[2] Upper Lake is located 8 miles (13 km) north of Lakeport,[4] at an elevation of 1,345 feet (410 m).

[4] The settlement began in 1854 or 1856, when William B. Elliott opened a blacksmith's shop.

The community grew as cattle stock, alfalfa and bean canneries became the main economic draws.

[6] In 1872 the Upper Lake & Clover Valley Toll Road Co." built an improved route that connected Bartlett Springs.

These toll roads became the major route to move people in and out of Lake County.

By the early 1890s, all major routes into and out of Lake County were toll roads.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), of which over 99% is land.

The Hayville Sulphur Spring, formerly used medicinally, is located 5 miles (8 km) northwest.

The Upper Lake area emerged as a wine-growing region in the 1880s, counting among his earliest viticulturists Serranus Clinton Hastings, who farmed 125 acres (51 ha) of vineyards and had a winery and distillery built, operating until 1900.

[15][16] Charles M. Hammond planted a 25-acre vineyard in the late 19th century which was still thriving in 1914.

[17] Viticulture and winemaking activities were wiped out by Prohibition, and vineyards were abandoned or replanted with orchards, most notably walnuts, which remain a key crop in the area.

Some vineyards were replanted starting in the 1970s, and as of 2022 there were about 300 acres (120 ha) planted under vines.

[18] The Upper Lake Valley American Viticultural Area was recognized in 2022.

The early economy of Upper Lake comprised canning beans, growing alfalfa and raising cattle.

In the California State Legislature, Upper Lake is in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Mike McGuire, and in the 4th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.

[5] Benjamin Dewell, a member of the Bear Flag Rebellion, settled in Upper Lake, becoming the first permanent white settler, along with his wife Celia, in 1854.