Reno Nevada

Gold Silver Gambling Divorce Ski Resorts and Water Sports

History pioneers settled in the Truckee Meadows where the Truckee River flows from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. These mid-19^th century farmers also provided services for travelers on the California Trail. Mining became the foremost local activity with the discovery of gold in nearby Virginia City and especially silver at the Comstock Lode in 1859 when Virginia City and the California Trail were connected by a a log toll bridge across the Truckee River. Lake Crossing, a small community that serviced travelers near the bridge, became the site of a depot on the First Transcontinental Railroad where the town of Reno came into being in May, 1868.

 

Nevada is the World’s Third Largest Gold Producer

Reno named for Civil War Major General Jesse Lee Reno, continued to grow as a business and agricultural center and became the principal settlement on the transcontinental railroad between Sacramento and Salt Lake City. The Reno Arch was erected on Virginia Street in 1926 to promote the Transcontinental Highways Exposition of 1927. 

Legalized Gambling Reno took a leap when the state of Nevada legalized open-gambling and liberal divorce laws in 1931. The war years of the 1940s cemented Reno as the place to play for two decades.

Also, the presence of a main east-west rail line, the interstate highway system, favorable state tax climate, and relatively inexpensive land created good conditions for warehousing and distribution of goods. Reno also is an outdoor recreation destination, due to its close proximity to the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe and 18 ski resorts. Winter activities include snowshoeing, ice skating, and snowmobiling; international bike competitions are held in Lake Tahoe during the summer.

Sacramento California

Natural Beauty History Cultural Attractions Cutting Edge Cuisine and Wineries

Sacramento sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, and is an ideal destination for a Northern California itinerary and getaways to visit the Wine Country, Gold Country, the Redwoods, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic National Park and the Central Valley.

History Sacramento has a colorful history filled with humor, steam trains, ghosts, heroes and villains, the California Gold Rush and other tales of the Wild West.

Arts and Culture Sacramento has a vibrant arts and culture scene with Broadway series musicals shown downtown, murals painted all over the city and fine arts from ancient times to today showcased in museums and Midtown’s galleries, artists’ studios and performing arts groups.

The Performing Arts Sacramento has several top-caliber performing arts groups, including the Sacramento Ballet and the Sacramento Opera. Visitors can see shows in a variety of venues, including the historic Memorial Auditorium in downtown Sacramento and the Community Center Theater, parts of the Sacramento Convention Center complex.

The Museums in Sacramento cover everything from art and history to aviation and design. Explore the California Impressionists at the Crocker Art Museum, historic architecture at the Governors' Mansion and the California Museum for exhibits on all aspect of California life.

The Best Railroad Museum in North America

Outdoors with more than 250 days of sunshine a year and just a short drive from the Sierra Nevada this city offers whitewater rafting, hiking, bicycling, skydiving and other extreme sports.

Bicycling on a 32 miles bike trail along the scenic American River Parkway.

River rafting down the American River from historic Folsom to Sacramento. Launch a boat on the Sacramento River and explore the waterway, passing under Tower and I Street Bridges.

Parks Capitol Park is full of statues and monuments as well as the trees native to California. McKinley Park in East Sacramento has a beautiful rose garden, Southside Park features a unique playground, a pond that reflects fall colors and the city skyline. Also, 28-acre Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

Festivals include the Save Mart Grape Escape, Gold Rush Days and the Farm-to-Fork Celebration.

Walk around Old Sacramento, visit fully restored Gold Rush-era buildings then head through the bustling downtown and Midtown’s vibrant restaurant scene and nightlife venues.

Food Wine and Brew Sacramentans love to eat outside and many restaurants have outdoor seating, cafes settings, secluded courtyards or even an entire wall opening to the elements.

Farms from the Sacramento region supply the world’s best restaurants with fresh ingredients every day and has recently been proclaimed the Farm-to-Fork Capital of America recognizing the area’s local farmland, food production, export practices and a vibrant culinary scene shaped by the growing number of top rated chefs and restaurants in the region.

Wineries the city is surrounded on all sides by a diverse selection of wine regions that have achieved an international reputation and the local winemakers enjoy greeting visitors personally!

Breweries get an inside look at a brew house, grounds, sustainability practices and packaging facilities. Learn about the history of Sierra Nevada and its role as a pioneer of the craft brewing movement.