Lake County Lush-ious

Wine Tasting in Clear Lake and Lake County in California

Wildflowers aren’t the only things dotting the emerald-green rolling hills of Clear Lake. Wineries have been popping up all over the mountain ridgelines and sun-soaked valleys of the Clear Lake Appellation—home to 8,718 acres of planted vineyards and dozens of tasting rooms offering world-class wines at a fraction of the price of some neighboring areas (with none of the tour busses or bachelorette parties!). This is a hidden gem for wine lovers, and probably won’t stay a secret for long. Start your tour-de-vino in the little town of Kelseyville, tucked sleepily within the rolling hills south of Clear Lake. Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill has a huge selection of organic wines, from sauvignon blanc to a 15-year-old tawny port. When you’re ready to venture into the countryside, make a short drive out of town to visit Laujor Estate Winery and neighboring Boatique Winery.

Laujor offers outstanding Lake County wines complemented by jaw-dropping views of Mount Konocti and the surrounding valley from the back patio. Be sure to try their sauvignon blanc–musqué blend. Just next door is Boatique Winery. Taste through a selection of big reds rivaling the cabs of Napa, take a tour of the owners’ huge collection of rare and antique luxury boats from the fifties and sixties, and grab a handful of tulips (they’re grown for guests) from the garden before you leave.

BEER HERE: Kelsey Creek Brewing Company on Main Street in Kelseyville is not to be missed by those who fancy fantastic microbrews. Master brewer and owner Ron Chips serves everything from Irish reds to IPAs to bourbon-barrel stouts, bittered with local hops and brewed out back, all in a dog-friendly, laid-back saloon setting complete with peanut shells on the floor.

kelseycreekbrewing-image-jpeg

STAY: For cozy lodgings with some adorable rustic charm, stay at the guesthouse at Finch Gardens.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View