Living in Lake Chelan is like taking a vacation every day. The beloved tourism destination is a fantastic place to call home, and an excellent choice for a secondary home, not only for its arid climate and relative lack of rainfall, but also for its myriad outdoor recreation opportunities, rich agricultural heritage, and laid-back, yet sophisticated appeal. With more than 300 days of sunshine annually and four distinct seasons, residents in this tight-knit community, which encompasses the communities of Chelan, Manson, and Stehekin, truly experience the best of all worlds.
More than 5,000 people in Chelan country are employed by the tourism industry; the valley attracts over 2 million visitors a year. The sector is second only to Lake Chelan’s world-renowned agricultural industry, which abounds thanks to irrigation from the lake as well as the mighty Columbia River. In Chelan County, this translates to wine and apples. The valley has more than 200 acres of wine grapes and over 30 wineries. Lake Chelan was named Washington State’s 11th American Viticultural Area in 2009.
The shores of Lake Chelan are also recognized for the world-famous apples, beloved throughout the country for their excellent taste, crispness, long shelf life, and rich color. Living in Lake Chelan offers the freshest possible access to apples, as well as cherries, pears, apricots, peaches, and more.
An ideal community in which to raise a family and run a business, the city is centrally located, allowing full- and part-time residents to telecommute with quality infrastructure and easy access to destinations across the state. Charming shopping districts, numerous restaurants, a thriving art scene, a superior community hospital, and strong participation in the community’s civic groups are the icing on the cake.
A great place to visit for its natural beauty and abundant amenities, the Lake Chelan Valley is an even better place to call home.