The Six Districts of Lake Chelan Real Estate

Real Estate

Jul 27

Six Districts. Two Shores. One Lake.

The two shores of Lake Chelan, north and south, and the valley’s two communities, Manson and Chelan, define its real estate.

Each shore offers unique views, sun angles, topography, and neighborhoods. And each community offers a unique mix of commerce and lifestyle.

Taken together, Manson and Chelan and the lake’s two shores define the six districts of Lake Chelan real estate:

1. Downtown Chelan

2. North Shore Neighborhoods

3. The Gold Coast

4. The Manson Basin

5. The Cool Shore

6. Quiet Uplake

Each district offers a unique Lake Chelan lifestyle throughout the valley’s four seasons. Each offers unique real estate opportunities. Here’s your introduction to all six.

Walkability defines the real estate surrounding downtown Chelan and its south shore neighborhood of Lakeside. Whether by foot or bike, you are a short ten minutes to restaurants, bars, marinas, wineries, parks and more.

This is the epicenter of action in the peak summer months of July and August. It is the home to the majority of the full-share condo associations and the pivot point for all north and south shore traffic.

It is also the home of many of the landmarks that have defined the Lake Chelan experience for generations. Think the Chelan Bridge. Campbell’s Resort. The Ruby Theater.

Immediately beyond downtown Chelan on the north shore are the largest of Lake Chelan’s neighborhoods. These include Chelan Hills, Crystal View Estates, Key Bay, and Legacy Ridge.

This area of the valley offers incredible community waterfront options, immediate access to Chelan, and iconic views of Stormy Mountain. North shore neighborhoods face southwest, and so the sun can grow a bit relentless during the summer. But year-round residents swear by this sun in winter.

Views, sun angle, access, spaciousness, and a cohesive wine country landscape converge on the Gold Coast of Lake Chelan’s south shore. Homes face north to northeast and enjoy balanced sun year round.

These homes also enjoy easy access to Chelan and quick access to Wenatchee and Seattle given their “first-in/ first-out” location on Hwy 97a. Finally, some of the valley’s most prominent wineries are just minutes away.

The Manson basin unfolds just past Rocky Point. The landscape broadens, vineyards and apple orchards spring up, and winery signs point the way to fun.

Like the North Shore Neighborhoods, this district enjoys plenty of sun. But shade comes a bit sooner in the summer thanks to proximity to the mountains to the west.

This district offers an amazing diversity of real estate because of its rolling landscape. From sandy beach waterfront homes, to condos at Wapato Point, to view properties hugging the slopes above the community center, the Manson Basin offers something for everyone.

The Cool Shore celebrates a moderate sun angle, quick access to Wenatchee through the Navarre Coulee, and the quieter traffic flow of the South Lakeshore Road.

Properties face to the northeast and enjoy sweeping summer sun throughout the day and then some welcome shade in the evenings from Slide Ridge to the west. Hillsides of sagebrush give way to tall stands of Ponderosa pine.

The Quiet Uplake District extends beyond Manson on the north shore and the State Park on the south shore. This section of the valley enjoys a slower pace, even during the summer months. There are fewer boats on the water, more pine trees on the hillsides, and the lake is deeper and more refreshing.

The valley narrows in this district as well and the mountains stretch higher on both sides of the lake. Serenity and peacefulness abound in the Quiet Uplake district.

Waterfront homes are chiseled into the shoreline. Occasional upland homes offer views of the lake framed by Ponderosas.