FAQ and AI Chat

Sugarloaf Marina is next door to many of the homes.  No other homes at Shasta are closer.  Distance varies depending on lake level.  This is a seasonal marina that is normally open from May 1 to September 30th.

Antlers marina is closer to Retreat 11 and 16.

If the lake drops to a very low level, they at times move these marinas out of the area to deeper water.  See “Marinas” section and the “lake level” section for latest information.

There are several boat ramps close to our homes.  The closest is next door at the Sugarloaf Marina.  If lake is low then you have to drive about 1/2 mile (also very close).  If lake is 140′ or more below the top, you may need to drive to distant ramp.  See “Boat Ramps” and “Lake Level” for more information.

Yes, all of our homes are Pet Friendly for dogs only, but must be disclosed, approved by the owners as we want to keep the homes very nice.  We allow up to two dogs (except Retreat 5 only allows 1).  We charge $95 (lowered from $120) extra per dog for your stay.

Go to the reservations page on this website and you can book direct to save some money or you can pick VRBO or Airbnb lower on the same page.

• Yes, on our website and on Airbnb and VRBO.

No.  Although we do have garages at some of the homes, we do not make them available to our guests as we have our personal belongings in them and they are not big enough for boats.  The neighborhood and marina is safe.  No need for garages.

Easy 25 minute drive

Yes.  See our “Availability Calendar” page on this site for current availability

NO.  NO.   NO.  Our rules can be found here

We try to take care of almost everything except Food, your clothing, your personal items, Shampoo, and some paper goods (plastic bags, Tin Foil, etc).

Approximately 30% of the total cost if booked direct with us.  Might be 50% through VRBO or Airbnb.

Yes on all reservations, to protect you and us and to avoid misunderstandings.  It is easy to sign on line.  Note:  We have never had to use it as we have great guests.

There are over 1100 FIVE STAR reviews on the “Reviews” page of this website.  You can also see them on VRBO, AirBnB, Google and Yelp.

Yes.  $1000 to $2500 per home depending on the home.  All Retreats are $1000 except Retreat 7 which is $2000 and 19 which is $2500.   We do not charge your credit card.  We just put a hold on it starting two days before you arrive and then release three days after you depart.

No.  Sorry.  You can have a great time…but not a loud party.   Sound travels too far and the neighbors will not tolerate.  We recommend a houseboat for big loud parties.  Our rules can be found here

Please review the following webpage.

Our homes have some of the best views of the lake and the mountains.  Trust me….you can’t beat this.  See the “Reviews” and all the photos on this website.

Yes, all Retreats have a Washer and Dryer

We release normally within 3 days.

Yes.  2-3 miles to local store in Lakehead.  25 miles to Costco, Safeway and more in Redding

Click Here for more info.

Rarely.  Although we are up in the mountains and you will love it, if you want a cabin in the snow….we prefer you stay somewhere else as we do not want you to be disappointed.  Most of our guests drive to Mt. Shasta to get in some snow for a day or two.  It is about a 40 minute drive on good roads.

Yes at Mt. Shasta about 45 minutes away.

In a normal, non-drought year the lake will fill close to the top around memorial day.  Since it is a water reservoir for California, it will drop slowly until the rains start in the winter.  The distance from the homes to the water will very greatly for this reason.  In 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023. 2024, 2025 the lake filled to the top by Memorial Day.  We expect the same in 2026.  In 2020 it was 30′ short and in 2021 it was about 100′ short.  The lake can fill up very fast with a strong winter.  A couple times in history (1977 and 2021) the lake level dropped to a point where it was just a river flowing by our homes.  Although even at this lake level there is plenty of water in the lake to enjoy, just not in the Lakehead area.  See the “Lake Level” section of this web site for the latest information.

Unfortunately not.  Much of the shores of Shasta Lake are either rock or red dirt.  When the lake drops to a very low level, it can be silt or mud.  Great clear warm water but without the sand.

• Summer – 9-18 months (our homes tend to book up first at Shasta Lake)
• Spring/Fall – 3 to 6 Months
• Winter Holidays – 3 to 6 Months
• Winter – With short notice many times

• Ranges from $200 to $1200+ a night depending on the time of the year, day of week and house.  At times you might see rates lower in off season during the week.  See “Specials” section of web site.
• Ranges from $1500 a week to $8000+ a week depending on the time of the year and house.  Plus $1000-$2500 hold on credit card, lodging tax which is 10%, and cleaning of $240 to $495
• Discounts for 3, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 28 nights.
• There is also a webpage on this topic you can review.
• Best way to understand the price is to go to our “Reservations Page”.  Enter the desired dates and our website will provide a total price and breakdown quickly.  Any issues, please contact us and we will help.

Now that Dave retired from Hi-Tech, the income from the rentals is our only souce of additional income.  We use a part of it to live on and protect our retirement funds and the balance is re-invested into the homes.

Our objective is that every year our guests come back they see new improvements based on their inputs

Yes.  Although we have space for your boat at our homes, we highly recommend you book a slip at Sugarloaf Marina or Antlers for your stay if they are open.  In 2023 they were $55 a night.  We always rent a slip when we are there.  See Marina and Boat Slips section of web site

Yes, all homes have Air Conditioning.

Yes.  All homes have internet.  Although not as fast as in the city, we think you will find it will work well for zoom meetings and streaming video as long as not too many at the same time.

We have 18 vacation homes and can sleep up to 220 as of November 2025.  9 of the homes are on the same street.  6 more are a short walk.  We have listings that combine Retreat 1 and 2 and also listings that combine Retreat 1, 2, 3, and 4 which provide a built in discount.  We also offer multiple home discounts if you contact us.

We can support up to 220.  Please see our large group section of the website

Yes, Retreat 1 & 2 share 2 Kayaks & 2 Paddle Boards (shared between the two homes).  Retreat #8 has an adult and child kayak and a paddle board. Retreat #9 has two kayaks.  R3, R4, R10, R11 and R19 have two paddle boards and two kayaks.   R15 and R16 have one kayaks and one paddle board.  Please check webpage for latest info.  They are all complementary to our guests at their own risk.  In the summer months there is also a floating island in the cove for R1-R5, R10 (unless the forest rangers make us remove it).  See this comparison list for more information.

No, none of the fires over the past several years have had any impact on any of our homes or the general area.  Only about 10% of the shoreline of Shasta Lake was burned in 2018.  Most of this is now covered by small trees and bushes.  You will not even be able to tell.  Here is more information that is up to date.

No, unfortunately as a smaller marina, Sugarloaf Marina, tends to be open from May 1 to September 30.  Antlers tend to be open longer but does eventually close in the offseason.  Larger marinas like Bridge Bay tend to remain open all year. Please note as the water level drops, Antlers moves their marina many times down to Sugarloaf.  If the water drops to 140′ down, the marinas start to move out of this area.  Call them for additional information.  See our “Marinas” page for more information.  See “Lake Level” page for the latest on this topic.

Go to dedicated section for each Retreat on this website.  They all have floor plans there.

Yes, we also manage properties for other owners.  Four of the homes belong to our family.  Two of these by Lori and Dave and Retreat 3 is owned by our sons plus Retreat 9 is owned by multiple family members.  All the others are different owners but we brand them under the Shasta Lakeshore Retreat and provide the same great level of service.

Full refund for cancelations 60 days prior no questions asked.  For more information please see our web page call “Cancelation Policy“

Yes, as long as the home fits our quality standards and we believe we can work with the owners.  Please review the “Property Management” section of the website.  We encourage you to view the voice over presentation on this page.