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Nice

Nice

Located in Lake County

$229,385 Average Value
$215 Average Price per Sq Ft
18 Homes For Sale

Nice, named after Nice in France, is on Clear Lake's north shore

Nice, pronounced “Neese,” is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County with a population of about 2,500, according to U.S. Census estimates. Named after Nice, a city on the French Riviera, this northern California community is on the north side of Clear Lake, the state’s largest freshwater lake. State Route 20 runs along the shoreline. “Lakefront properties are all along Highway 20. There are otherworldly views up there,” says Bridget King, a Realtor with Luxe Places International Realty. It’s about 10 miles to Lakeport and 22 miles to Clearlake, small cities on the west and east sides of the lake, respectively. The region, home of the Pomo peoples, became popular in the early 1900s as a vacation destination and is now well-known for wine production.

Nice has amazing walking paths along Clearlake.
Nice has amazing walking paths along Clearlake.
It's common to see couples enjoy amazing views of Clearlake in Nice.
It's common to see couples enjoy amazing views of Clearlake in Nice.
It's common to see residents of Nice fishing in their own boats.
It's common to see residents of Nice fishing in their own boats.
Nice has various different locations to rent boats on Clearlake.
Nice has various different locations to rent boats on Clearlake.
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Most homes are under $500,000, but some on the lake cost more

Older single-family homes, including 20th-century bungalows and ranch-style homes, are about $120,000 to $440,000. Newer, and often larger, custom lakefront homes are $750,000 to $940,000. Mobile and manufactured homes typically range from about $20,000 to $200,000. The risk of wildfires may affect the availability of traditional home insurance policies.

It's common to see homes with their own private docks on Clearlake.
It's common to see homes with their own private docks on Clearlake.
Large homes with lake views are common in Nice.
Large homes with lake views are common in Nice.
Ranch style homes are abundant in Nice.
Ranch style homes are abundant in Nice.
Ranch style homes are abundant in Nice.
Ranch style homes are abundant in Nice.
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Parks and beaches on the shore, Mendocino National Forest close by

Recreational spots along the shore include Holiday Harbor Beach and Keeling Park, which has a playground, a boat launch and a dock. Popular activities on the lake include fishing, boating and water sports. Though the lake provides drinking water to more than half of the county, issues have included pollution, toxicity from algae overgrowth and odors. Projects have been implemented to keep the lake clean, restore wetlands and control algae.
Natural resources surrounding the area include Mendocino National Forest, which is almost a million acres. People visit the forest for hiking, hunting and fishing. Wildfires, an ongoing threat in the region, have impacted some parts of the forest.

Nice has an amazing Skatepark for youth to enjoy.
Nice has an amazing Skatepark for youth to enjoy.
Keele Park in Nice offers picnic tables right by the lake.
Keele Park in Nice offers picnic tables right by the lake.
Nice is known for many different places to go fishing.
Nice is known for many different places to go fishing.
Keele Park is the perfect place to bring youth to play on the playground in Nice.
Keele Park is the perfect place to bring youth to play on the playground in Nice.
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Nice’s stores and restaurants, or more in nearby Lakeport

For groceries and essentials, Nice has Mar-Vals Sentry Market and a Dollar General. The Boathouse Bar & Stowaway Grill has a dock and outdoor seating. It hosts pool tournaments and a concert series from spring to fall. Other restaurants include Romi’s Brew & BBQ and Mad House Junction, which serves classic American food in a former post office building. Clarke’s Collectables and Lunchbox Museum offers tours a couple of days a week and has a gift shop with rare collectibles and retro-themed items. “We relocated here almost 20 years ago and have never been so happy with beautiful views and some of the cleanest air in California,” says Deb Clarke, the owner and curator of Clarke’s.
For more variety, Lakeport has a Safeway, drugstores and restaurants. The Sutter Lakeside Hospital is about a 5-mile drive from Nice.

Nice offers dining and shopping experiences all week long.
Nice offers dining and shopping experiences all week long.
Nice Market offers fresh produce in Nice.
Nice Market offers fresh produce in Nice.
Mad House Junction is a tasty option for breakfast in Nice.
Mad House Junction is a tasty option for breakfast in Nice.
Boathouse Bar offers dining right on Clearlake in Nice.
Boathouse Bar offers dining right on Clearlake in Nice.
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Things to do at the Nice Event Center or in Lakeport

The Nice Event Center has hosted Hallowfest in October, a spring plant sale in May and the Northshore Community Market on Sundays, seasonally. The center is home to the Vision of Hope Village, a nonprofit dedicated to young adults with autism and other neurodiversity.
Residents of Nice might head to Lakeport for other activities and events. The Lakeport Library hosts the Tuesday Market, a certified farmers market. The Lake County Fair takes place in August at the Lake County Fairgrounds, which also has a speedway.

Students may be bused to public schools in Upper Lake

Students may attend public schools like Upper Lake Elementary School and Upper Lake Middle School, which earn C-plus grades from Niche. Upper Lake High School has a B-minus and offers dual enrollment through Mendocino College. There are school bus stops in Nice, as the schools are about 5 miles away.

Upper Lake Middle School serves students in Nice and Lake County.
Upper Lake Middle School serves students in Nice and Lake County.
Upper Lake High School is adjacent to Upper Lake Middle School.
Upper Lake High School is adjacent to Upper Lake Middle School.
West Lake SDA School provides students with quality education.
West Lake SDA School provides students with quality education.
Upper Lake High School offers safe education in Nice.
Upper Lake High School offers safe education in Nice.
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Long distances require driving, a bus links Nice to its neighbors

Nice has some hilly areas and curving residential streets without sidewalks. Lake County Transit’s North Shore bus route goes from Clearlake to Lakeport. However, people typically drive to travel long distances. Santa Rosa is about 72 miles away, it’s about 110 miles to Sacramento and 130 to San Francisco. The Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa offers domestic passenger service on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Avelo Airlines.

Economic challenges due to limited businesses and jobs

Nice has experienced some economic challenges in recent years as some businesses have closed. Ceàgo, a 160-acre estate that had been previously approved for extensive resort and residential development, went on the market in 2023 for $21 million. As of the summer of 2025, the Ceàgo Vinegarden remained closed to the public. With little in the way of commercial businesses, few jobs are available in Nice, so residents may commute to other towns and cities.

Robin Silberman
Written By
Robin Silberman
Teal Mandzik
Photography Contributed By
Teal Mandzik
Matt Pangman
Video By
Matt Pangman

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Veronica Baylor, an experienced agent in this area.

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Nice Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$277,000
Median Sale Price
$195,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$245,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
8%
Last 12 months Home Sales
33
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-26%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$215

Area Facts

Number of Homes
599
Number of Homes for Sale
18
Median Year Built
1977
Months of Supply
6.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,257
Significantly below the national average
1,926
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
870
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Homes for Sale

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Weather

Annual Precipitation
39''
Average Winter Low Temperature
33°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

7 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

17 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Nice
Veronica Baylor
Pivniska Real Estate Group
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