How to Spend 4 Days in Lake Almanor, California

Today I want to share my itinerary for 4 days in Lake Almanor with you. If you want to get off the beaten path in Northern California, it's the perfect place for a vacation. This heart-shaped reservoir in the Golden State is the ideal place to escape the crowds, head out on the water, and have a genuinely local travel experience. I'm here now and I'm excited to show you the best things to do in Lake Almanor. I've included a map, too.

4 Days in Lake Almanor

You've probably never heard of Lake Almanor. I hadn't either. Neither had anyone I asked. I grew up in the Bay Area and I've seen a lot of California, but this part of NorCal has flown under my radar. Way up north near Lassen Volcanic National Park, it's a hidden gem in Plumas County.

When friends who were born and raised in Chico invited my other half and me to stay with them on the lake, we jumped at the chance to discover a new-to-us part of the Golden State. They've been coming here for years, and they've told us all about this beautiful reservoir and how much they enjoy the relaxed pace of life on the water.

Now we're here and we're excited to discover the highlights with local experts. We've driven here with The Pup after spending 48 hours in Mendocino, and given how much we all love the water, we can't wait to see what our Lake Almanor vacation has in store for us.

Where to Stay in Lake Almanor

We're staying at our friends' house on the East Shore. There's lots of lodging here and around other parts of the waterfront. Whether you're looking for a hotel, a cabin to rent, or a lakefront property to stay in, there's something for you.

If you want to base yourself in town, Chester is a great spot. It's right on the lake and there are good options for accommodation here. From the popular Antlers Inn to apartment rentals and homes, you're spoiled for choice. If you want to get away from it all, you can stay somewhere like Lake Almanor Country Club, a quiet spot around the water, or Camp Almanor at Big Springs.

If you're intersted in seeing a range of places you can call home-away-from-home, you can see a variety and book a stay here. You're sure to find somewhere that fits your travel style and preferences.

Day 1

We kick off our trip to Lake Almanor with a 5.5-hour drive from Mendocino. We go through redwood forests on scenic Highway 20, stop for lunch at In-N-Out in Ukiah, cruise along the north shore of Clear Lake, and drive northeast on Highway 32.

Lake Almanor

We pull into our friends' driveway in the late afternoon, happy to have arrived after a big road trip. They welcome us with drinks and snacks overlooking the lake, and we marvel at the snow-capped views of Lassen Peak in the distance.

Later we have dinner at the house. There's a big grocery store called Holiday Market in Chester and another one called Peninsula Market on the East Shore. Our friends have picked up supplies for a barbecue dinner, and we all tuck into the meal as the sun starts to sink.

After dinner we head out on the lake. Our friends' pontoon boat glides across the surface as the sky turns pink and purple. We enjoy more stunning views of Lassen Peak as we take in the lakefront scenery and the houses along the peninsula. It's the perfect introduction to the laid-back pace of life on the water here.

Day 2

The next morning our itinerary for 4 days in Lake Almanor continues with a home-cooked breakfast and a trip into Chester.

Chester

Chester is the main town on Lake Almanor, and there's everything from shops to restaurants, cafes, bars, and lodging here. We walk around and pop into cute interior design boutiques like Gather Home, where we can't help picking up a dog-shaped pillow that looks just like The Pup.

From there we wander over to Mt. Lassen Club, a historic dive bar on Main Street. Built in 1911, this former grocery store was converted into a local watering hole in 1932. It's the oldest bar in Chester, and it has the atmosphere to match. We get a round of drinks, take in the wood-paneled surroundings, and soak up the sense of history.

Plumas Pines Resort & Bar

We eat lunch at our friends' place on the East Shore, then hop on the boat for a big afternoon of activities. With 53 miles of shoreline, Lake Almanor is an ideal place to do water sports. We head across the lake, towing a big 4-rider inflatable tube with our friends' kids on it as we make our way to Plumas Pines Resort & Bar.

