18th Hole at The Club at Genoa Lakes, Genoa, NV

Carson Valley a hidden gem in High Sierra

The underrated, value-priced region of touring the High Sierra, the Carson Valley is often thought of as the area you drive through on your way to Lake Tahoe from the Reno area.

As the years have passed, I have become enamored with the area and all it has to offer. Golf-wise, you have two high quality courses in Genoa Lakes-Lakes Course and Dayton Valley.

Located at the opposite ends of the valley, the two courses are routed through wonderful settings. There are other courses such as Silver Oak, the West Course at Eagle Valley and the Ranch Course at Genoa Lakes that are all quality courses, worthy of a reasonably priced round of golf.

The family-oriented Carson Valley Golf Course is a great option to play with the kids and they offer a FootGolf course as well.

Genoa Lakes Sunrise
Genoa Lakes at sunrise

For lodging it has always been about the Carson Valley Inn located in Minden, Nevada.

Purchased in 2010 by horse racing magnate Mike Pegram in partnership with the Carano Family, the CVI is wonderful lodging property located right off Highway 395. The rooms are great, the restaurants excellent and of course, there is gaming, including a nice little sports book if you choose.

Recently I had the joy of staying at the Historian Inn, also located on 395 just a bit down the road in Gardnerville. The Historian Inn was nice and is located right across the street from the J.T. Basque Bar and Dining Room, one of the top Basque restaurants in the region.

Also worth checking out when in the region, the Jacobs Family Berry Farm is a short drive from either lodging spot and worth visiting.

By Dennis Miller