Escape the city bustle and Napa Valley crowds. Explore Lake County’s award-winning wineries and olive oil producers. Take in our region’s natural beauty, boating, bird watching or bass fishing. Or, just come and breathe some of the cleanest air in the nation.
The Tallman Hotel is the perfect place to relax,
and enjoy a 3-day getaway weekend. Explore Clear Lake’s
beautiful emerging wine country, extraordinary natural landscape and our warm, friendly people.
Why Lake County?
Enjoy a 3-day getaway to Lake County. Bigger than Rhode Island, and geologically diverse, our volcanic remains, thermal geysers and the largest natural fresh-water lake entirely within California, Clear Lake was a center of Native American habitation.
Before Prohibition, Lake County was one of the largest grape growing areas in California, but vines were replaced with walnuts and pears during the ban. Today, Lake County’s vineyards are back with over 150 winegrape growers and nearly 9000 acres planted, four designated AVAs, and over 30 quality wineries.
The county is known for its “Wines with Altitude” because of the perfect volcanic soils found at the region’s elevations between 1400 feet (lake level) to over 3000 feet above sea level.
For naturalists and outdoor lovers, Lake County’s rustic and rugged beauty is what attracts many people to our region. If you love birdwatching, biking and boating, fishing, hiking, kayaking, wine tasting or simply relaxing in a scenic location, Lake County is a nature lover’s paradise.
Visits to our local wineries hearken back to earlier, less commercial times. The hotels and restaurants (including our own) replicate this authenticity and warm hospitality.
We encourage you to plan your trip around one of the many annual local events in the County. The Lake County Chamber of Commerce Calendar is usually up-to-date on the big annual and special events happening in the area.
To start your journey from the Bay Area, take Hwy 101 north through the small town of Hopland, where you can visit the Solar Living Institute, a leading green resources center. Fifteen miles further north is the small town of Ukiah in Mendocino County.
In Ukiah, visit the champagne baths at Vichy Springs Spa (Jack London’s favorite) or The City of Ten Thousand Buddha’s with its vegetarian restaurant (open 11:30 to 3:00).
Don’t miss Grace Hudson Museum’s permanent and touring exhibits as well as the adjacent craftsman style Sun House. Take in lunch or dinner at Ukiah’s Patronas on the main town square, featuring fine local produce. Sushi lovers, visit Oco Time for fresh Japanese cuisine.
Upper Lake is less than 30 minutes east on Highway 20 from Ukiah. Once you’ve arrived at the Tallman Hotel, we’ll welcome you to your room or suite. Shake off the road with a soak in the hot tub, or your private Ofuro soaking tub. Or simply sip a chardonnay in the shade and let the city pace slip away.
Join us for a delicious meal at the Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant, some live entertainment, your favorite cocktail, craft beers and Lake County wines. We serve a full menu of classic pub fare for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
After a complimentary, continental breakfast in the hotel dining room, we invite you to enjoy some of the numerous outdoor activities around the lake.
- Saturday morning guided nature walks at Rodman Slough Preserve, provided by Lake County Land Trust.
- Powerboat and jet ski rentals are available at Disney Water Sports in Lakeport.
- Birding and nature trails at Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville.
- Panoramic views from the top of Mt Konocti (2800 feet above lake level) are now open to the public and offer ample rewards after a three mile hike from the trailhead.
- In Kelseyville around lunchtime? Go to Studebaker’s Deli and Coffee Shop for a sandwich.
- In the afternoon, take a tour of the best wineries and tasting rooms on the South and West sides of the Lake.
- Take the Quilt Trail Tour in Kelseyville and Lakeport.
End the afternoon with a visit to the Gregory Graham Winery and Vigilance Vineyards with their spectacular views of lake. On your way back, stop for a local brew O’Meara Brothers Brewpub in Lakeport, lunch or dinner at the Saw Shop Bistro in Kelseyville, fantastic burgers at the Park Place, or fresh, authentic Asian cuisine a the Thai Bistro
in Lakeport. We love all these places, but we love our food best – so come on back and we’ll fix you a delicious meal at the Blue Wing.
Heading “out on the town?” Check with our front desk for local music or other happenings. The Blue Wing Saloon and Restaurant features live
music at brunch and supper every Sunday, touring and local Blues bands each Monday evening, and background music for our $20 Tuesdays.
Whatever you decide to do during your stay, our Hotel staff is happy to provide details or make reservations on all these and other
activities. We can even pack your lunch!
After a leisurely breakfast or Sunday Brunch at the Blue Wing, head home along Highway 20 along the East side of the lake. At Clearlake Oaks, head up High Valley Road five miles or so to the spectacular Brassfield Estate Winery.
For a real adventure off the beaten path, check out Six Sigma Ranch and Winery south of Lower Lake.
Continue along Hwy 29 through Middletown, over Mt. St. Helena and down into the beautiful Napa Valley. Stay on Hwy 29 through Calistoga, St. Helena and the town of Napa. Or follow the scenic Silverado Trail along the Eastern edge of the Napa Valley, parallel to and several miles to the east of Hwy 29.
Heading North
Here are some ideas if you are heading north on Hwy 101 through the redwoods toward Eureka:
30 minutes west of Upper Lake, the town of Ukiah is definitely worth a visit. The Grace Hudson Museum and Sun House is an historic home featuring the work of artist Grace Carpenter Hudson, Pomo Indian baskets, historic photographs and objects from the family’s large collection.
Further up Hwy 101 toward Willits is Ridgewood Ranch home of the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit. It’s a great place to visit, but please check their tour schedule.
Finally, 50 minutes up Hwy 101 from Upper Lake is the town of Willits. An unforgettable experience is to ride the Skunk Train through the redwoods on a half day trip to Northspur or all the way to Fort Bragg on the coast. Please check their trip options and schedule of departures.
We hope you enjoyed your stay – we look forward to seeing you again soon!