Heather’s guidebook
My favorite restaurants
These are my favorite spots for dining in Truckee. I hope you like them too!
Cottonwood restaurant is located atop a hill overlooking Historic Downtown Truckee. It's a bar and grill housed in the Lodge of one of the very first ski resorts in North America.
132 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar
10142 Rue HilltopCottonwood restaurant is located atop a hill overlooking Historic Downtown Truckee. It's a bar and grill housed in the Lodge of one of the very first ski resorts in North America.
Moody's located right downtown Truckee is a great upscale place to dine. On weekends, Moody's host jazz bands and is a lively spot to have a beverage with friends.
195 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Moody's Bistro Bar & Beats
10007 Bridge StMoody's located right downtown Truckee is a great upscale place to dine. On weekends, Moody's host jazz bands and is a lively spot to have a beverage with friends.
Old Town Tap has a great urban ambiance which is backed up by excellent food. Try the mushroom pizza, kale salad, and fried cheese curds.
100 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old Town Tap
10164 Donner Pass RdOld Town Tap has a great urban ambiance which is backed up by excellent food. Try the mushroom pizza, kale salad, and fried cheese curds.
Believe it or not, this restaurant is located in the Truckee Airport. They serve breakfast and lunch only. The kids love watching the planes land from the playground while they wait for their Naan Dog. Try the Indian Bowl with pork asana.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Red Truck
10356 Truckee Airport RdBelieve it or not, this restaurant is located in the Truckee Airport. They serve breakfast and lunch only. The kids love watching the planes land from the playground while they wait for their Naan Dog. Try the Indian Bowl with pork asana.
Pianetta has superb Italian food, but you'll need a reservation during most times of the year. For an appetizer - the fresh Caprese is amazing. You really can't go wrong with their house-made pasts. Pianetta is best for adult groups or date nights
134 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pianeta
10096 Donner Pass RdPianetta has superb Italian food, but you'll need a reservation during most times of the year. For an appetizer - the fresh Caprese is amazing. You really can't go wrong with their house-made pasts. Pianetta is best for adult groups or date nights
CoffeeBar has a great breakfast and lunch menu. It's not a sit-down and order spot, it's very casual. I love the avocado toast and the Quinoa bowl. I usually get an oatmilk latte too.
121 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Coffeebar Truckee
10120 Jibboom StCoffeeBar has a great breakfast and lunch menu. It's not a sit-down and order spot, it's very casual. I love the avocado toast and the Quinoa bowl. I usually get an oatmilk latte too.
A public beach on Donner Lake where you can catch some sun while a lifeguard is on duty. You'll also find playground equipment, snack shack, sand volleyball and basketball.(peak summer months only)
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa West End
15888 S Shore DrA public beach on Donner Lake where you can catch some sun while a lifeguard is on duty. You'll also find playground equipment, snack shack, sand volleyball and basketball.(peak summer months only)
A float down the Truckee river is such fun! It's more of a scenic float for all ages. I love this activity, it takes 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Call 530-583-1111 to make sure they are running - it's only open when the river is at safe levels. (mid-late-summer)
124 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Truckee River Raft Co.
185 W River RdA float down the Truckee river is such fun! It's more of a scenic float for all ages. I love this activity, it takes 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Call 530-583-1111 to make sure they are running - it's only open when the river is at safe levels. (mid-late-summer)
Summer Activities
Hiking, water activities and festivals!
Castle Peak is a 6-mile out and back hike with great views. I like that it's versitile, depending in where you park. It's called one of the easiest altitude peaks (9100') to hike in the Tahoe area, but you might still want to call this hike difficult - its steep!!
As you approach Donner Pass on I-80, you can't miss Castle Peak on the left.
To get to the trailhead, take the Boreal/Castle Peak exit (between Soda Springs and Donner Lake.) Turn left off the exit, and for the most adventurous find a place to park here where the pavement road ends. If you have a 4WD with high clearance, I recommend following the dirt road to shorten the hike by a mile or so.
If you've parked at the bottom, start the hike by following the dirt road. The dirt road ends at a junction with the PCT, hike towards your right and follow the ridgeline up to Castle Peak.
