Well that weekend flew by.
Seriously, try harder nature.
We headed up to Tahoe just in time for a ridiculous snow storm to hit: 20"+ in 24 hours.
OH HELLO FRESH POWDER.
(PS - I skied that bowl on the top left. NBD. Watch out Johnny Moseley.)
We're incredibly lucky to be able to shoot up to Tahoe whenever desire (or snow) hits - my family has a home in the mountains and every year for Christmas, Squaw-Alpine season passes happen. Literally the only other thing that's ever on my list is a puppy. We're 1-for-2 year after year after year.
SANTA ARE YOU LISTENING?
Anyway, since it's an El Nino year and everyone is heading to Tahoe, I thought I'd start a series called "Like A Local" and share local recommendations for the Bay Area... and beyond so that you don't get stuck eating a $17 bread bowl at Boudin in Fisherman's Wharf. Or worse, at Harrah's in South Shore drinking a yard-long drink.
Since I'm most familiar with the Truckee area, that's where we'll focus.
EATS
- Truckee Tavern - great vibe, great burgers.
- Pianeta - a bit more upscale Italian. Great date night spot.
- Lodge at Tahoe Donner - love it here - there's a bar for casual dining and a dining room for a full meal experience. They change their specials seasonally and it's always excellent. Get the fish tacos in the summertime.
- Cottonwood - great restaurant in downtown Truckee
- Moody's Bistro - grab a seat at one of the fire pits outside for a little apres ski.
- Full Belly Deli - great spot for wraps and sandwiches. Go to yoga, grab a juice at The Mill, then get a sandwich to go for the slopes or the lake.
- Morgan's Lobster Shack - Fresh from New England they KNOW how to do fish. Choose your fish, how you'd like it cooked, your seasoning, and how you want to eat it (sandwich, wrap, green salad). Always go Lobster Roll.
- The Mill - Obsessed with their juice, cold brew, and acai bowls. I like to pop in after yoga at Yoga Studio Tahoe for breakfast.
- Burger Me - Everything is locally grown and delivered fresh daily. No gluten, hormones or antibiotics, ever. Choose from beef, bison, chicken, turkey, ahi, or veggie. And always go for the sweet potato fries.
- Fifty Fifty Brewing Company - Great brewery for post-mountain drinks and food (salads, pizzas, entrees, sandwiches, the works). Just imagine an ice cold pint of beer with the toasted pretzel rolls. Hungry yet?
- Coffeebar - Obsessed with their almond milk lattes and gluten free muffins and cookies. Obsessed.
- Wild Cherries - a local coffeehouse favorite. Great coffee and breakfast. Get there early - it gets packed!
SKI
- Sugarbowl - the closest mountain to downtown Truckee/Donner. Great terrain, all-levels, and a smaller, local feel. It fills up early after a big snowfall so get there early to snag a parking spot and a lift ticket.
- Squaw Valley (Tahoe City) - my favorite mountain. Feels quintessentially Tahoe to me. TONS of runs from greens to double blacks with several bowls and off-piste skiing. Great village with great restaurants and bars for apres ski and if you need a place to crash - The Resort at Squaw Creek and Plumpjack Inn (great restaurant and wine list!) are right at the base of the mountain.
- Alpine Meadows (Tahoe City) - sister resort to Squaw (your season pass or lift ticket works at both) AND next season rumor has it there will be a chair lift to connect the two. #fingerscrossed
- Northstar - a bit bougier of a mountain/village - there's a Ritz Carlton on-site, and a gorgeous, up-scale village. Where I learned how to ski and snowboard.
- Tahoe Donner Cross-Country - home of the best cross-country trails and terrain in Tahoe. The cross-country center is brand new - a great way to get outside and get a workout in!
SUMMER
- Donner Lake - smaller than Lake Tahoe but gorgeous, and a great spot for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and boating.
- Hiking - we love the Shirley Lake hike at Squaw - hike all the way up to High Camp then take the trolley back down to the village. There are also a ton of hiking trails at Tahoe Donner.
- Golf - Tahoe Donner and Coyote Moon are two great courses.
- Raft the Truckee River - A great way to spend an afternoon. End at the River Ranch for drinks and food. Or you can do as the college crowd does and booze the entire way down the river. I prefer the former at the Ranch.
YOGA
- Yoga Studio Tahoe - a great bhakti flow (vinyasa) style class (60 or 75 minutes) and a great apres-ski flow after a long day on the slopes. Gorgeous studio that holds some great special events throughout the year too.
There ya have it. Did I miss anything? Any Truckee favorites?