Post # 1
Member
25 posts
Newbee
We were gifted with a week at a timeshare for our honeymoon in December. One of the few places available is in Reno. So our plan is to stay there for Sunday – check out on Saturday and then spend one night and the next day somewhere else in California.
Any tips on Reno or Tahoe? Any places to stop between Reno and San Francisco? Or somewhere else cool we can visit in the area?
I’d love restaurant advice, ski tips, (I’ve never seen snow!) etc. I know you guys will help!
Post # 3
Member
7082 posts
Busy Beekeeper
If you are in Reno, then you should definitely go to the resorts on the North Lake Tahoe side if you are interested in skiing. Mt. Rose is closest to Reno. Otherwise, you can go to Northstar, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley or Sugar Bowl. Sugar Bowl is where I used to work, so though smaller, its also more homey.
We got to all you can eat sushi a lot in Reno. They have the fish flown in daily and its very good. We usually go to Sushi Pier or Sushi Club.
Victoria Square is pretty cool. There are some good restaurants there and a decent brew pub (fiance says).
We usually only go to Reno to buy supplies in the winter. (Costco, Trader Joe’s, REI, Sierra Trading Post)
I rarely eat upscale in Tahoe, since it is so pricey and full of tourists, but if I was going to, I might go to Plumpjack’s at Squaw, Moody’s in Truckee or Pianetta in Truckee.
In between Reno and San Francisco, I’m usually trying to get where I’m going… There’s the Empire Mine in Grass Valley, but December is the wrong time to go.
Hope this helps.
Post # 4
Member
25 posts
Newbee
Thanks doctorgirl! We really won ‘t be wanting to go too upscale since we are on a budget but I am sure we will have at least one good fancy dinner while we are there.
Any other good local tips?
Post # 5
Member
735 posts
Busy bee
If you can, yosmite is near by and BEAUTIFUL in the winter. (think ansel adams, http://www.anseladams.com/ )
We are also honeymooning in the general area in January. (road trip from L.A. up through napa then to yosmite)
I’ll keep you in mind while we are planning our trip since its the same tiem frame and location.
We ordered a bunch of california books off amazon. I would strongly suggest taking a look at the "california for dummies" book. It has tons of rec’s for all budgets.
good luck!
Post # 6
Member
7082 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I don’t think of Yosemite as very close to Reno. With snow its at least a 4 hour drive (one of the passes is closed during the winter)… but it is beautiful. Denfinitely not a day trip though!
Post # 7
Member
735 posts
Busy bee
yeah doctorgirl is right, it is a bit far… i’m thinking of where my dad lives (which is like an hour and a half outside reno.. ) Sorry!
Post # 8
Member
25 posts
Newbee
Thanks ladies! We will check out the book too.
I’m getting excited. I’ve never seen snow (a true Florida native) so I don’t know if I will like skiing, but I think we will have fun!
Post # 9
Member
218 posts
Helper bee
just becareful driving b/c it’s slippery and wet, and check the weather before you decide to leave the area since sometimes the roads are closed from reno to SF (rarely this happens, but it happens).
Post # 10
Member
25 posts
Newbee
Anyone else have some advice? Any tips on snow gear? Living in Florida we will have to start from scratch and make some purchases soon. I’m so excited!
Post # 11
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
I totally agree with the above. If you are unfamiliar with driving in wet/snowy conditions, it is best to stay on the main freeways. It would ruin your honeymoon if you were involved in an accident 
I grew up in Grass Valley and now live in San Francisco, so I am very familiar with both Reno/Tahoe and SF. Unless you and your fiance are the outdoors type, I would suggest getting to SF ASAP and do the Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Golden Gate Bridge thing. There are a ton of great restaurants–a couple that may fit in your budget are SPQR and Nopa, in the Lower Fillmore and Mission Districts respectively. Both are tapas style (small plates) and the best food I have had here. Save your money to eat out in SF…it is completely worth it!!
If you are the outdoorsie type I would suggest stopping in Grass Valley, or even Nevada City would be a better option. Both are super historic with a lot of cute shops, all set in the mountains. Again, you may want to bypass because Hwy 20 is a smaller, windy road that can be dangerous if conditions are bad. There isn’t too much to do other than eat lunch or breakfast. Wouldn’t spend more than a few hours here because there is so much to see in SF!
I recommend Sugar Bowl too. Great resort. Lift tickets and equipment rentals are pricey..expect to dish out a few hundred b/w you and your fiance to ski/snowboard. But really, how can you be in Tahoe and not ski?? It would be like me going to Florida and not going to the beach.
Never been to Florida….
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