Tahoe Donner

For people looking for a subdivision with a plethora of amenities, there is no substitute for Tahoe Donner.  Located at the top of Northwoods Blvd., in Truckee, Tahoe Donner’s 6000 home sites are used primarily as vacation homes.  The proximity of Tahoe Donner to all of the major ski areas and to Interstate 80 makes this a natural choice for the ski enthusiast.

There are condominiums, townhomes and single family residences — of all sizes and in all price ranges, currently beginning in the mid 200’s.  The homeowners’ dues are modest when you consider all of the subdivision’s amenities.  Some of these include an 18 hole, championship golf course, 2 outdoor pools, an outdoor lap pool that is open all year, tennis courts, recreation center which sports a state of the art workout facility.  Also there is an equestrian center, both cross country and downhill ski areas, campsites, beach and boat facilities at Donner lake, and a wonderful restaurant “The Lodge.”  The homeowners’ association is quite strong.  Their architectural committee works hard to make sure that the homes blend in with the natural surroundings www.tahoedonner.com .

Within the Tahoe Donner Subdivision there is located a small commercial center that houses a convenience store and Deli.

There are several property management businesses in the Truckee area that serve to help property owners with rentals and/or maintenance of their homes.  www.truckeeproperties.com .  This Tahoe Donner area has some of the most successful vacation and ski lease rentals.

Tahoe Donner gets the most snow in the Truckee area.  There is natural gas (Southwest Gas), the water and electricity are supplied by the Truckee Donner Public Utility District.  There is garbage removal service and a public sewer service.

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Donner Summit

Serene Lakes – Ice Lakes

This area is predominately inhabited by second homeowners.  The subdivision wraps itself around two beautiful mountain lakes:  Lake Serena and Lake Dulzura.  Other closeby attractions include Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, Soda Springs Ski area, Royal Gorge X-Country Ski Area, Loch Leven Lakes (for great hiking), the Pacific Crest Trail and acres of National Forest Lane.  Serene Lakes is accessed by exiting Highway 80 at the Soda Springs Exit, heading east on Donner Pass Road until you reach Soda Springs Road, then head south (right).  There is a wonderful lodge at the end of Soda Springs Road — Ice Lakes Lodge, good food and thoroughly modern rooms.  Also a great spot for a wedding!!

Pla Vada Woodlands

West of Serene Lakes and located adjacent to Kingvale, in close proximity to highways 40, 80 and the beautiful Yuba River, this subdivision has long been a favorite of snowmobilers and x-country skiers.  Until recently the homeowners’ association chose to leave most roads in the subdivision unplowed in winter.  This practice has changed, thereby increasing the accessibility of all parcels, year round.  This subdivision has both full time and second homeowners.  To access, exit highway 80 at the Kingvale Exit and continue south on Donner Pass Road until you reach the subdivision on the left.

The waste disposal system in PlaVada is privately owned and therefore not connected with the Donner Summit Public Utility District.  The annual mandatory homeowners’ dues cover the cost of road plowing and maintenance and sewer.  There is a small park along the river for the homeowners.

Kingvale

An older subdivision with dirt or gravel roads, adjacent to PlaVada and in close proximity to both Highways 40 and 80.  This subdivision harkens back to the 1930’s when there was no Highway 80.  Imagine arriving here at your rustic stone cottage after an arduous journey from San Francisco.  Out your back door lies the peaceful Yuba River.  Most of these cabins are not lived in during the winter as the dirt/gravel roads throughout the subdivision are not maintained in winter.  Some of the cabins are not insulated and therefore only suitable for summer living.

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Donner Lake

The neighborhoods around Donner Lake consist of both primary and secondary homes.  Most are within walking distance to this high mountain lake.  History buffs and nature seekers are often drawn to Donner Lake, an area bordered by Donner Memorial State Park on the east and Donner Summit on the west.  Be sure to visit the Donner Party Museum, it is an inexpensive and fascinating diversion for people of all ages.  There is a video which is shown often throughout the day explaining what happened to the Donner Party Travelers.

The area also is a favorite with rock climbers.  At the west end of the lake, the Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District maintains a public beach and a public boat ramp.  There are also Recreation District public docks scattered along the east side of the lake where the public can lay out a towel, get some sun, go swimming or try their luck catching some German Brown or

Rainbow Trout.  There are also put-in points along the east side of the lake where you can launch your kayak or canoe.

The Donner Lake area’s drinking water is supplied by Truckee Donner Public Utility District.  Truckee Sanitary District (sewer) services most of the Donner Lake area.  Electric service is also supplied by the Truckee Donner Public Utility District.  There is a property owner’s association which has a limited number of memberships available www.dlpoa.org.  They have a private beach with another launch facility.

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Glenshire-Devonshire

is located about 6 miles east of downtown Truckee.  This community consists primarily of full time residences.  It has its own elementary school, fire station, grocery store, video store, preschool, ballet studio and real estate office.  Considered the “Banana Belt” of Truckee, this area has the least amount of snowfall in all of Truckee.  Consequently snow removal here is the easiest making this place the ideal winter habitat.  The neighborhood has homes for sale with entry level price tags as well as those that span the economic spectrum.  The majority of the residents of this area commute to Reno, Nevada to work.