Truckee Welcome Center

Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce
10065 Donner Pass Road
Truckee, CA 96161

Phone: (530) 587-8808
Fax: (530) 587-2439
Email: info@truckee.com

The Truckee California Welcome is housed in the historic train depot in the heart of historic downtown Truckee. The building’s importance to the Town of Truckee is that of a focal point for the local railroad heritage and an important resource for travelers and the community.

The California Welcome Center is centrally located in the heart of historic downtown Truckee, within walking distance to a variety of dining choices ranging from funky little coffee shops and delis to first-class restaurants – all in authentic, historic buildings. There is a multitude of excellent retail shops surrounding the Depot offering a wide selection of goods which add to the attraction of our quaint, charming downtown. There are two gas stations and three ATM machines downtown, a AAA office just one mile away, an electric car charging station 1.5 miles away, and several more gas stations, shops, services, banks within a 2-mile radius.

We are one mile from Interstate 80, and surrounded by Highway 267, Highway 89 and sit right alongside the tracks for Amtrak trains. Currently Greyhound and Amtrak buses stop here regularly, as do tour buses and local transit.

From Interstate 80, we are the west-bound Gateway to California as well as the High Sierra Region, and the last opportunity to stop in California east-bound as travelers head toward Nevada.

The Depot, also known as the Intermodel Passenger Depot, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in commemoration of the Transcontinental Railroad, which reached Truckee on April 3, 1868. The present depot was completed in 1900. For 113 years, this building has served as the town’s passenger railroad depot. It is also on the list of California’s Historical Landmarks.

There is a lobby / waiting room with authentic benches, a historic safe, and original scale used to weigh baggage many, many years ago. The building is painted in Southern Pacific’s Colonial Yellow with green trim, consistent with colors used in many other depots along the Transcontinental Railroad.

The Truckee-Donner Railroad Society’s Railroad Museum, housed in a historic caboose, is right next door and features railroad artifacts and interpretive displays.

Where can I learn more about the Donner Party?
Donner Memorial State Park is just 2-1/4 miles from the Truckee California Welcome Center which is located in historic Downtown Truckee. The Emigrant Trail Museum tells the story of the ill-fated Donner Party. It also gives a very good feel of how life in Truckee really got its start, from the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, to ice harvesting, the early origins of transportation including U.S. 40 (The Lincoln Highway), and up to the building of Interstate 80.

What is within walking distance of the Truckee California Welcome Center?
The Truckee California Welcome Center is set in the heart of historic downtown Truckee. There are numerous unique shops, boutiques, galleries, coffee bars, wine bars, and restaurants all set in authentic historic buildings. Pick up a self-guided Walking Tour brochure in Truckee California Welcome Center to learn more about the historic buildings. Immediately next to the Welcome Center, is the Truckee Railroad Museum, set in a caboose, the interpretive displays explain about Truckee’s railroad history and early days. You’ll also learn more about Truckee’s history in the nearby Old Jail Museum.

How far is Lake Tahoe from Truckee?
Truckee is 13 miles from Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest in the U.S. with a depth of 1,645 ft. With extraordinarily blue waters, Lake Tahoe is set like a jewel in the mountains and is virtually without peer. It measures 22 miles long and 12 miles wide. The shoreline circumference is 72 miles. It is a “must-see” on your visit to Truckee.

How did Truckee get its name?
The name of the town derives from a friendly Paiute Indian guide whom, in 1844, assisted thousands of emigrants migrating west across the Humboldt Sink. The Indian’s name sounded like “Tro-kay” to the white men, who dubbed him “Truckee.” He became a favorite of the white settlers who found him to be honest and helpful. Chief Truckee fought bravely alongside Col. John C. Fremont in the Mexican War and was the father of Chief Winnemucca.

What is the history of the train depot, where the Truckee California Welcome Center is located?
The downtown train depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in commemoration of the Transcontinental Railroad, which reached Truckee on April 3, 1868. Presidents Grant, Hayes, T. Roosevelt, Garfield and General Sherman visited Truckee and were greeted by waving, cheering crowds at this location. The building has served as the town’s passenger railroad depot since 1900, and is on the list of California’s Historical Landmarks. It is a focal point for the local railroad heritage and an important passenger resource for the town’s past, present and future economic base.

Is Truckee really the coldest spot in the nation?
Truckee has often been recognized as the coldest spot in the nation, but not during the winter ski season as one might expect. These nippy temperatures are noteworthy because they occur from June through early October. While it may be true, it really doesn't give a true picture of Truckee's pristine California weather pattern. Official temperatures are taken at the Truckee-Tahoe Airport, located in Martis Valley. On clear nights, cool air from the high mountains sink downslope into the valley, a high-elevation basin. The dense air mass settles into the basin, creating a chilled microclimate contributing to the chilly readings. As the sun begins to rise, so does the temperature, creating enviable summer and fall temperatures.