Lake Como advice?!

You have a car, therefore you may not have to be constrained by the availability of ferry service at the location you choose, but I will give you some info below.

The most popular towns are in the mid-lake area, namely Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Cadenabbia, Bellano, Tremezzo, Lenno.

The reason why those are very popular is because they have the most ferry service: car ferry service (only Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Cadenabbia), mid-lake shuttle service (all of the above, but not as many for Bellano), long distance fast boat service Como-Colico-Como and/or long distance Lecco-Bellagio-Lecco. In other words those towns have the highest number of ferries that stop there. Menaggio, Varenna, and Bellagio also have the most activities (like concerts etc. ) and restaurants.

Lezzeno and Torno get only the Como-Colico-Como ferries.
Lierna gets only the Lecco-Bellagio-Lecco service
San Siro I don't think gets any ferry service.

Ferries timetables below:
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/biglietti-e-orari-lago-di-como/

As I said, with a car, you have more mobility than many who rely only on trains (Varenna and Lierna have trains), but so that you know, if you need to go across the lake from where you are, car or not, you need a ferry.

My preference with a car is usually Menaggio, because my wife likes to visit Lugano a lot (in Switzerland) which is only 45 min away. People traveling by train like Varenna a lot, because it has the railway, however both Bellagio and Menaggio are just a short ferry (including car ferry) crossing across the lake.

Your call.

Check your rental agreement - many prohibit taking rental cars on ferries if you are feeling that adventurous.

=Tod

My preference with a car is usually Menaggio, because my wife likes to visit Lugano a lot (in Switzerland) which is only 45 min away.

Roberto, we're thinking we might just take a day trip or two from Lugano to see Lake Como, as we're not really finding accommodations to our liking in the lake towns. Do you think that's a feasible approach? (We won't have a car.)

Thank you for ALL the tips Roberto - very helpful!!

we're thinking we might just take a day trip or two from Lugano to see
Lake Como, as we're not really finding accommodations to our liking in
the lake towns. Do you think that's a feasible approach? (We won't
have a car.)

I find it strange you can't find any accommodations at all anywhere on Lake Como. Did you check on Booking.com or similar website?

You can certainly visit lake Como from Lugano using the C12 bus from Lugano to Menaggio. Obviously you will be constrained by the bus schedule and will not have the same flexibility as you would with your own rental car. Also be aware that hotel (and also restaurant) prices in Lugano (CH) are way higher than on the Italian side of the border, including lake Como, which isn't the cheapest place in Italy for sure.

Bus info below (click on Line C12, under ExtraUrban lines). It’s a one hour journey.
https://www.asfautolinee.it/en

You can also download the timetable in PDF:
https://www.asfautolinee.it/en/routes-and-timetables-in-pdf

Roberto, as we're in Europe for a long time this summer, we're relying on AirBnBs with in-house washing machines. (We've also looked at the other booking sites, with similar results.) And getting one of those around Lake Como has been challenging. We've actually found and booked a great place in Lugano that meets our needs perfectly.

Thanks for the valuable details on bus travel!