Nestled in the northeastern corner of the Golden State, you’ll discover Shasta Cascade’s Lake Almanor, one of the California’s best-kept secrets. Lake Almanor is one of the largest lakes in Northern California, with 52 miles of shoreline. The large man-made lake has something for everyone—including family-friendly activities and picture-perfect mountain views from nearly every vantage point. Lake Almanor is situated in the unique geological area where the granite of the Sierra Nevada’s meets with the lava of the last volcano in the Cascade mountain range. From Lake Almanor, you can explore the Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lassen National Forest, and the Caribou Wilderness, or just spend your time on the beautiful lake, taking advantage of its quiet campgrounds and fantastic water sport opportunities. “The average reaction when people first come here is probably a little bit of awe,” says Todd Geer, owner of Plumas Pine Resort, about the mountain reservoir, which is located three hours north of Sacramento. It was completed by Great Western Power Co. in 1927 and named for the three daughters of a company executive: Alice, Martha, and Eleanor.