Winter storms could be an issue driving over the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Winter. The best route is, of course, Interstate 80, beginning at the San Francisco Bay Bridge, taking you all the way into Reno. It is touted as an All Weather Highway, however, during the severest storms, in can and does close a few times a year, sometimes for several hours at a time. However, snow plows and other equipment are staged at critical points whenever weather threatens. They usually do a good job of keeping at least one lane in each direction cleared, buy sometimes they are overwhelmed by Mother Nature.If you rent a car and plan to do this drive, you MUST also rent snow chains. Spend some time practicing the installation. You want to get the practice in where it s dry and relativelly warm. You don t want to be sprawled on the freezing, wet snow, on the side of the freeway, trying to figure out what link goes where. You could leave the coast on a clear, relatively warm day, and still be caught by surprise driving over the pass. Whan a storm hits, the California Highway Patrol will set up check points and, even if chains are not required to be installed, they will turn back any car that does not, at least, carry the chains. (depending on the severity of the weather, sometimes 4WD vehicles are exempt)To give you an example of WHY I advise this: I was in Reno, one year in early June. On the morning I was to return to the Bay Area, I looked out the window and saw snow falling. Some rain was expected, PROBABLY, but what we got was snow. I hurriedly checked out of my hotel and started the drive back. I managed to get over the hill, but, later that afternoon, the chain requirements were announced and many people were stranded for the day and that evening.Ever since then, any car I own, I ALWAYS keep the chains in my vehicle. I travel into the Sierras about six or eight times a year. It s easier to keep the chains in my car than it is to find them and dig them out of storage.What to do depends on what you like. Wine Country up by Napa is nice. You could take some pictures and do a couple of wine tasting tours. I like visiting the little towns all over Gold Country in the Sierras, but harsh weather may spoil that tour. Old Sacramento can make a good substitute. If you like playing in the snow, you can purchase a cheap snow saucer and stop at one of the mountain s Snow Parks and do some sliding. Or, of course, rent some skis or a board at one of many ski resorts directly on the way to the Reno/Tahoe area.Again, depends on what you like. Do a web search for the San Francisco, Northern California, Sierra Nevada areas and see what kind of events and locations turn up.
In February, you ll definitely need to pay attention to the traffic reports. You ll be going over the Donner Pass, which is up at a crazy high altitude. They have snow up there in June sometimes, so February may be impassable. Good luck, and be sure to get some tire chains on that rental car.
It is a 4-hour drive straight on Hwy 80 to Reno. The places to stop on the way would be Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.
well i love lake tahoe,personly. you also should vistit napa , very beautiful (=