About Carson Valley

We are the land of legends. With natural beauty, historic sites at every turn, outdoor recreation, and a healthy dose of legendary character, Carson Valley remains a destination worthy of attention.

Miles of Open Space

Carson Valley rests at a crossroads of sorts. It sits at the transition between the Sierra Nevada and the Great Basin, the West Coast and the Wild West, the high alpine and the high desert. The valley is guarded on the west by rugged 10,000-foot peaks, the same mountains that cradle Lake Tahoe. Northern Nevada’s most scenic valley is scattered with open space, golf courses, expansive farms and ranches, parks, shops and hotels. Your journey through the Carson Valley stretches from Genoa in the northwest through the towns of Gardnerville and Minden. The trip is paid off with the refreshing reward of Topaz Lake to the south.

Getting Around

As you travel any of the three main roads into Carson Valley (U.S. Highway 395, State Route 88, or U.S. Highway 50), you will enjoy unspoiled views of the valley – surrounded on the east and west by mountains that are sometimes snow-capped year-round. The weather is pleasant and the area enjoys four distinct seasons, with temperatures commonly in the 80’s and 90’s during the summer and, typically, several inches of snow falling over the course of the winter. Topaz Lake, a 20-minute drive from Gardnerville and 30 minutes from Minden, is known for great fishing, boating, water-skiing, and wake-boarding. The lake (a reservoir) lies east of U.S. Highway 395 on the Nevada-California border. The scenic Pine Nut Mountains form a backdrop to the lake and nearby Topaz Lake Park. The south shore of Lake Tahoe, one of the world’s most famous alpine lakes, is just a 20-minute drive from Carson Valley.

Your Edible Journey Starts Here

Here is just a small taste of some of the excellent choices where there’s a daily special with your name written all over it. It’s time you two met.

1862 David Walley's Restaurant & Saloon

Big Daddy’s Bike and Brew

Cook'd

CV Steak/Carson Valley Inn

Daniel’s

Fuentes Restaurant & Cantina

Genoa Bar and Saloon

Jacobs Family Berry Farm

J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room

Minden Meat & Deli

eats_drinks_scroller_overland_restaurant_and_pub

Overland Restaurant & Pub

Sierra Chef

The Pink House

Woodett’s Diner

Authentic

Carson Valley: A Legendary Place

Come to know that place where adventures appear fresh daily, where real characters introduce you to wild horses, trails, glider rides, and the perfect bar stool for recounting your legendary day.