This lakefront spot is famous for pineade, strawberry lemonade topped with a rum floater. We settle in at a table on the deck and order a couple rounds. They're the perfect treats on a hot day, and we take in the boats zooming across the water as we sip them.

Boating on the Lake

Back on the boat, we stop by the beach at Lake Almanor Country Club. It's packed with people enjoying the afternoon on the waterfront. We marvel at how many kids of all ages are playing in the lake.

We spend some time catching up with people our friends know, then make our way back to their house for a big home-cooked dinner. Afterwards we head out on the boat for an evening ride. It's a great way to enjoy the cool breeze and a fun way to end the second of our 4 days in Lake Almanor.

Day 3

The next morning we sleep in and go for a swim, soaking up the views of Lassen Peak and enjoying the scenery before heading out for a late brunch.

Brunch at Carol's Prattville Cafe

We boat across Lake Almanor and tie up at the dock at Carol's Prattville Cafe. The oldest family-run restaurant on the reservoir, it serves delicious biscuits and gravy. It's famous for its pies, too.

We settle in at an outdoor table on the wrap-around deck and get excited for a big brunch. The service is slow and they lose two of our orders, but the food is good when it finally arrives. At the end we can't help chasing up plates of blueberry pancakes and French toast with pie milkshakes (yes, they're really a thing).

After eating our fill, we hop in the boat and tow the kids on the tube as we make our way back to the East Shore. It's a beautiful day to be out on the water, and it feels like a classic Californian vacation.

Jet Skiing

In the afternoon we go jet skiing on Lake Almanor. It's a popular activity here, and we have fun zooming around the reservoir on our friends' Sea-Doo. It's a fun way to see the lake and feel the adrenaline pumping through our veins while we're at it.

Afterwards we enjoy a big taco dinner on the deck at the house. We soak up the sunset views, play a round of bocce ball, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the lake at night.

Day 4

The next morning is the last of our 4 days in Lake Almanor. We wake up early to pack and eat breakfast, then spend the rest of our time on the water.

Lake Almanor

We swim around the shore and throw the ball for The Pup, who loves it here. We watch the stand-up paddle boarders glide by, take in the inner tubers in the distance, and wave to the kayakers. We soak up the Northern California sun, enjoy a big lunch on the water, then say good-bye to our friends.

Chico

The drive from Lake Almanor to San Francisco takes 4.5 hours, so we break it up with a couple stops. The first is in Chico, where we do a beer tasting at the famous Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. The big wood-paneled taproom feels like a German beer hall.

We enjoy sampling a range of IPAs, stouts, and ales as we take in the atmosphere and view the copper brewing equipment through the glass. It's a fun break on a long drive.

Elsewhere in Chico, we stop to see the fountains in City Plaza and take pictures of Our Hands, a sculpture by artist Donna Billick. It's a larger-than-life pair of cupped hands reaching up from the sidewalk near city hall.

Sacramento

Back in the car, we drive south to Sacramento. We stop to walk around Old Sacramento, with its historic facades and shops. We also take a stroll along the waterfront, where we spot the yellow form of Tower Bridge and check out the riverboat that houses the Delta King Hotel. With its big red paddlewheel, it's one of the most unique hotels in California.

From there we drive over to MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza for dinner. It's right on K Street near the arena, and the thin-crust pizzas go down a treat after a big day of swimming and driving.

4-Day Lake Almanor Itinerary

We reach San Francisco around 11pm, our minds full of memories of our time in Mendocino and Lake Almanor. It's been an amazing California road trip, and a fun way to see some of the less-visited parts of the Golden State.

I hope you've enjoyed this itinerary and that it's inspired you to visit Lake Almanor yourself. It's worth the effort to soak up the lakefront atmosphere and enjoy the relaxed pace of life. If you get a chance to travel here, I'm sure you'll love this part of NorCal as much as I do.

Lake Almanor Map

Find this helpful? Buy me a coffee!

Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I earn a small commission when you click on them and make a purchase. It doesn't affect the way you shop, and it's a great way to support the California Wayfaring blog.

Pin it!