We wanted a place to go back to, year after year, that was family friendly and about simple relaxation. This reminds us of the classic Lake Tahoe, before commercialization and crowds. Donner Lake offers all the typical activities of a lake, yet on a more intimate scale. It is also easier to access since it is closer to San Francisco and the major freeways. We have discovered our year round destination, where gorgeous beauty awaits in all seasons. The snow is pristine and stunning in the winter, with easy access to numerous ski resorts and sledding opportunities. And the sun and lake offer wonderful nature hikes, canoeing, and beach activities in the summer.
Truckee, Calif.
on Donner Lake
Here is an excerpt from an article entitled 8 Perfect Summer Lake Towns in Yahoo Travel by Beth Collins:
This year, skip Lake Tahoe and head 16 miles south to Donner Lake's warmer water temperatures and small-town atmosphere. Originally an Old West town (you can still visit the original 1875 jailhouse), Truckee is a great base for exploring the lake's many outdoor activities—lately, stand-up paddleboarding is the sport of choice. Truckee also has a growing local art scene—a slew of new galleries has opened recently, including Riverside Studios, which sells pottery, jewelry, and clothing made by a collective of area artists, and Carmel Gallery, home to Olof and Elizabeth Carmel's impressionistic prints and photographs. Whatever your plans, carb up first with the All Day Addiction, a concoction of hash browns, avocado, Canadian bacon, and two eggs, at 1940s-style diner Jax at the Tracks. Later, you can relive your adventures over a Base Camp Golden Ale at Fifty Fifty Brewing Co., where all the beers are brewed in-house, and watch the sun set over the water from the redwood deck at Loch Leven Lodge.