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Exploring Donner Lake & Donner Summit Businesses Donner Lake and Donner Summit are more often thought of for their recreation opportunities than their businesses. Although very much part of Truckee, visiting Donner Lake and the summit areas can make you feel like you’re in a very small, quaint town. With the many public piers lining Donner Lake, Donner Memorial State Park, Campgrounds & Museum, and West End Beach, biking and boating around the lake can feel like you’re on vacation in the summer and fall. Donner Summit businesses like Clair Tappaan are set in the woods with trail access right outside their doors. And the Village at Sugar Bowl very much feels like a European escape.
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Donner Lake Inn Bed & Breakfast Donnerlakeinn.com
Longtime locals Paul and Mindy Oesterman own this quaint mountain lodge across the street from Donner Lake. Located in the forest along Gregory Creek, conveniently located just 1.2 miles off Interstate 80.Guest rooms are in a separate wing each with a private entrance, gas fireplace, flat screen TV, and private bath. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Guests rave about the daily homemade hot cooked country breakfast. Guests can enjoy a complimentary afternoon snack and beverage before dinner at one of Truckee’s many restaurants. An outdoor year-round hot tub is available. There are multiple seasonal outdoor seating areas, where guests can relax and visit. West End’s public beach and the boat launch are just a block away. In the winter months, multiple downhill and cross country ski areas are just a short drive away.
Little Truckee Ice Creamery Truckeeicecream.com
Locals rejoiced when Kenny Blum opened this hand-made premium ice cream shop near the West End of Donner Lake in 2015. They put in an industrial stateof-the-art kitchen, so not only the ice cream, but most of the toppings are made right at the shop. You might think that ice cream would only be popular during the warm summer months, but locals stock up on pints and get their ice cream fix year-round. In addition to the homemade ice cream, with popular flavors including “Truckee Trails” and a non-dairy coconut that is to die for, Little Truckee Ice Creamery also serves coffee, espresso, hot chocolate, and tea. Because of the licensed industrial kitchen, they are also able to offer pop-up meals, such as authentic shredded beef street tacos on Fridays during the spring, fall, and other pop up days. It’s hard to beat Cabeza tacos and ice cream! Check their website for seasonal hours and pop-ups.
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