About Town: Reno
By Ceri Mobley, PGATOUR.COM Associate Site Producer
After a couple of wet weather weeks, the PGA TOUR should enjoy a milder climate out West in Nevada. The Legends Reno-Tahoe Open takes place at Montreux Golf and Country Club about halfway between Reno and Lake Tahoe, which means there's no shortage of things to do.
SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE
With a town like Reno just around the corner, you won't struggle to find a nice hotel, and, unlike its sister sin city to the south, Reno hotels are a bargain. See for yourself:
• The Summit at Grand Sierra Resort: Ever stayed in a four-star hotel for less than $100 a night? Chances are you answered no. Well, you can here. The Summit is around 20 minutes from Montreux GCC and rates start as low as $64 a night. Beat that.
• Well since the challenge is there, let's go ahead and beat it. Sacrifice a half star, and you can sleep even cheaper. The three-and-a-half-star Eldorado Hotel and Casino is about 25 minutes from the course and starts as low as $40 a night.
• If you were thinking you'd rather enjoy the rural aspects of Nevada, then book a room at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. Unfortunately, you're going to pay a lot more to stay at this four-star hotel; rates start around $300 a night, and it's a good half hour drive from the course.
SOMETHING TO SNACK ON
Go big and bold with your dining this week. If there's a state that forgives gluttony, it's probably this one. To get you started...
• Cactus Creek Southwestern Steakhouse: This restaurant is in the Bonanza Casino in Reno and offers generous American platters such as bison, ribs, and -- of course -- steak, steak, steak.
• Carb conscious? Forget about that this week and indulge in the best Italian food you'll find in the desert. Reno's La Vecchia will spoil you with its huge menu, including 16 pasta dishes -- all made fresh in house.
• Staying by the lake? Try a little Nevadan Mexican cuisine at Hacienda de la Sierra. If the thought of chips and chimichangas isn't enough to draw you here, then happy hour should be.
• Another lakeside option is Big Water Grille. This restaurant combines great food with stunning panoramic views of the lake -- it's a perfect spot to enjoy an evening cocktail while watching the sun go down.
SOMETHING TO TELL YOU FRIENDS ABOUT
Bored? Don't be ridiculous. You couldn't be bored here if you tried.
• Take a leaf out of the Met Life Blimp's book and reserve a flight on a Reno-Tahoe Sky Tour for the best shot of what's below. Helicopters leave from the Circus Circus hotel, and you can take a 12- or 45-minute flight -- but spring for the 45 if you want to see the lake.
• Do a little gaming in Reno's plentiful casinos. Don't go crazy because you're going to need some money for your next PGA TOUR trip, but make peace with your chips before you throw them at the mercy of the dealer and enjoy those free drinks while you watch your stack shrink. Or grow. Only the gaming gods know.
• Go parasailing on Lake Tahoe. It's amazingly peaceful and quiet up there, and unless you're terrified of heights, you won't want to come down. It's a good way to see what parachuting is all about without having to do the whole jumping out of a plane thing. http://www.northshoreparasail.com/
• If serene sailing through the sky sounds a little too tame for you and you'd prefer something to get your adrenaline going, then jet skis are for you. Most places have jet skis for one, two or three people and designated jet ski areas for the safest experience. http://www.northshoreparasail.com/tahoe-aquatic-jet-ski-rentals/tahoe-aquatic-jet-ski-rentals.html
STICKING AROUND?
Reno is, well, in the middle of nowhere so to speak, but there are a couple of drivable spots to visit if you have a few days to spare.
• San Francisco: The PGA TOUR hasn't been in northern California since February, so it seems like a good time to go back. The City by the Bay is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Reno.
• Yosemite National Park: Summer is the best time of year to visit Yosemite because it's often closed to the public in the winter due to weather. It's a good four-and-a-half-hour drive from Reno, though, so make sure you really want to make the trip before you hit the road.
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