NEVADA COUNTY

Vacation guide to Truckee, CA featuring hotels, events, weather, real estate and community resources.

Volunteer for the 13th Annual Tahoe Forest Stewardship Day on Sept. 11

Cedar House Sport Hotel of Truckee
The Cedar House Sport Hotel fuses innovative architecture with the best of contemporary design, creating 42 rooms and suites in a hip European style. 10918 Brockway Road, Truckee CA 96161. 1.866.582.5655.

Donner Lake Village Resort
Right on the Lake. Right on the Price.
Donner Lake Village Resort gives you lakeside lodging and a lot more for less. Choose from one and two-bedroom suites, studios and spacious rooms. In summer, enjoy our private beach and marina. In winter, hit the slopes at eight nearby, world-famous resorts. Affordable, accessible, accommodating. At Donner, we're the summit. Reservations 800-621-6664.

Featured Vacation Rentals

Martis Valley Vacation Rentals Offering privately owned condo's and homes in the North Tahoe/Truckee areas of California. Rental units are located at Northstar, Tahoe Donner, Truckee and Donner Lake. Many rentals incl. use of pool tables, saunas, hot tubs, swimming pools and shuttle transportation. 1-800-287-7685 Toll Free ~ or 530-587-4500 info@mvvr.com

Carmel Gallery
Fine Photography & Art
10035 Church St., Historic Downtown Truckee
Located behind the Truckee Hotel. Open 11am to 5pm Thurs-Mon.
530-582-0557
See prints online: www.TheCarmelGallery.com

Lakeside Gallery Gifts
Art Supplies, Classes, Custom framing & Gallery
8636 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, CA
530-546-3135
www.lakesidegallery.com

Tributary Whitewater Tours
Nevada County based outfitter, offering great rafting on the nearby American, Yuba and Truckee Rivers. For all levels, with trips suitable for kids as young as 4-yrs to expert only adventures on Class 5 runs. More than 30 years of safe trips. 530-346-6812 / 800-672-3846 rafting@whitewatertours.com

Sagehen Creek Field Station
Founded in Nevada County in 1951, Sagehen Creek Field Station is a field science research & teaching facility of the University of California at Berkeley. Sagehen offers periodic public events like the Summer Science Speaker Series,community meetings & the well-regarded Adventure-Risk-Challenge high-school outreach program.

Truckee-Donner Chamber of Commerce
Distinctive shops, excellent restaurants, fun bars, cozy inns, all surrounded by beautiful mountains and lakes that provide for a recreational wonderland. 587-2757. www.truckee.com

Truckee Tahoe Airport
Learn to fly, soar a glider, rent a car, charter a flight. 587-4119

Gateway to the Sierra, Truckee is a town which is not only rich in history, but which is undergoing changes to meet the needs of a growing community.

In recent years, the Truckee area has undergone a population explosion. One reason appears to be an influx from the Bay Area by those who have discovered Truckee•s unique lifestyle.

Despite its growth spurt, the town retains its ties with the past, particularly in Old Town centered around Commercial Row and the railroad. Here one finds delightful shops, galleries, a variety of restaurants and pubs, an historic hotel and landmarks that date from the 1860s. To the west is another historic area called Brickletown where older houses and buildings have been turned into interesting retail stores.

The town of Truckee recently completed an update of its historic preservation policies and procedures, and is considering funding some restoration grants in 2005. The town has also been placed on the State Historic Registry and is waiting for the national designation.

One of the area's greatest draws is the abundance of activities available for the outdoor enthusiast. In the summer, you can enjoy fishing, camping, rock climbing, and water sports such as water-skiing, sailing and windsurfing. There is also tennis, golf, horseback riding and mountain biking. Hikers have a number of trails from which to choose, including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail which will take them to mountain meadows filled with wild flowers and breathtaking scenery.

Winter brings snow and lots of it. Near Truckee are a number of first class ski resorts including famed Squaw Valley, site of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Many facilities also include sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding. The season can run from Thanksgiving, or earlier, to May depending on Mother Nature.

Using Truckee as a base, it is a short trip to Reno, Nevada where casinos provide gaming and a wide variety of entertainment. And, your stay should include a day trip around Lake Tahoe for the spectacular scenery.

Even closer is Donner Lake and the rugged peaks of the Sierra Nevada. The lake is not only rich in history and site of an state historic park, but it provides a number of recreational activities based at West End Beach. The High Sierra has been designated one of California's 12 uniquely varied regions with elevations ranging from 5,900 to 9,000 feet.

Despite its growth, Truckee still retains its small town atmosphere. With the Truckee river flowing by and snow capped mountains in view, it provides visitors with its own brand of old west hospitality.