera and meets state Route 29 to the south. The portion of SR-29 through Kelseyville is also known as Highway 175.
Lake County Transit has several bus routes that stop at Kit's Corner Store, about 2 miles south of Kelseyville Riviera. Aero Shuttle also stops at Kit's on its Lake County-Sacramento route. There are some medical services offices in Kelseyville. Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital is about 12 miles away, and Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport is about 20 miles away.
Santa Rosa, about 57 miles away, is the location of the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport. The airport has domestic passenger service on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Avelo Airlines. It's about double the distance from Kelseyville Riviera to San Francisco or Sacramento.
Written By
Robin Silberman
