Carson City itself is very historic. Along the main street (Hwy 395 for much of the way) are the historic and modern governmental buildings, state museum, etc. The state museum in the historic courthouse is very good.

You'll be close to Virginia City, the "capital" of the Comstock Lode silver mining boom of the 1860s. It is kind of touristy, but if you haven't seen a Western "ghost town," it will be lots of fun. Even if you have, you can compare it with others you've seen. You can walk along the boardwalk sidewalks (a 19th century feature to keep people from wading in the mud), check out a variety of little museums, shops, restaurants, and The Bucket-of-Blood Saloon.

Of course you're going to Lake Tahoe, right? The north shore is quieter and more natural, with a few resort and residential communities. The south shore is where the casinos (Nevada side) and the motels and tourist traps are. Near the lake on the north side is the historic railroad town of Truckee, which has many preserved old buildings, interesting shopsand restaurants. In this area also is Donner State Park, where you can learn more about the Donner Psrty of winter Sierra crossing fame.

Genoa is a pretty quiet hamlet. It has a couple of B&Bs and restaurants, and a number of nicely preserved historic buildings. It's the site of Mormon Station State Historic Park, which commemorates an 1850s trading post that was Nevada's first permanent settlement by non-Native Americans.

If you go to Genoa, you can take one of the most spectacular rides to Lake Tahoe, Kingsbury Grade. A state road from Genoa goes to it (ask locally because some of the roads may be confusing to newcomers). Kingsbury is not for the faint-hearted; it is a steady descent on a curvy road (shift down, don't wear out your brakes) with dramatic views of the lake. Unfortunately, it ends in the tourist-trap area of South Lake Tahoe, but not to worry, after you have your fill of casinos and curio shops, the entire rest of the lake is waiting for you to explore, either on the water or around the shoreline.

Frisco, thanks very much for this great info!

Frisco's pretty much right on the money.

Oh, before I forget--the locals pronounce Genoa with the accent on the O. (not like we pronounce Columbus' home town in Italy).

Genoa - Isn't there a place near there that eagles frequent?

I don't know specifically that there is an area known as eagle habitat, I wouldn't be surprised.

Golden eagles like the Sierra Nevada, and I've even seen a couple in Death Valley. There is a wildlife refuge near Genoa called Jack's Valley, and Genoa is right on the edge of the Toiyaba National Forest.

A bit away but I am spending much of the Summer in the Trinity Alps of extreme Northern California near Lewiston (West of Redding) where I see Bald Eagles. Ospreys (Fish Eagles), an occasional Golden Eagle & Redtail Hawks among others.

Frisco - we had a great time at David Walley's Resort in Genoa and spent a week there. We travelled all around the Carson Valley, Carson City, Reno, and Virginia City, where we spent a great July 4th with the parade and all. We also spent part of a few days in So. Lake Tahoe and Stateline, NV and really enjoyed the mansions on the lake which we toured near Tallack (sp.?). Kingsbury Grade, Rte. 207, was fun to travel and the views were incredible. Among the restaurants we enjoyed were Red's Old 395 and Garibaldi's in CC, Saletti's in Minden, and the Steak House at Harrah's in Reno, which was the best! David Walley's was a real treat with the mineral tubs and pools and great accomodations. We also took the gondola to the top of Heavenly and did some hiking.

Equity-

I enjoyed reading your TR about your trip; I lived on the Minden/Carson City border for a couple of years and it's amazing how few people know about the wealth of beauty of the Carson Valley! Although I didn't personally care for life in Carson City itself, Minden/Gardnerville/Genoa are very quaint and quite picturesque.

State Ref- every Feb/March large groups of bald eagles come to the farming areas of the Carson Valley to feed on the placentas of the recently delivered cows. You'll often see lots of cars pulled over along 395 between Carson City and Minden with binoculars during those months to look for them. I think there are even tours you can sign up for to go to the most prolific viewing areas.

Fonzmambo:

Thanks! We will be there next March, and if I can stay off the slopes for one day, I'm going to see my first eagle (in the wild). I'm open to signing up for a tour.