South Reno - Reno, NV Area Guide

South Reno developed once Reno began to expand its construction of freeways in the late 20th century. Reno itself attracted newcomers who wanted to mine in the area in the mid-1800s. With the relocation of the University of Nevada, more prospective residents moved to the city. The new developments in the south resulted from Reno’s continued growth over the last several decades. The area still attracts families interested in a more suburban lifestyle close to both downtown Reno and Lake Tahoe.

Residents drive north to downtown Reno to visit museums, such as the National Automobile Museum and the Nevada Museum of Art. Locals can also observe the burgeoning art scene in the city in its downtown galleries at places such as Stremmel Gallery. Most of the large annual events and festivals take place in downtown Reno as well, including the Great Balloon Races.

Though chain restaurants dominate the shopping mall area of The Summit in South Reno, several local eateries have popped up with unique menus. Mainly located in shopping plazas near South Virginia Street, locals take a ride down Highway 395/Interstate 580 to get to many restaurants, especially lunch places and new-American fare. South Reno features a few bars, but most residents need to travel to Midtown or downtown Reno for nightlife and music.

If you find yourself in the Galena area craving breakfast, go to Sunrise Café for a Florentine Eggs Benedict or a vegetarian breakfast burrito. Made with fresh ingredients, Sunrise Café allows you to add biscuits and gravy to your breakfast for a nominal price. Eggs Benedict fans love the restaurant for its various Benedict recipes. Try the Lobster Benedict for a new take on the breakfast staple.

Yosh’s Unique Deli serves up lunch in the shopping area on Foothill Drive. Order a sandwich or a salad for a light meal, such as the Cinque Terra sandwich. Try a side of baked potato salad for a great addition to your meal. Combine both the salad and sandwich options with a half-order of each for a balanced lunch.

Finish your day with dinner at Twisted Fork, a restaurant known for its juicy braised short ribs and a variety of salads. Try some healthy options, such as the veggie burger, or taste a variety of seafood or delicacies, such as lamb meatballs. Wash down your meal with a specialty drink such as the Moscow Mule or a prickly pear martini.

For a night out on the town in south Reno, stick to the closer bars such as Vino 100, a wine bar on Steamboat Parkway. Drink some great wine, or order a martini for a classy night. Bully’s Sports Bar, open for 24 hours, serves food and broadcasts many sports games for all sports enthusiasts. To play some slots, head to the Tamarack Junction on South Virginia Street. Eat at the steakhouse for a special meal, or watch the game at Sully’s Sports Bar.

Residents often drive up to the northern areas of Reno for music and dancing. The closer location for both, the Peppermill, gives locals a chance to dance the night away at Edge or listen to some local bands at The Terrace.

Most South Reno locals need to drive their cars to get to most major shopping plazas in town. While certain areas in the southern neighborhoods allow for hiking and biking, walking proves difficult for most shopping. The region’s newer developments cause it to be a good place for biking, especially for exercise.

RTC Ride, the county’s bus service, serves the Double Diamond area via Double R Boulevard on Route 56. However, the bus does not drive all the way out to the Geiger Grade neighborhoods or to Galena. Ridesharing options may be hard to come by, but checking Craigslist and posting an inquiry may elicit responses.

Call a cab from Reno Sparks Cab Company for service, though the cab may take a few minutes to get to your location. Fortunately, locals find driving to the center of Reno easy due to the close location of Interstate 580, also called Highway 395. Residents park easily in the southern neighborhoods because of the wide streets and large areas.

The aforementioned wide streets benefit bicyclists who like to take a ride to the store or simply exercise. New streets feature bike lanes, making the road safer for bikers. Be careful biking on Virginia Street due to its traffic and high speed limits. Ride up in the Galena area to Mt. Rose or even to Lake Tahoe.

South Reno distinguishes itself from other neighborhoods with its open spaces and several hiking trails. However, locals don’t find many city parks in the outer south neighborhoods. On the way to Virginia City, residents can stop by Geiger Lookout Wayside Park to take in an amazing view of the Washoe Valley. Read about Davison Geiger, who gave his name to Geiger Grade, and snap some photographs at this free park.

Huffaker Park, another free recreational area close to south Reno, functions as a place where residents can hike and walk their dogs in a large space. Walk the 1.7-mile trail up and down hills to get your heart pumping. You can see another view of the city at the end of the hike. Children may not find the park as entertaining as adults, since it does not feature playgrounds.

Take kids to the free Hidden Valley Regional Park, where they can play on the children’s playground and ride horses on the equestrian trail. With a volleyball court, tennis courts and a practice field, Renoites enjoy getting their energy out at Hidden Valley Regional Park. Dogs love the Link Piazzo Dog Park, which allows them to run off-leash.

Most festivals and events take place in north Reno. Head to Idlewild Park for the Great Balloon Races in the fall, or visit Wingfield Park for cultural events such as the Reno Basque Festival.

Living in Reno entails a slightly higher cost of living than the national average. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the southern neighborhoods costs an average of $854 a month. Plan to spend $2 on a one-way ride with RTC Ride, and pay $65 for a 31-day bus pass.

The average price of gas in South Reno costs 2 percent more than the national average. Beer, however, has an affordable cost, at an average of $3.50.

The nearest shopping mall for South Reno locals, The Summit, gives residents a chance to walk around a nicely decorated outdoor mall. Complete with a movie theater, Dillard’s, Gap and other clothing stores, you can spend a day shopping in nice weather. Finish your day of shopping by grabbing a meal at BJ’s Brewery. Stores such as White House Black Market and Loft provide some high-end shopping options.

For stylish jeans and boutique women’s clothing, go to Savvy’s Boutique on South Virginia Street. Buy cute nightclothes and dresses while enjoying the exemplary customer service. Those with a sweet tooth should head up to South McCarran Boulevard to Edible Arrangements. Taste some chocolate-covered strawberries, or order other chocolate candies for a loved one.

South Reno locals have a variety of grocery stores to choose from. Raley’s, closer to Galena, and Wal-Mart, close to Damonte Ranch, provide an assortment of food and other grocery staples. Residents drive to WinCo Foods on South Virginia Street for big-budget shopping. For beef jerky, vegetables and baked goods, stop by the Summit Farmers Market in the summer.