Upper Lake can be explored through several distinct themes: its local history includes the Tallman Hotel as a historic site and the terminus of two stagecoach lines; Upper Lake Park and Wild West Days offer different points of interest. For trip planning, these historic themes, a specific park amenity, and a seasonal festival are all options to consider.

Historic Traces in and Around Upper Lake

Upper Lake is a stop on the Heritage Tour through Lake County. Upper Lake was also the terminus of the Clear-Lake and Cloverdale stagecoach lines. The tour and the lines offer two different perspectives: the Heritage Tour places the town in the history of the county, while the stagecoach lines point to its former role in transportation. Those choosing historic topics can thus distinguish between a county-wide perspective and the history of the town itself.

The Tallman Hotel is a historic site in Upper Lake. In 2008, it was listed in the California Register of Historical Resources as a Point of Historical Interest under registration number SPHI-LAK-010. This designation adds another point of reference to the history of the stagecoach lines: alongside a former transportation role is a specific entry in the register.

The historic site of the Battle of Bloody Island is 1.7 miles southeast of Upper Lake. In 1850, US soldiers killed almost all of the Indigenous people living there. The Indigenous people were suspected of killing two white men, but their responsibility was questioned. In 1851, a treaty was negotiated there between white and Indigenous people. If you wish to visit the historic marker, check local conditions and access in advance.

Park, Festival, and Nature Theme

Upper Lake Park has a playground and a softball field. Alongside the historic themes, these offer two specific recreational features. The park has a different focus from the Heritage Tour or the historic site southeast of town. If you are weighing different interests when choosing where to stay, you can consider the park’s amenities as a separate option.

A tourism description dated May 17, 2022, describes Wild West Days as an annual celebration held in Upper Lake in June. The same description says that horses and cowboys fill Main Street during the festival. Unlike the historic sites, the celebration is tied to a specific time of year. Check event dates when planning your trip if you would like to include Wild West Days.

Upper Lake describes itself as “The Gateway to the Mendocino National Forest.” This self-description adds a nature theme alongside the town’s history. If you include the Mendocino National Forest in your trip plans, check conditions there before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Lakeport, Nice, Lucerne, Middletown, Clearlake Oaks, Clearlake, Kelseyville, Lower Lake.

For the broader travel overview: Lake.