Sacramento to Incline Village
 

I recently visited Incline Village for a workshop, and had great advice form this forum. I loved my time in Incline Village and the same workshop is offered next June, so I am going back. We flew into Reno and stayed at the Peppermill. Loved it. Husband is asking about flying into somewhere else, and seeing something different. How is the drive from Sacramento to Incline Village? Is there a lot to see? We loved the drive from Reno to Virginia City, and from Reno to Incline Village via the Mt. Rose hwy. I would be just fine doing Reno and the Peppermill again, but am checking just in case the alternate trip is spectacular. Thanks for any and all suggestions. Also, if we fly into Sacramento, we would be staying the first night there. Any suggestions for a place to stay?

>>How is the drive from Sacramento to Incline Village? <<

Very easy -- but farther the the drive over from Reno of course. The most direct route is I-80 to central Truckee, Hwy 267 from Truckee to the lake, hang a left turn at the signal where hwy 267 dead ends in Kings Beach, and in 5 miles you are in central Incline.

It is open interstate and pretty scenic all the way to Truckee. Truckee is a GREAT place to stop for (depending on you timing) breakfast or lunch.

A slightly even more scenic route is a bit longer -- I-80 to Auburn, north on Hwy 49 to Grass Valley/Nevada City then Hwy 20 east til it meets up w/ I-80 in the mountains at Emigrant Gap and then follow I-80 Truckee/267/Incline.

Sacramento is worth a full day (at least) so you could arrive in the AM, spend the day, and drive up the next morning.

There would be pretty significant traffic issues if you are driving Sacramento to Tahoe on a Friday afternoon and back from Tahoe to SMF on a Sunday. Otherwise it is a beautiful drive.

If you land at SMF, you don't have to go into Sacramento to get to Incline Village. (I wouldn't).
Depending on what time the flight gets in, I'd take I-5 south to I-80 and head for Incline.
If you get in late, try for a place in Auburn.
My favorite lodging in Sacramento is the HI Hostel on the NW corner of 10th & H.

Tom: It seems they actually <i>want</i> to stay in Sacramento.

And staying at the hostel is not at all convenient if you have a rental car. The hostel has very limited parking - otherwise you'd have to either park on the street (not easy) or in a parking garage a few blocks away.

Thanks janisj, I'll look into the two drives. They both sound good. What are your favorite things to do/see in Sacramento? We were thinking of just spending the night there, and then driving out the next morning, but if there are things to do we'd like to experience that as well.
Tom, what is in Auburn that we should see/do?

In Sacramento the short list is the State Capitol, the AMAZING CA State Railroad Museum, The Crocker art gallery -- oldest west of the Mississippi and very good, Old Sacramento and the waterfront. All four of these sites are within 6 blocks or less of each other.

http://inlandpolitics.com/blog/wp-co...te-Capitol.jpg

http://s.hswstatic.com/gif/family-va...ifornia-10.jpg

https://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/m...itCA.jpg?la=en

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...sacramento.jpg

Traffic in Sacramento is bad in the morning and afternoon commute so leaving in the late morning would be better than early AM - even though you'd be driving against the worst morning commute

Auburn is a Gold Rush town 35 minutes east of Sacramento which would be a decent stop if one landed at SMF in the evening and wanted to get out of town and part way to Tahoe. Main attractions are the courthouse and a couple of nice restaurants. Not really a 'destination'. If you were going to do that - then heading up Hwy 49 and staying that night in Nevada City would be more fun. Then Hwy 20 east in the AM.

http://www.strikegoldingrassvalley.c...DavidMcKay.jpg

Thanks, Janis! You've given me lots to think about for this next trip!

Agree with Janisj. Here are some other activities and attractions you can look at if you have time.

http://sachistorymuseum.org/tours/underground-tours/

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=499

The area is so full of history and beautiful landscape.

Thanks, BarbAnn, those look interesting too!