Tours : Reno/Lake Tahoe: The Art of Nature

Since man first discovered the high desert oasis of Lake Tahoe and the Truckee Meadows on the morning side of the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountains, it has been a special place. Today the Reno/Tahoe area is filled with endless sights and diversions, combining cultural diversity with the area's natural scenic beauty.

Reno has long been known for a cultural scene the envy of much larger communities. The brand new Nevada Museum of Art, a 60,000 square foot, 4-story tribute to the arts, was completed in May of 2003. The museum will feature exhibits in the years to come of everything from Rembrandt to Rodin, and Rivera to Chihuly. It contains meeting and educational rooms, a restaurant and a rooftop terrace. In addition to the museum of art, there are a number of fine art galleries throughout the area that feature a variety of artists and media.

But visual art is only part of the area's cultural landscape. The Nevada Opera Company is one of the oldest continually functioning organizations of its kind on the west coast. The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra has been acclaimed as one of the most talented and successful symphonies around. And the Reno Chamber Orchestra has developed a reputation of its own over the years, as it continues to please its fans with a number of annual performances.

Each year, for the full month of July, Artown is a tribute to the area's arts and culture. Artown's exhibits, performances and special events are a "must see" for local residents and tourists alike.

Downtown Reno is the location of a unique piece of art: The National Bowling Stadium. It was built in the mid-1990’s to host the American Bowling Congress’ men’s and women’s national tournaments. The lanes feature the largest video wall in the world that acts as the center's scoreboard, automatically computing each player's score in each lane. The 80-lane facility also boasts an I-Max theater and a variety of retail shops.

Another artful product of the downtown core is the National Automobile Museum. Located across from the Siena Hotel at the corner of Mill and Lake Streets, the museum was opened in 1989 to house the William F. Harrah Collection of more than 200 antique, classic and celebrity cars. One of its prize possessions is the 1907 Thomas Flyer, the actual car that won the New York to Paris auto race in 1908. Designed around five galleries, each depicting a different era, the museum is also home to the world's most complete automotive library.

Popular art has had many contributions from northern Nevada as well. Consider the successful 1960's television program, Bonanza, the home of Ben Cartwright and his three sons on the shores of Lake Tahoe. The Cartwrights frequently made the ride into Virginia City. But when you consider they had to traverse not one, but two, mountain ranges to make the trip, you have to appreciate the poetic license taken by the show. But it made for good entertainment, and it made Virginia City and the historic Ponderosa Ranch a must-see. Virginia City is located on the eastern slope of Sun Mountain, about a half-hour drive up breathtaking Geiger Grade from Reno. And the mythical Ponderosa Ranch is situated on the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe, a scenic one-hour drive from Reno.

From 1860 to about 1885 Virginia City was the largest city in Nevada, and was without doubt one of the brightest spots between Denver and San Francisco. For a time Sam Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, worked in Virginia City for the Territorial Enterprise, and became known throughout the country. Virginia City’s mines supplied silver to the Union and, in return, President Lincoln encouraged legislation that made Nevada a state in 1865. Today, remnants of the cultural activities that came to Virginia City in its heyday are still on display.

Heading south on Highway 395 from Reno will take you through historic Washoe Valley to Nevada’s capitol city, Carson City. One must-see is the Nevada State Museum. Originally this building was a United States Mint and produced nearly $50 million in coins before being shuttered in 1933. There is also the State Railroad Museum, at the south end of the city. The old V&T (Virginia & Truckee) steam engine is on display, restored and polished and probably in better shape than when it made the daily climb from Carson City to Virginia City in the late 1880’s.

Continuing south on 395 out of Carson City will bring two options to the traveler. Option one would be to continue south across Highway 50 about a mile to Jack’s Valley Road, through a beautiful valley to the town of Genoa (pronounced GenOa). Genoa was originally known as Mormon Station and was a Pony Express stop on the trail from Sacramento to St. Louis. It was also the territorial capitol until 1861. Genoa remains a delightful stop to browse along the main street, and to stop in the oldest bar in Nevada that is still doing a brisk business.

Now, for option two. As you depart Carson City on 395 to the south, take Highway 50 up over Spooner Summit to the south shore of Lake Tahoe. The lake is approximately 27 miles long and 12 miles wide. It is divided by the state lines of California and Nevada, with about two-thirds in California. The north shore is more rustic and less populated, while the south shore tends to be more urban at the state line where several of the larger hotel casinos are located on the Nevada side. You’ll see many of the venerable old homes that were built in the 1920’s and 30’s situated on the west shore. The east shore of the lake is largely as it has always been: natural in its forested state with little inroads by civilization.

But back to the south shore. Once Highway 50 reaches the lake, turn left and the first community of any size will be Zephyr Cove. It’s a popular spot for camping, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, snowmobiling and just enjoying the magic of the moment. It’s also the home of the paddle-wheeler M.S. Dixie. The Dixie makes the run from Zephyr Cove to Emerald Bay and back several times each day during the summer months.

Continuing on Highway 50 the drive is short to the community of Stateline, aptly named because it abuts the California and Nevada state lines. Here are the major hotel/casino properties that overlook one of the largest Alpine lakes in the world. Recreation abounds in the form of snowboarding or downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter, and in the summer all the water sports you might think of. There are also hiking, biking and horse trails, outstanding golf courses, and, of course shopping. One notable site is the Edgewood Golf Course, which is located on the property that in the 1800’s was known as Friday’s Station, another supply point for the Pony Express.

Just over the state line is the Heavenly Valley ski area, which is a destination almost unto itself. There are shops and restaurants, a new 750 room hotel and a Gondola that takes you to the top of the mountain for spectacular views of all of Lake Tahoe. And beyond that is a strip of commercial activity that stretches for several miles along the south shore until the “Y” is reached. This is where you either go left and follow Highway 50 away from the lake and toward Sacramento, or turn right and follow the road the rest of the way around to the west shore until you reach Tahoe City on the northwest.

If you’ve chosen the latter route to Tahoe City (depending on snowfall, can be closed during the winter), it’s an easy drive down the mountain on Highway 89 toward Truckee where you will pass Squaw Valley, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Retained as an outstanding ski venue, Squaw Valley is also the home to new condominium and retail development. And, of course, the Resort At Squaw Creek, an outstanding upscale hotel complete with a challenging 18-hole championship golf course and an on-property ski lift taking you to the top of Squaw Valley.

Staying on Highway 89 north will take you through magnificent forested land until you wind up at the town of Graeagle, California. This quaint community features a number of fascinating shops offering a variety of merchandise you won’t likely find back home. State Highway 70 provides a scenic drive eastward through the pine forests and eventually to the beginning of the high desert to intersect with Highway 395 at Hallelujah Junction. It’s then about a 30-minute freeway commute south back into Reno.

What you will have seen, if you’ve taken our tour, is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There is much more to see and do. There is more sightseeing, and there are boundless recreational opportunities. As a recent first-time visitor noted, “This area is probably the best-kept secret in the world in terms of four season weather, recreation, and spectacular vistas.”

And who would argue?