There’s a distinct way the hectic pace of life relaxes its grip as you get closer to the small mountain community of Truckee in the Lake Tahoe area. You can find opportunities to reconnect at North America's largest alpine lake, basking in the pristine natural surroundings.

Your activities depend on the time of year you visit. Summer offers sandy beaches and hiking trails. Winter brings perfect powder for skiing in the majestic mountains. No matter when you go or what you do, fun adventures are in store.*

The main stretch of historic downtown Truckee, built along a railroad track in the late 1800s, mixes a rustic Old West spirit with a modern collection of homegrown restaurants and shops.

For breakfast, try a hearty omelet, breakfast burrito, or pancakes at Squeeze In and have lunch at the simply named “Coffee And” which offers items like a French dip sandwich and chicken tostado salad. Come evening, a prix fixe dinner prepared with organic ingredients at the upscale Trokay might include dishes like a tomato-fennel-saffron bisque, locally sourced trout, and tempura soft shell crab. 

Have cocktails or a meal at Cottonwood Restaurant and Bar on its hillside perch and soak up the views and mountain-fresh air. At the Truckee-Tahoe Airport, Red Truck* serves affordable comfort food with a subtle Indian twist. Sample craft brews in an outdoor beer garden open year-round at Alibi Ale Works*. Or head to Uncorked, a wine bar with a nicely curated menu of California and imported bottles.

Downtown also features a selection of shops and boutiques, including Riverside Studios for locally handcrafted items, Grizzly Menswear for outdoorsy clothes and accessories, and Nomad, known for its selection of Boho-chic women's wear.

Learn all about Truckee with a visit to the Old Jail Museum. It features exhibits on the lumber and ice industries, local Washoe Indians, and the early film industry. During that time, filmmakers shot movies like Charlie Chaplin’s classic, The Gold Rush, in and around the town.

The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion is the premier attraction at Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, with a serene setting on the west side of Lake Tahoe about 25 miles from Truckee. Formerly a summer home for a banking executive, the mansion reflects an era when San Francisco’s elite would visit Lake Tahoe to access a relatively undeveloped vacation destination.

The summer home, built with local materials in the early 20th century, is immaculately preserved with furniture and fixtures from the 1930s. Knowledgeable guides lead tours with a genuine appreciation for the residence. An outdoor deck extends into the water and is a favorite photo spot. The park remains open throughout the year, even during winter, but spring and summer is the best time to appreciate the scenery, with wildflowers blooming by a nearby stream.

Get another glimpse of a bygone era at Thunderbird Lodge, a beautifully designed lake home about 25 miles south of Truckee that dates to the 1930s. Commissioned by San Francisco tycoon George Whittell, the mansion is a striking example of Scandinavian architecture, boasting a bold stone exterior and indoor wooden features carved by hand. You can book a private tour and get an up-close look at the secret passages and tunnels inside the home. Some believe the property is haunted, and you may hear a few ghost stories.

The lodge is also home to the Thunderbird Yacht, one of the most famous wooden speed boats in the world. The vessel was commissioned by Whittell in 1940 and later sold to casino magnate William F. Harrah, who used it to entertain celebrities and entertainers like Frank Sinatra; Sammy Davis, Jr.; Tony Bennett; and Liza Minnelli. 

Reservations are required to visit the lodge.

Sand Harbor is the crown jewel of Lake Tahoe, Nevada State Park. About 22 miles south of Truckee near the Incline Village community, the public beach has eye-catching, cream-colored sand and crystal-blue waters that make it a favorite of swimmers, boaters, and divers alike. The water wraps around the coastline with unique rock formations and pine trees all around. You're guaranteed a great photo from any vantage point.

The beach gets busy during the summer, especially during the annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, held from late June through August, so plan your visit accordingly. To avoid the competition for parking spaces, rent a bike and enjoy the ride between Incline Village and Sand Harbor along the 3-mile Lake Tahoe East Shore Trail with unobstructed views of the lake. 

Did you know there are a pair of smaller lakes to the east of Lake Tahoe? Spooner Lake is a man-made reservoir about 60 miles from Truckee. It’s the ideal location for a scenic day trip and a perfect way to experience the region’s wilderness in a more remote setting. It’s a popular spot for fishing and hiking. Choose from multiple trails for hikers of different abilities, including a portion of the rugged American Discovery Trail. Or explore the area on bike or horseback.

Book your vacation and stay at either Northstar Lodge or One Village Place Residences.

Enticing amenities and activities await at both resorts.
 

Go on a mindfulness hike and enjoy jaw-dropping views of the Tahoe area. Or join the daily ritual, where you’ll learn about local history and culture, such as the folklore of Tahoe Tessie, Lake Tahoe’s mystery monster.

Enjoy access to Village Swim and Fitness Center.** It’s equipped with an outdoor heated Olympic-sized pool, kids’ pool, large hot tub, and state-of-the-art fitness center.

Each resort has unique features, too. 

• 3 hot tubs
• 19-seat movie theater with leather recliners, HD projector, and surround sound
• Activity center with escape room
• Ski valet 
• Ski in/ski out with direct access to Highlands Gondola (operated by a third party)
   

Visit The Lounge to see complete details for each resort and book your vacation.

* No inquiry has been made into the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, or the qualifications, safety, or quality of the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, and WHV Resort Group, Inc. and HV Global Group, Inc. (collectively, “HVC”) make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, or any other aspect of such off-site locations, activities, events, or service providers listed herein. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the off-site locations, activities, services, events, or providers. Neither WHV Resort Group, Inc. nor HV Global Group, Inc. assumes liability for attendance at, or visits to, any off-site locations, or the products, activities, or services furnished by independent service providers. Additional fees and costs may apply. Activities and events are subject to change. Some activities or events may require the participant to be in good health and have a certain level of skill.

** Operated by a third party. Access and use are subject to change and may terminate without notice.