Lakeport can offer relative affordability by a California landmark
A home in Lakeport guarantees a spot no more than about 10 miles from the gleaming waters of Clear Lake. This community of about 5,000 borders the largest natural freshwater lake in the entire state of California. Clear Lake is a natural anchor for Lakeport, an area that attracts buyers eyeing vacation homes and retirees. Yet housing prices here aren’t exorbitant relative to the region. “The biggest draw would be affordability,” says Tiffany Peng, a local Realtor with RE/MAX Gold who has over 20 years of experience. “Also, access to the Bay Area, the lake, the growth of the area, and a small-town feel within California.”
Clear Lake is the heart of an area with multiple kinds of recreation
Tens of thousands of people dip their toes into outdoor activities in and around Clear Lake every year. People go boating and jet skiing in the water, and Peng says a lot of locals fish the lake — it’s a hot spot for bass. Multiple parks line the shoreline of the almost 43,800-acre lake, including Lakeport's Library Park. Library Park has docks for fishing, a boat launch and a playground. The 590-acre Clear Lake State Park, 8 miles away in Kelseyville, features four campgrounds, a beach open to swimming and hiking trails.
Also, with a location among the mountains of the California Coast Ranges, the wider region includes many more options for land recreation. “It’s quiet, and it’s beautiful here,” Peng says. “We have not just the lake, but we have lots of mountains. We have lots of hiking. We have forests, we have waterfalls.” The 177-acre Linda Falls Preserve, 60 miles away, is one of the places famous for its waterfall, visible via a 1-mile trail. Mount Konocti, an extinct volcano, has several more miles of trails and is about 15 miles from Lakeport.
Established houses present a variety of layouts, locations and prices
Most of Lakeport’s homes were built from the 1920s to the 1980s. The timeline leaves room for quite a mix of options, from bungalows less than 1,000 square feet to multistory Craftsman- and contemporary-style homes well over 2,000 square feet. Many lots range from about one-tenth to three-tenths of an acre, and some properties sit along the lake. Single-family homes in Lakeport under 2,000 square feet tend to sell for $190,000 to $440,000, while houses over the 2,000 square-foot mark often go for anywhere from $440,000 to $800,000. Manufactured houses sell for $16,000 to $500,000 based on square footage and condition, condos go for $150,000 to $260,000, and townhomes fetch $260,000 to $310,000. The median in Lakeport is about $400,000. “People are finding it an affordable investment area coming from the Bay Area,” Peng says. “A lot of vacation homes here, a lot of second homes here. People are taking these little properties and beautifying them.”
Fourth of July is a spirited time on the lake
The Fourth of July is a multi-day affair in the Clear Lake area. “The Fourth of July is amazing here,” Peng says. Multiple communities launch fireworks by the water, including Lakeport, Clearlake Oaks, and the city of Clearlake. The fireworks in Lakeport are by Library Park. Some watch the show from boats on the lake, and others line the shoreline. Lakeport has a Fourth of July boat parade, too. Library Park also hosts a series of free Friday-night concerts fom June to August, which Peng says are typically packed with people.
Downtown features an assortment of restaurants and shops
Lakeport’s downtown, along Main Street, offers a selection of locally owned restaurants and other businesses. Renee's Café is a Main Street staple for milkshakes, open since 1986. Lakshmi Cuisine of India is a new option, open since May 2025 and known in part for its butter chicken. Park Place Restaurant, just off Main Street, has a patio with water views. “That’s a favorite on the lake,” Peng says.
Main Street clothing store Campos Casuals carries a mix of men’s and women’s clothing. Watershed Books across the street has a collection of new and used books. Flowers by Jackie Lakeport “has gorgeous flowers and plants, and their space is really nice,” Peng says. The flower store, which dates to 1977, is part of the High Street Village plaza just north of downtown. Lakeport also has a Safeway for groceries, in the 11th Street Plaza.
Lakeport students have access to free after-school care
The Lakeport Unified School District has a B-minus grade on Niche. The system’s B-minus-rated Lakeport Elementary includes kindergarten through fourth grade, while the C-rated Terrace Middle has grades 5 through 8. Students at both schools can participate in the district’s free after-school program, where the curriculum ranges from foreign language instruction to social and emotional learning activities. Clear Lake High maintains an A-minus grade, and its Career Technical Education department offers instruction in 15 topics, from agriculture and natural resources to transportation.
Santa Rosa is a gateway to the rest of the county
Santa Rosa is 65 miles south of Lakeport, using California State Route 175 and U.S. Route 101. Santa Rosa’s Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport has flights to cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Dallas using a combination of Alaska, American and Avelo airlines. There are multiple stops in the Lake Transit bus system within Lakeport, including one by the community’s 25-bed Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
