"Old Time Resort Town on North Shore of Clear Lake" Upper Lake by atufft

Clear Lake is the largest natural lake entirely within the state of California, and would be the largest altogether if it weren't for Lake Tahoe. All the other reservoirs, such as Shasta Lake, and the Salton Sea were created in modern times. Thus, Clear Lake was a resort for San Franciscan's wanting to get away at a time when Los Angeles was little more than a pueblo. The Pomo Indians would sell their baskets and beadwork to the tourists, and a small fishing industry popped up along the shoreline. After the lake became an endangered ecosystem, polluted and with few fish, and the ranching and logging industries began to fade to the competition further south, places like Upper Lake began to suffer economically and culturally. Unemployed and under educated workers hung out at bars, fished, and did little more. Yet, there remains a history worth checking out a the northern side of the lake because this was one of the last Pomo Indian retreats. There are a few bargain places to stay and the lake itself remains quite pleasant for a boat ride.