Finally started looking for that "second home" Live in the bay area and don't want to travel more than 4 hours to our weekend gateaway. we have looked near Lassen, Grayeagle and will be heading to Bass Lake to take a peek.Want to be in a quiet area,not one that attracts the loud,motor boat type.Water front is out of our price range but near one is duable. My question is this-any tips on where to specifically look? What to stay away from? any suggestions will be much appreciated

I'd make sure you understand what winter is like there and have a clear understanding of how much you would visit in winter.

Lassen and Grayeagle would be out for me on that basis.

Four hours is a long trek... if I were planning to visit fairly often, weekly or bi-weekly I would want no more than a two hour drive each way.

That being said, are you going to be neneding to put a boat in the water? Then I would look at proximity to the launch area... its no fun to have to drive a fair distance just to put the boat in after you've already apent hours in the car.

If that isn't a concern and lakefront isnt an option, I'd go for the best view and the sights and smells, possibly activities nearby. Me? I'd probably just be curled up with a book enjoying the view, so I'm easy to please.

I dont know of any lakes that prohibit loud motors but if youj are in the 5 mile hour buoy zone, it wont matter, they wont be able to open up. if you wont be lakefront, that probably wont be a concern anyway.

Bass Lake is nice... fairly close to many services and the road is usually open... also close enough to Yosemite for daytrips, which might be a draw for you!

let us know where you end up!

We have family at Lake McCumber between Shingletown and Lassen Park. They really like it up there. The lake is neat for canoeing and kayaking - I don't think motors are allowed at all. The major thing this lake is missing IMO, is a beach. The elevation is 4200 feet, so they do get snow, but generally not a ton.

We also have family at Lake Wildwood near Grass Valley. This is a gated community started about 40 years ago - plenty of full time residents, some part time. The lake is great - good swimming beaches, boating, etc. I don't know if motors are allowed, but fast boats definitely are not. The elevation is about 1500 ft, so it is in the hills but not the mountains - hardly any snow ever. Because this is a gated community, there is an HOA and some rules - I think they aren't too arduous though. One benefit is that there is a shopping center just outside the gates of the community and it is pretty close to Grass Valley and Nevada city, so you aren' t totally out in the sticks.

Englbright Lake and Rollins Lakee are also up the way, but I haven't been to either in years so I can't give a good description.

Our family used to have a cabin at Lake Madrone, which is outside of Oroville, up behind Lake Oroville. I think it started in the 1920s or there abouts as a resort area. The lake is pretty small and it is great for swimming. Too small for boating really, although when I was a kid we used to have great fun messing around with kayaks and canoes. This is a really laid-back community and some of the cabins are still owned by the original families. I don't remember what the elevation is, but it is low enough not to have snow often. Winters can be pretty rainy though.

I don't know anything about the area but have some thoughts about the topic.

2 hours from home is a LOT better than 4 hours for a weekend getaway. My boss and good friend had a place 4 hours away and regretted it. She'd groan when she passed the turn-off to my place, knowing they had 2 more hours in the car - each way.

I'm very glad I bought in a community/subdivision. Most guests think they are in the middle of nowhere, and are amazed to learn how many residents there are around us. I like the fact that full-timers walk the roads every day for exercise with their dogs and will notice anything out of line. Houses on their own (isolated) property are at more risk for break-ins.

I'm very glad that I bought in a community that maintains the roads. The HOA officers can be a pain sometimes, but our dues keep the roads in good shape. Neighbors who live off a similar road that isn't maintained have a lot of problems in a few years with needed repairs - and who will pay for it. Check to see who owns the roads and who maintains it.

If winter weather is a concern check the access roads. Again, I lucked out and bought a place that has county maintained roads that are the first to be cleared after snow falls. I can get into my place (and out of it) when friends in the area cannot.

I was lucky that the man who built my place made it easy to winterize. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to drain the pipes and put anti-freeze in the sinks/tubs/toilets. I gambled a bit this winter and lost. I left the heat on low, but the temps went lower. I had several pipes to burst. My neighor had to have his entire place replumbed. This year I'll winterize every time I leave it, even if it's just for a few days.

Check to see where the nearest fire hydrant is and how much your insurance will be if you are in a high rate zone. It may be enough of a difference to choose one place over another.

Enjoy the search.

We have a cabin in the High Sierra (up from Sonora) and it's 2.5 hours drive for us which is perfect. The lake nearest to us is Pinecrest (we're along 108). Also you can check along Hwy 4 and Hwy 120 (Pine Mountain Lake). The prices right now are a steal too! You can get a decent place for 100K.

Oh, and lynni, Pinecrest lake only allows put put motors, so no jet skis or speedboats and man is that nice. Sailboats, kayakers, and low speed party boats is all there are.