Hidden Valley Lake, California
| Hidden Valley Lake, California | |
|---|---|
| Census-designated place | |
 Location within Lake County and California |
|
| Coordinates: 38°48′29″N 122°33′30″W / 38.80806°N 122.55833°WCoordinates: 38°48′29″N 122°33′30″W / 38.80806°N 122.55833°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Lake |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.888 sq mi (25.609 km2) |
| • Land | 9.734 sq mi (25.211 km2) |
| • Water | 0.154 sq mi (0.398 km2) 1.55% |
| Elevation | 1,191 ft (363 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 5,579 |
| • Density | 560/sq mi (220/km2) |
| Time zone | Pacific (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 95467 |
| Area code | 707 |
| FIPS code | 06-33549 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1766196, 2408382 |
| Website | hvla |
Hidden Valley Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) and gated subdivision in Lake County, California, United States. The population was 5,579 at the 2010 census, up from 3,777 at the 2000 census. Today, it is a CID (Common Interest Development) known as Hidden Valley Lake Association (HVLA).
Hidden Valley Lake, CA, (HVL) was originated and developed by the USA Land Corp. from the late 1960s until 1972. During that time, a dam was constructed across Coyote Creek creating the 102 acre "Hidden Valley Lake." Also during that time several buildings were constructed - clubhouse, cart barn, tennis courts and campground - and the 18-Hole "Billy Bell" golf course was installed. Its original design was as a vacation/recreation retreat. From 1970-72, the Equestrian Center and Country Club (later, Community Center) were built. 3310 lots were laid out for homes. Another 695 larger lots were also laid out in a nearby area called "The Ranchos." In 1972, USA Land Corp. was bought by Boise Cascade. BC offered model vacation homes, regular homes and vacation rentals. BC promoted the leisure-time and recreational activities available at HVL throughout the Western USA.
By 1973, there were 85 homes built. Throughout the 1970s most property buyers were families who planned to eventually build vacation homes. They often made use of the campgrounds. Calpine Corp. began construction of a geothermal power plant several miles to the south. Their workers plus speculators and retirees began to buy lots and build homes in HVL. BC also built a large Marina at the southeast end of Clearlake (about 10 miles north of HVL). BC provided well financially for all the leisure/recreational activities in HVL and also put on low-cost activities, parties and meals for owners: including horse, bike, canoe and paddle-boat rentals. Annual assessments were $70 per year; collection was inconsistent. BC was losing money on developments like HVL and had suffered several class-action-suits. BC turned HVL over to the Hidden Valley Lake Association (HVLA) and its Board of Directors along with a $200,000 starter fund in 1974.
During 1974, HVLA sold the Marina at Clearlake. Lake County agreed to assume responsibility for the drainage easements but declined to take care of the roads within HVL. The Board realized assessments had to be raised in order to have funds to maintain amenities, roads, safety/security operations, etc. Assessments proved inadequate partly due to the insufficient amount and partly due to lax collection practices. Thus maintenance was often deferred and compromises were made based on "priorities determined by the prevailing, transitory interests of the Board…" (HVLA Compass Oct. 2007; p 7). For the remainder of the 70's and well into the 80's a majority of property owners did not live in HVL, either using it for vacations or holding the land for investment.
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