Dreaming of a White Christmas?

As we get closer to the holiday and ski season, many Bay Area residents will be excited to experience colder winter temperatures outside of the Bay Area. With Lake Tahoe so close, it is easy to enjoy the cold without having to live in it, but, sometimes, it can be hard to reach.

Enjoy the prime ski season in Tahoe for some winter fun! By car, the journey can take anywhere between 4 and 6 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Wherever you are headed in the area, break up the journey with natural scenery and great cuisine! Here are some of our favorite pit stops on the journey.

1. Lake Natoma, Folsom: Located just off Highway 50, Lake Natoma is a great place to stretch your legs and appreciate the Northern California scenery before continuing on your drive. It has restrooms, picnic tables, and is open for boating and water sports.

2. Yankee Jims Bridge, Colfax: Running over the North Fork of the American River, Yankee Jims Bridge is a historic suspension bridge over a famously clear swimming hole. Enjoy the scenery and explore the town of Colfax.

3. Sacramento, California: The capital city of California boasts wonderful cuisine and incredible scenery. Enjoy a meal in the downtown area and visit the state capital building, or venture closer to the American River to enjoy a view.

4. Horsetail Falls, Twin Bridges: Seen from Highway 50, Horsetail Falls is a waterfall in South Tahoe. Go as far as time allows on the 3.1-mile loop surrounding the falls, enjoying the towering granite peaks and famous climbing wall, Lovers Leap.

If you would rather avoid the traffic, take Amtrak’s Zephyr train from Emeryville to Truckee. Commonly referred to as Amtrak’s most beautiful route, the Zephyr will take just under 5 hours and cost around $50 per person. Enjoy the views of the snowy mountainsides and lakes from the comfort of an Amtrak train.

We hope you enjoy the wintertime!