Truckee: Enjoy the Golf, Explore the History |
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| Written by Brandon Underwood Online Editor | |
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Today Truckee, located just west of the Nevada state line, is just another stop along the transcontinental Interstate 80. However, a well-preserved history, vibrant art and festival scene and authentic yet modern restaurants and bars along with a nicely appointed collection of golf courses make it an intriguing destination. The California town is a hotbed for year-round outdoor recreation; the 1960 Winter Olympics in nearby Squaw Valley really put the Truckee-Lake Tahoe area on the map. Three terrific golf courses reside under the umbrella of Tahoe Mountain Resorts: Coyote Moon, Old Greenwood and the private Gray's Crossing. Those still wanting to explore the nearby golf scene can take a short drive north along picturesque Highway 89 and test their golf games at the acclaimed Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club and the one-of-a-kind Plumas Pines Golf Resort. But don't just remember to pack your golf clubs when you head out to Truckee; bring your camera because there is plenty of beautiful scenery to take in and plenty of history to recall. Getting lost never looked so good Under any other circumstances, going eight or nine miles in the wrong direction would have brought me to the point of controlled rage; I like to make it from point A to point B without as much as a U-turn. But on a sun-splashed late spring day in Northern California, a highway misstep helped me experience a historic passage - Historic U.S. Route 40, now part of the Lincoln Highway, which was the first road to cross America. Locally the road is called Donner Pass (el. 7,085 feet), a high mountain pass in the northern Sierra Nevada, located above Donner Lake about nine miles west of Truckee. It's a narrow pass with a very steep approach from the east (direction of Donner Pass Road from downtown Truckee), and a gradual approach from the west. Route 40 merged with the Lincoln Highway in 1913. Lincoln is widely known as the "Father Road" as opposed to the "Mother Road" which is the name given to Route 66 by literary giant John Steinbeck. This transcontinental highway spanned almost 3,400 miles, coast-to-coast, from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states.
From the highway you'll have a spectacular view of Donner
Lake but also a knot in your stomach; this road isn't exactly spacious and
climbs to steep elevations quickly. But if you can just concentrate on the significance
of this historic passage on the way up, you'll be able to make it down without
feeling too nauseous. Tee it up in Truckee The golf courses in the Truckee area are some of the most underrated in all of California. Designers like Jack Nicklaus have taken this stunning terrain and fashioned a number of outstanding and demanding layouts. Most of the courses in the Truckee area are complemented by beautiful resorts so you can always Stay & Play. Designed by former PGA player Brad Bell, this majestic mountain masterpiece is built on 250 secluded acres of rolling terrain that cascades over a beautiful Sierra ridgeline, without a home or structure to spoil the view. Ranked No. 14 among "Places You Can Play" in California by Golfweek magazine, this par-72 course measures just under 7,200 yards and is rated 73.2 Five minutes from Truckee lies Old Greenwood, California's newest Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Situated on 600 acres of forest and meadowland surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the course provides a tranquil setting that looks out on Mount Pluto and blends harmoniously with the natural landscape. The Nicklaus design was recently named one of the "Best Upscale Courses in America" by Golf Digest, and was rated as one of the "10 Best New Public Courses in the Country" by Golf Magazine. From the tips this monster measures over 7,500 yards and is rated 70.8.
