Donner Lake, California: A Local's Guide to the Truckee Area

The Donner Lake Home puts you steps from one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Sierra Nevada, in a town that happens to be where Cathy Nason's own design story and Ananda's Luxury Homestays first began.

Donner Lake itself is the star of the show, with clear water for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing, plus 37 public docks scattered along the shoreline. West End Beach and the Donner Lake Marina both offer easy public access and boat rentals if you want to get out on the water without bringing your own gear. History buffs will want to stop at Donner Memorial State Park, which tells the story of the pioneers who wintered here, and features its own hiking trails right along the lake.

Just a few minutes away, Historic Downtown Truckee is full of colorful storefronts, local boutiques, and old railroad history to explore on foot, along with a growing food and coffee scene. In winter, Tahoe Donner Ski Resort offers family-friendly downhill and cross-country skiing close by, and year-round the Donner Lake Overlook is worth the short drive for one of the best views in the entire Tahoe area.