Located at the site of the Lodge’s former restaurant, the special events center now offers panoramic views of scenic Blue Lakes, plus the Magic Ballroom, the Ice Bar, and the Waterscape Deck with gazebo.
The center is available for events of all types – from weddings and family reunions to meetings, retreats, even holiday parties.
Historic wall paintings, which still grace the center’s walls, hint at the colorful history of the old Lodge, which originally opened to weary stagecoach travelers in 1870 as “Blue Lakes Lodge” and, over the years, was subject to two fires, temporary closings and even a move across the lake to its present location.
Today, owners Peter and Maryann Schmid have lovingly refurbished what is now known as “The Lodge at Blue Lakes” to welcome guests from all over California – from fishermen to vacationing families to wedding parties – to relax, restore and remember.
“When we first bought this property, we envisioned it as a hub for families and friends to get together and share lifetime memories,” said Maryann Schmid.
She said that was their reason behind the recently completed restoration of the special events center, to create a place where those lifetime memories can be shared during family reunions, weddings, birthdays, holiday parties and more.
Known for its slogan, “Your Own Personal Resort on the Lake,” The Lodge At Blue Lakes is just that.
Nestled in the hills near the historic town of Upper Lake, The Lodge at Blue Lakes offers a combination of quiet natural beauty with luxurious modern touches where guests enjoy the peaceful setting next to the gentle waters of Blue Lakes.
The resort has 20 richly appointed rooms, many of which open right out to the lake, and range from mountain-view or lakeside rooms with hardwood floors, to kitchenette rooms with refrigerator, stove, and granite and stainless-steel finishes, to deluxe Jacuzzi rooms with luxurious whirlpool tub, king bed with canopy, fireplace, double shower heads, and a DVD player.
Guests can enjoy an eco-friendly paddle on Blue Lakes via complimentary kayaks. Or, they may choose to fish, hike, or just lounge by the pool or the lake and simply reflect.
A RESORT WITH A PAST
The original “Blue Lakes Lodge” was constructed in 1870 by Ebeneser Graham. The Blue Lakes Wagon Road Co. completed a toll road in 1867 connecting Ukiah and upper Lake County. Weary travelers would refresh, dine and rest their horses before continuing their journey.
By 1880, Theodore Deming bought the property and renamed it “The Blue Lake Hotel.” As the story goes, by 1896, local citizens grew tired of paying the fee to cross the toll road. In their rebellion, local volunteers constructed a free road passage on the opposite side of Blue Lakes. It was this historic passage that would later become Highway 20, one of Northern California’s major east-west routes, which winds from the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in the eastern part of the state westward to the Pacific Coast.
After a devastating fire in 1899, the hotel was rebuilt in 1900 and expanded to accommodate 50 to 60 guests. A second fire occurred in 1913, which led to the temporary closing of the hotel. Harry Kemp acquired the property in 1925, and sadly, very little is known of The Blue Lakes Lodge for the next decade.
It was built in its present location across the lake in the late 1930s. With the invention of the “horseless carriage,” The Lodge was enjoyed by fishermen and vacationing families from all over California. In 1978, The Lodge served as the location for the filming of the movie, “Magic,” starring Anthony Hopkins and Ann-Margret.
Located along scenic Highway 20 east of Ukiah, the area of Blue Lakes serves as the western gateway into Lake County, California’s hottest new wine country destination.
The Lodge at Blue Lakes is located at 5135 West Highway 20 in Upper Lake, California. To book a wedding or special event or to make a reservation, contact The Lodge at Blue Lakes at 707-275-2181, www.thelodgeatbluelakes.com.
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