There are staycations, and then there are staycations like the ones residents of Lake Oconee enjoy year-round. Residents who live in wonderful luxury homes on the shoreline of this reservoir in Central Georgia or nearby golf communities enjoy the kind of amenities and attractions that makes life feel like an everyday vacation.
Lake Oconee is a reservoir located in the gently rolling hills about halfway between Atlanta and Augusta. Residents have enjoyed the idyllic lifestyle for decades at Lake Oconee, which was created when Georgia Power finished the Wallace Dam on the Oconee River in 1979.
Lake Oconee real estate is the perfect location for a primary residence for people looking to get away from it all while still being within easy driving distance of big cities, or for a second home that can be used for relaxing vacations during the summer, on weekends throughout the year, and during holidays. The first step to getting into a luxury home on or near the lake is to hire a talented real estate agent who has several years of experience helping clients find that perfect home. Then, it’s time to get out and about and discover how living in Lake Oconee is like an everyday vacation.
The lake
Living in luxury Lake Oconee real estate right on the water will give residents a resort-like feeling. Many large luxury homes are set on big lots surrounded by trees. Most of these homes have private boat docks, so residents can access the water whenever their hearts desire. Once on the water, residents can enjoy boating and jet skiing, waterskiing, tubing, swimming, and fishing. There are miles of coastline to explore, as well as bays, inlets, and islands. There are several parks and recreation areas all along the lake that offer facilities for launching boats, picnicking, camping, and many other activities in the great outdoors.
For those who don’t own their boats, many rental outlets can supply jet skis, water skis, tubes, and all the other equipment that help residents get total enjoyment in the great outdoors. While many residents enjoy going on their own expeditions to fish for plentiful bass, others prefer to hire guides to take them to productive fishing holes in what is considered one of the best lakes for fishing in the South.
Fabulous golf
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Living in Lake Oconee is a golfer’s dream come true. With many courses available, it truly feels like a relaxing vacation. The shining gem is Reynolds Lake Oconee, a major development that features six championship golf courses, including layouts designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. These incredible courses stretch out over some 12,000 acres of forested lakefront property, with many of the fairways offering breathtaking water views.
There’s far more than golf at Reynolds Lake Oconee. There are also wonderful golf course communities with some of the most amazing luxury Lake Oconee real estate in the area. Many of these homes are right on the water and have private boat docks as well as lush, resort-like landscaping. The community offers a wide range of sporting activities, such as boating, a sporting ground for shooting and other activities, tennis, swimming, and a fitness center. There are many options for fine dining and social activities. There’s so much to do that residents don’t have to go far to get the feeling that they are on vacation.
A well-regarded public course is the Harbor Club Lake Oconee in Greensboro. The layout was designed by renowned architects Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf and was honored as Golfweek's third-best course in Georgia in 2016.
Birding and hiking
With so many miles of shoreline and many square miles of adjacent forest land, residents of Lake Oconee have wonderful access to activities like birdwatching, hiking, biking, and running. Among the species of birds in the area are bald eagles, kingfishers, ospreys, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers.
A luxury spa
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Residents who feel like pampering themselves while getting the feeling of being on vacation is to visit the renowned luxury spa at the Ritz-Carlton. This spa is one of the best in the South, offering a wide range of traditional water-themed therapies that use locally cultivated herbs in all its treatments. There is an extensive nail area as well as other services, alongside a 30,000-square-foot retreat with facilities for relaxation that include an indoor pool, cold plunge pools, saunas, steam rooms, and an expanded ladies’ lounge.
Equestrian activities
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Equestrian lovers who live in Lake Oconee homes will find plentiful access to horseback riding. Diamond K Stables in Eatonton offers trail rides and riding lessons on its 115 acres of rolling hills. A great local staycation is to visit the Southern Cross Guest Ranch in Madison, which Travel + Leisure has ranked as one of America’s Best Dude Ranches. It features a bed and breakfast and a horse farm with more than 150 Paint and Quarter horses and a personalized horseback riding program.
Great restaurants
There are many great restaurants in the Lake Oconee area, either right on the water or with awesome water views. They range from fine dining to pizza places and pubs, meaning there’s something for everyone. Popular restaurants include Gaby’s by the Lake at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Oconee Bistro, Linger Longer Steakhouse, and The National Tavern. The Yesterday Cafe in downtown Greensboro offers a menu full of traditional Southern cuisine and has been featured in various magazines, including Southern Living.
Partner with a pro
These are just a handful of the many ways living in Lake Oconee is like an everyday vacation. If you’ve been intrigued by the thought of living in the area, get started today by contacting the local luxury experts at Riezl Baker Real Estate. As an award-winning Realtor®, Riezl’s expertise and marketing savvy will have you in the Lake Oconee home of dreams in no time.
*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock
*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock
