Escape the City to North Lake Tahoe Anthony Rojo and Andrew Merritt March 22, 2016 Spread the loveAn Insiderās Guide to Making the Most of Your Weekend Away Written By: Andrew Merritt and Anthony Rojo Escape the City to North Lake Tahoe Photographed By: Andrew Merritt and Anthony Rojo While the waves of the Bay Area are sometimes less appealing than those crashing on southern shores, the draw of the nearby mountains cannot be denied. We all have weekday dreams of escaping, regardless of season, to the shores of Lake Tahoe and its surrounding mountains, but sometimes we need a reminder of how thoroughly transported one can be after a few hours on the road. No security lines, no lost luggage, and definitely no extra-bonus-surcharge for having the gall to bring your own snowboard; just a drive barely long enough to justify a stop at In-N-Out and total stereocontrol from door-to-door. While South Lake is home to all sorts of great activities, food, and nightlife, the north side of Lake Tahoe is a place of solace and tranquility. Now let’s get into it. Youāve only got the weekend, so you need the short list; where to stay, what to do between cocktails, and where to acquire said booze. Plus food, because youāve got to eat. So here it is, your guide to North Lake Tahoe. STAY Hibernate at Sunnyside Youāre only going to have one room for your trip, so this is the most important decision of them all. You need somewhere that can provide the real feeling of escape while still providing all the little comforts that are usually delivered by some app in the city. While options abound, the best is Sunnyside Lodge. Positioned steps from shore, about two miles from Tahoe City, it’s somehow simultaneously calm yet always bustling. While the summer months bring the real crowds, Sunnysideās 22 rooms and two restaurants are full most of the year round. Regardless of the season, thereās plenty to do at the resort; from the myriad water activities based out of their own enormous marina or the lift ticket packages they offer in the winter. Insider Tip: Make sure to request a guest room with a fireplace. Accommodations are quintessential lodge with a range of rooms and suites, all of them including their own private balconies. Thereās no gouging on necessities either, as wifi and breakfast are always included. With your gear safely stashed and your appetite returning, you need go no further than downstairs. While you were checking in and getting settled, the lodge has filled with locals and tourists alike. Youāve got two options; Lakeside Dining Room for a more classy experience or the always humming Mountain Grill. Both feature menus by Executive Chef Robb Wyss that offer all the cravings that seem appropriate in the mountains; from the Durham Ranch elk loin to the Steelhead trout served alongside corn and bacon fritters. Theyāve even got a plethora of meat, gluten, dairy, and nut free options to choose from as well. Not to be outdone by the culinary skills of the kitchen staff, operating partner Jeff āOxā Oxandaboure manages a wine and cocktail program to rival any in the city. Featuring flagship wines from producers like Guigal, Caymus, and Aubert, the list is reasonably heavy on local California regions Napa and Sonoma though it has a surprisingly large number of gems from around the world. The whole program is also available retail, offering guests the ability to grab a great bottle to take on a picnic or simply back to the room. If you make it up on a Thursday, donāt miss Oxās Picks; entrees designed to pair with wines from a featured winery, often poured personally by the winemaker. If cocktails are more your thing, fear not, as Fridays bring Martiniās and Music at the Mountain Grill with serious local musical talent to accompany featured drinks like the Blanhattan, a take on the classic featuring Blantons bourbon, Carpano Antica vermouth, and orange bitters. The food on this side is just as thoughtful with snacks like their famous crispy zucchini sticks and fish tacos. And the best part is, if you have one too many, you just have to make it upstairs! Sunnyside Lodge and Restaurant 1850 West Lake Blvd Tahoe City, CA 96145 530.583.7200 DO Shred at Squaw Valley Ski Resort Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley Ski Resort offers an unrivaled mountain resort experience for everyone. For both skiers and snowboarders, this mountain is first choice for its breathtaking views, versatile terrain, and abundance of bars and restaurants. If riding isnāt your thing, donāt worry there is an array of snow activities and plenty of outdoor fun waiting for you. If this is your first time on the mountain, we recommend hiring a ski instructor to show you around the best parts of the mountain, regardless of your skill level. Ā Ā Squaw Valley Resort 1960 Squaw Valley Rd Olympic Valley, CA 96146 800.402.0206 Ā Break for a Bloody at Sandyās Pub Navigating around the mountain all day can really make you hungry (and thirsty). Check out some spots here at Squaw that will refuel you and leave you more than satisfied. The first mid-morning break should be for an obligatory mountain Bloody Mary at Sandyās Pub. Sandyās Pub is located inside of Squaw Creek Resort and serves a perfectly spicy Bloody Mary to hold you over until youāre ready for lunch at PlumpJack! Sandyās Pub 400 Squaw Creek Rd Olympic Valley, CA 96146 530.581.6617 Nordic Skiing at Tahoe XC Lake Tahoe offers many of outdoor activities and today we scratched a new one off of the list, Nordic Skiing. Visit Tahoe XC for beautiful trails and fun instructors. Whether youāre a beginner on skis or more advanced, there is a perfect trail for every skill level. Nordic skiing is an activity for everyone who wants to get outdoors with family and friends and experience a beautiful day in the snow. Itās a great workout but rest assured, there is a prize for all of your hard work. At Tahoe XC, you will get to see gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe like youāve never seen before. Tahoe XC 925 Country Club Dr. Tahoe City, CA 96145 530.583.5475 Mush Some Sled Dogs at Wilderness Adventures An experience of a lifetime, feel the adrenaline of being pulled by a dozen eager canines led by experienced musher Brian Maas. Get a sense of what the pros at the world famous Iditarod sled race face in a safe environment. The surrounding mountains providing the perfect backdrop for your epic selfie. Wilderness Adventures – Dog Sled Tours 530.426.3840 EAT Navigating the sea of tourist traps and weak food options is one of the trials facing anyone in a new place, but Tahoe has seen a recent uptick in much more legit and highbrow dining options. Snacks and Sandoās at West Shore Market For the more casual meal, there is no better choice than West Shore Market and Deli just steps away from Sunnyside. Re-opened just a few months ago to overwhelming excitement, West Shore has been given much more than a fresh coat of paint; redesigned using upcycled materials like the dock cleats serving as cooler handles. Options arenāt limited to just basic provisions as the well curated market stocks everything from Coolhaus ice cream to Dry Sodaās as well as a fantastic liquor selection. Not content as simply a market, the shop also has a full service barista with pastries and a sandwich counter serving a killer fried chicken sando and a perfectly executed Cubano with marinated ham, bacon, dijon aioli, swiss, and pickles. Beer and wine are available by the glass though if youāre taking your lunch to-go, donāt miss the wine cellar in the back offering a broad range with some great values. West Shore Market & Deli 1780 West Lake Blvd Tahoe City, CA 96145 530.584.2475 Lake Views and Long Islands at Jakeās If youāre looking for spectacular views to accompany your meal, look no further than Jakeās on the Lake. A family owned institution in Tahoe City, theyāll win you over with their broad and well executed menu in addition to their self-described āmountain alohaā hospitality. Nibble on some lamb ribs with honey hoisin and sweet potato fritters or keep it light with their delicious salad of hearts of palm with hazelnuts and a basil vinaigrette. Ā Jakeās On The Lake Boatworks Mall 780 North Lake Tahoe Tahoe City, CA 96145 530.583.0188 Thaw Out After Riding at Plumpjack PlumpJack sits at the base of the beautiful Squaw Village and serves up culinary excellence. Get the PlumpJack burger, itās melt in your mouth good and will leave you wanting to order another. The esteemed wine program runs deep and staff has the knowledge to back it up; plus the Plumpjack tradition of minimal markups. This place also serves up some great tasting liquid courage cocktails to help you shred on the mountain and give you fuel for the rest of the day. Plumpjack Squaw Valley 1920 Squaw Valley Inn Olympic Valley, CA 96146 530.583.1576 DRINK Find Some Refreshment at Pete nā Peterās There are certainly no shortage of watering holes surrounding the largest alpine lake in North America, but some shine brightest. If youāre like me and enjoy activities with your libations, look no further than Pete nā Peters in Tahoe City for darts, shuffleboard, Golden Tee, and two pool tables. Add to that the multiple big screens playing any game you could hope to watch and bargain prices and youāve got the perfect spot to nurse your sore hamstrings. Pete n’ Peterās 365 North Lake Tahoe Blvd Tahoe City, CA 96145 530.583.2400 Hang With the Locals at the BridgeTender A Tahoe City classic since 1977, the BridgeTender is where the staff from all the above places go to let go. A great selection of beer and strong pours match their well deserved reputation for enormous portions of classic drinking foods. Their burgers are some of the best around and you can opt to go with the waffle fries or tots supplement. Lesser known is their solid breakfast menu featuring a breakfast sammy, biscuits and gravy, or just a 24oz Olympia and two strips of bacon for $5. The obvious choice to go with breakfast is their Bloody Mary with all the standard garnishes and the added bonus of bacon or shrimp. No matter what you choose, youāll feel fully justified after youāve burned thousands of calories on the the mountain all day. BridgeTender 65 West Lake Blvd. Tahoe City, CA 96145 530.583.3342