Old Greenwood is more than incredible golf; it's also an upscale community replete with opportunities for full- and part-time living. A limited number of the development's 99 home sites are still available for purchase. Ultimately, Old Greenwood is scheduled to include 74-three- and four-bedroom cabins and 100 two- and three-bedroom townhomes that will be part of its co-ownership program. The cabins are beautiful, sit on the golf course and are equipped with every modern amenity imaginable. Inside you'll find beautiful appliances, furnishings and electronics surrounded by high, vaulted ceilings. You'll also have use of a pool table, hot tub and grill. Gray's Crossing (Private) Gray's Crossing is a neighborhood community built around a village featuring cafes and shops and a new private Peter Jacobsen/Jim Hardy 18-hole golf course. The layout of this championship golf course offers five sets of tees with yardage choices from 5,030 to 7,466. This distinctive course has beautiful fairways that weave through their natural surroundings, impeccable greens, water on three holes, subtle elevation changes and expansive views of Mt. Rose and the Sierra Nevada. Carved from the natural terrain of the Mohawk Valley, Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club features emerald green fairways framed with native grasses and a profusion of wildflowers. Golfweek magazine ranked the course No. 11 on its list of "Golf Courses You Can Play" in California. Seven streams - meandering through tall pines, cedars, firs and quaking aspens - create ponds and waterfalls that contribute to the challenge and beauty of the Dick Bailey-designed course. From the championship tees the par-71 course plays 6,983 yards, and with four sets of tees for each hole, golfers of all levels can expect an exhilarating round of golf. Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club, located in Clio, California, is a public golf course with annual memberships available. Designed by Homer Flint in 1980, Plumas Pines Golf Resort is a one-of-a-kind golf course located in the peaceful Northern California country town of Graeagle. The picturesque and challenging course is tucked away in an unspoiled area that is quickly gaining recognition as a golf destination. The par-72 course brings water into play on several holes and is framed by stately pines. One of the most recognizable holes (PICTURED) on the course is nicknamed "Lonesome Cedar" for the lone cedar tree that fronts the green on the frustrating par-3. A high approach shot will carry the tree, but your safest bet is slightly right of the tree. Eat, Drink, Explore Truckee is home to surprisingly chic restaurant and bar scene. A large assortment of eateries can be found on Brockway Road which is a few miles from downtown Truckee off Interstate 80. The ultra-modern Cedar House is a good place to start for appetizers and cocktails before heading to dinner. Fifty Fifty Brewing Company is an ideal place for an evening meal and the restaurant serves seven delicious locally made brews. Be sure to try the Foggy Goggle Belgian White which could be described as a mountain version of Blue Moon. After hours, venture into the historic downtown district for a taste of the Truckee nightlife. Locals all recommended the Bar of America, a Tahoe restaurant that opened its doors in 1974. For three decades this establishment has been the benchmark for Truckee nightlife. Synonymous with great live music, good food and free-flowing libations, the Bar of America has provided a hangout and watering hole for locals and visitors alike. Stay busy year-round Truckee offers easy access to eight world-class ski resorts with outstanding terrain for skiing and snowboarding. There are three cross-country ski resorts with miles of trail and terrains and huts for backcountry ski treks. Other Truckee winter recreation includes snowmobiling, snow shoeing, sledding, sleigh rides and dog sled tours. When the weather warms up, the many nearby lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams are ideal for boating, windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking, swimming and fishing. There are endless trails for biking, mountain biking and horseback riding, with easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail. Donner Summit and surrounding areas are a mecca for rock climbers.
Temperatures during the winter months in Truckee average from 17-42 degrees while summer temperatures average from 40-79 degrees. Average snowfall in Truckee is 206 inches. Getting There Truckee is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Northern California, 200 miles northeast of San Francisco; 100 miles east of Sacramento; 35 miles west of Reno, Nev; and 12 miles north of Lake Tahoe, Calif. From the east or west, Truckee is easily accessible from Interstate 80, while north and south travelers can arrive via Highway 89 and Highway 267. The main airports serving the area are the Reno/Tahoe International Airport in Reno and the Sacramento International Airport, which is 106 miles away. For more information on anything Truckee, call the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Information Center at 1-530-587-2757 or visit them online at www.truckee.com. |
TRUCKEE, California - Famous lawmen killed in furious gunfights, Indian guides
assisting emigrants on their trek west to presumably find wealth and a party of
snowbound settlers forced to wait out a winter so harsh they would resort to
cannibalism - This is the heritage and lure found in historic Truckee.
The Old Greenwood golf facility is also home to a
state-of-the-art golf academy. The Golf Academy at Old Greenwood is led by
director of instruction, Keith Lyford, formerly the head instructor at the
Harmon School. At the heart of the 15-acre facility is a 1,500 square foot golf
school building equipped with video technology to analyze your full swing and a
computerized program to improve your putting stroke.
Plumas Pines Golf
Resort
The town is also home to numerous festivals and events
during the spring and summer months including the Truckee Brew Fest in mid-June
and the Donner Lake International Triathlon in mid-July.
