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Town in California, United States
Photo: Finetooth, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Truckee is a pleasant town of 17,000 people (2019) in the Lake Tahoe region of California. Just east of the Donner Pass on Interstate 80, Truckee is an easy entry point for travelers from the Bay Area to the region.
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Site of the end times for the ill-fated California bound pioneer party of 1846 that resorted to cannibalism after becoming snowbound. You can camp here yourself, in 154 sites with picnic tables. Do bring food, but store it in provided lockers to protect from bears.
Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, geocaching, ice skating, and wine tasting.
Outstanding local microbrewery with a large menu and live entertainment.
Housemade breads, huge sandwiches, fresh soup, housebaked goods, full espresso bar, local favorite.
Pricey, but delicious sustainable food in an elegant setting.
Hilltop Lodge
Cottonwood has been a fixture of Truckee's vibrant dining scene for 25 years. Housed in a historical ski lodge, constructed in 1928 to serve as a warming hut for the town of Truckee's ski and toboggan hill, the restaurant is a virtual museum of historic photos and artifacts. With spectacular views of downtown Truckee from the Dining Room or expansive Deck, Cottonwood has a diverse menu that consists of an eclectic menu of steaks, pastas, seafood and vegetarian dishes using fresh organic produce and sustainable meats and seafood whenever possible, complemented by a full bar and adventuresome wine list. Home to a vibrant acoustic music scene, Cottonwood features free live music every Thursday and Friday nights, and features a nightly Happy Hour until 6pm. Groups and special events are welcome.
Cozy restaurant with an extensive menu of sandwiches, omelets, and other American food for breakfast and lunch. Good atmosphere, and the walls are covered with signatures from previous guests. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options available.
Fun women's clothing and home furnishings.
Ski, snowboard, snow shoes, cross-country ski and snow clothing rentals. Multiple locations in the north Lake Tahoe area.
Ski, ski boots, apparel, race gear, and a full-service ski tune and boot fitting back shop.
Souvenirs, games, old-fashioned candy, and very fun toys for kids.
Fudge, caramel apples, truffles, and other candy.
By plane
Truckee has an airport. Other than Surf Air and charter flights, it does not offer commercial scheduled flights in or out.
By train
Amtrak has one daily train to Truckee in each direction on its California Zephyr service between San Francisco (Emeryville) and Chicago.
There is a free public bus, operated by neighboring Placer County, California; it connects the Truckee train station to the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, and a second goes to Incline Village, Nevada.
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Truckee · Regional · TKF
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