Kal

VERY nice detour, MichelleY....GREAT rest stop over looking Donner Lake.

Tomsd

This thread reads: "Have you been anywhere amazing between Sacramento and Reno?"

I think hiway 49 to the north of Nevada City and along the Yuba River IS amazing and we loved taking a dip in the river.

And if running into traffic along hiway 80 is going to take about 4 hours - what's the difference? One way (49) is beautiful and relaxed - the other bumper to bumper.

Now - if you think calling someone's idea "nutty" is acceptable - that is about typical.

Shanti

I rather like the Murphys idea. But I'd add in Calaveras Big Trees State Park for some hiking. Excellent park. The OP did post that she's up for getting off the main road as long as it doesn't take more than a few hours. According to Mapquest, this adds a couple hours to the trip.

And for a bit more adventure (assuming the OP is ok with narrow, winding roads with some steep sections) they could take highway 4.

It would be helpful to know exactly where they'll be in the Sacramento area.

lynni

Thanks so much for all of these suggestions. I love the Murphy's idea and very much appreciate the advice about getting our of Sacramento either early around 3 or after 6:30 in the evening.

The business meeting is at 1626 North Market Blvd. I don't know Sacramento at all so I don't know what to call the area. I think we will end up just staying in Sacramento on Thursday night and leaving for Reno early afternoon on Friday.

In Reno we're staying at the Peppermill for a few nights while visiting in town with my boyfriends family.

I know the ideas and info you have me will be used on another trip!! Lots of places for me to research!! Thank you all!

janisj

That area is North Natomas (near the Sleep Train Arena) and from there you are very near to I-80 for your get away. There is a lot of freeway construction on that part of I-80 and even early in the afternoon on Fridays the traffic can be tough. So be sure to get on the road by early afternoon at the latest.

Are you staying near there or elsewhere in Sacramento? Your location can make a big difference.

MichelleY

If you leave about 10 Friday morning, you could have lunch in Truckee on your way up to Reno.

MichelleY

If you do stop in Truckee, make sure to go to the historical downtown.

janisj

>>If you do stop in Truckee, make sure to go to the historical downtown.

lynni

Ok, MichelleY and janisj have convinced me! We'll leave in the morning and head for Truckee for a nice lunch in the historical district! Do you two have any favorites?

A quick GTG would have been fun but this trip I will be on someone elses schedule and without my own wheels. Unless you ant to visit me in Reno on Saturday morning at the peppermill, we'll have to to meet another time. ( Or you could alsways let me know when you will be in the Central Coast/Santa Barbara are!)

MichelleY

Humm, Drangonfly was sold and I am not sure what has taken it's place :/. Squeeze Inn, very popular, was on Bobby Flay Throwdown several years ago. Moody's is excellent and very upscale. There are also several coffee shop type places, delis, and Mexican.

http://moodysbistro.com/menu/moodys-bistro-menu.pdf

http://www.squeezein.com

MichelleY

DD is at Cal Poly, so get to SLO often. Only one more year though.

sf7307

There's a new (1 year old) fish market/lobster shop on the street that runs parallel to Main Street in Truckee but on the other side of the tracks (West River St.). Excellent seafood (very good lobster roll). It's called Morgan's - just a couple of seats inside, and an outdoor patio out back.

janisj

>>Unless you ant to visit me in Reno on Saturday morning at the peppermill, we'll have to to meet another time.

rjasnumberonefan

Similar to Gardyloos route (but without the sidetrip to Murphy's adding on extra time) mine is a shorter version. Leave Sacremento and take Hwy 50 to South Lake Tahoe to spend the night. Even leaving at 5pm you'll make it there long before sunset on the lake. Next day you can take hwy 50 up by Cave Rock Tunnel, continue up Hwy 28 driving with lovely blue water leading to the mountains. Take hwy 431, otherwise know as Mount Rose Scenic Hwy into Reno.
Be sure to report back for us whichever route you take. I've only driven through Truckee on the Interstate, but it looked beautiful.

Kal

Hmmmmmm...someone say GTG out of the heat???

Big Squeeze Inn fan but would go to Burger Me in Truckee instead. A Diners, Drive Ins and Dives resto.

We stayed at the Truckee Hotel last year and had a good dinner at Moody's then went across the street to Bar of America for some cocktails.

Love the Truckee area.

sf7307

Burger Me has great burgers. I'm not a huge fan of Moody's but most others are. We like Bar of America for both cocktails and for dinner.

MarcJ55

I drove from San Francisco to Reno last summer, through Sacramento of course. The only thing interested we did (aside from Reno which was a blast) was visit Tahoe.

For me, I'm not a huge fan of Lake Tahoe as a summer-on-the-lake destination. Maybe because I'm from the Pacific Northwest and its not too much different from what I grew up with. But I do enjoy the casino scene in Tahoe. Mind you, if you're going to Reno then there probably isn't much use in making the trek to Tahoe for casinos.

hazel1

There's a fabulous new place in downtown Truckee called Margs Taco Bistro that serves very creative and highly delicious tacos, as well as some salads and other casual fare. Great lunch stop!

Kal

Wish I would have read this yesterday. SIL posted on FB she was eating at Bar of America. She loves her tacos...

lynni

I posted a short trip report! Thanks everyone!