From the ridgeline you look to your left (north) and see a beautiful green valley and ahead and to the right you can see your destination. Simply follow the well defined trail to the top. The climb gets quite steep (1300' gain, mostly in the last 2 miles) and hiking poles can be useful in the loose rocks and dirt.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Castle Peak
Castle Peak is a 6-mile out and back hike with great views. I like that it's versitile, depending in where you park. It's called one of the easiest altitude peaks (9100') to hike in the Tahoe area, but you might still want to call this hike difficult - its steep!!
As you approach Donner Pass on I-80, you can't miss Castle Peak on the left.
To get to the trailhead, take the Boreal/Castle Peak exit (between Soda Springs and Donner Lake.) Turn left off the exit, and for the most adventurous find a place to park here where the pavement road ends. If you have a 4WD with high clearance, I recommend following the dirt road to shorten the hike by a mile or so.
If you've parked at the bottom, start the hike by following the dirt road. The dirt road ends at a junction with the PCT, hike towards your right and follow the ridgeline up to Castle Peak.
From the ridgeline you look to your left (north) and see a beautiful green valley and ahead and to the right you can see your destination. Simply follow the well defined trail to the top. The climb gets quite steep (1300' gain, mostly in the last 2 miles) and hiking poles can be useful in the loose rocks and dirt.
The section of the PCT trail that I recommend is easy for all ages. You'll see the China Wall, abandoned train tunnels, beautiful graffiti and petroglyphs. There's a loop hike you can do if you're ready for more fun after exploring the area. I like to park at Sugar Bowl Academy up Old HIghway 40.
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pacific Crest Trail
The section of the PCT trail that I recommend is easy for all ages. You'll see the China Wall, abandoned train tunnels, beautiful graffiti and petroglyphs. There's a loop hike you can do if you're ready for more fun after exploring the area. I like to park at Sugar Bowl Academy up Old HIghway 40.
Eagle Falls is a great hike if you want to do an adventurous day trip that involves a drive halfway around majestic Lake Tahoe. The drive is an hour from Truckee, the hike itself is only 1.8 miles but can be heavily trafficked. You'll be rewarded by picturesque views, two lakes and a waterfall.
We like to pick up sandwiches at West Shore Market or Obexer's on the way.
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Eagle Falls Trailhead
Eagle Falls is a great hike if you want to do an adventurous day trip that involves a drive halfway around majestic Lake Tahoe. The drive is an hour from Truckee, the hike itself is only 1.8 miles but can be heavily trafficked. You'll be rewarded by picturesque views, two lakes and a waterfall.
We like to pick up sandwiches at West Shore Market or Obexer's on the way.
Donner is just beautiful - a great lake to create family memories. Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding - it's all right there awaiting your arrival. Public piers are available first-come-first-serve, and are lovely for tanning and fishing.
157 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Donner Lake
Donner is just beautiful - a great lake to create family memories. Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding - it's all right there awaiting your arrival. Public piers are available first-come-first-serve, and are lovely for tanning and fishing.
Sand Harbor is arguably the most scenic beach in all of the Tahoe Area. You'll see carribean- blue waters and submerged granite boulders the size of a whale, and fine sandy beaches. Go early! The parking lot will get full around 10am if its a busy summer weekend.
69 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sand Harbor
2005 Nevada 28Sand Harbor is arguably the most scenic beach in all of the Tahoe Area. You'll see carribean- blue waters and submerged granite boulders the size of a whale, and fine sandy beaches. Go early! The parking lot will get full around 10am if its a busy summer weekend.
Head to town for shopping, dinner or drinks. During our peak summer months Truckee Thursday street festival is each Thursday night and has local vendors, food trucks, live music and artists. Shuttle transportation is avalible from most neighborhoods, check the Town of Truckee website to find the bus stop nearest you.
81 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Historic Downtown Truckee & Visitor Center
10065 Donner Pass RdHead to town for shopping, dinner or drinks. During our peak summer months Truckee Thursday street festival is each Thursday night and has local vendors, food trucks, live music and artists. Shuttle transportation is avalible from most neighborhoods, check the Town of Truckee website to find the bus stop nearest you.
A great park to bring the kids. Swings, monkeybars, slides - you name it. There's even a working mini-train to ride (train is usually open only Saturdays)
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Truckee River Regional Park
10500 Brockway RdA great park to bring the kids. Swings, monkeybars, slides - you name it. There's even a working mini-train to ride (train is usually open only Saturdays)