Where to hide from the touristas - even if you are one

Here then, we offer a 'not-completely-local-but-not-totally-touristy' guide of where to go (away from the crowds) this 4th of July weekend.

Crystal Bay:

Cal Neva Circle Bar: In case you haven't heard, the 13-acre house of cards that almost brought down Frank is still for sale. Currently managed by an interim hotel-in-crisis firm representing Canpartners, the LA-based noteholder on the property (foreclosed upon in March), the 'Neve' is running on a shoestring. Yep,  same dipped-in-history, awash-in-memory and soaked-in-failure feel. The Circle Bar is no-man's land. Refuge of the ribald gambler and the degenerate drunk ...and you. Go for it. The help is friendly. Drinks are stiff. ...And the views — well, you'll have to see for yourself. And if you got $10 mil to spare — it can all be yours.

Incline:

Incline: Village Supermarket/Village Meats. Family owned ...you pay less for produce and wine here than at Raley's; the meat counter is the best in four counties (trust us on this, it's worth the drive over from KB or Tahoe City)... and the crowds at the check-out consist of a guy buying a Camel hardpack and a woman looking for stamps (even though the post office is next door). Drop a quarter in the front-of-store slot — it's always worked for us.

Paddle Wheel: It's a dark bar. It's a drinker's bar. After midnight, it's an Eastern Bloc heavy after-shifter for Hyatt dealers bar. It's the last flickering outpost to hitch up the dying embers of your luck before they disappear into the starry night sky.

Kings Beach:

La Mexicana: Walk straight through the Taco Bell on the main drag, keep going across the back parking lot — and there's La Mexicana. Still a block from the beach but in the heart of The Grid; standard fare ...for all you cult-of-burrito junkies who swear by all-things-The-Mission ...this may seem a little too soft on the palate, unless you know how to ask for their special salsa en Espanol. Go with the carne asada wet with green sauce; it'll be your best meal whilst in the Basin this weekend. Best part: Gringo pricing.

Tahoe Vista:

El Sancho's: Kind of hard to miss since it's right on the main drag. Skip the burrito here and go straight for the fish tacos. (Yay whitefish). Pull up a stool ifo the window and gaze out at all the folks tripping over the road shoulder with sunburned noses and new flip flops. Oh, they stay open a tad later too (most Tahoe restaurants are long-since lights out by 8 p.m. — we know, it's terrible).

Dollar Hill:

Bacchi's Inn: This is where your family "used to go"/your "grandpa's favorite place." Full-on Goodfellas-Funny How?! inside. Try just try a test-spin at the bar for a cocktail in the cush red chairs ...and see where the night takes you. Menu hasn't changed (but neither have the prices). Crowds have thinned considerably since the last time you were there ('83-'84) sipping Shirley Temples.

Tahoe City:

Bookshelf: It's hard to be a 'hole in the wall' if you're practically now anchoring the upstairs of the dying Boat Works Mall (oh, 1980s glory days, what did go wrong?!) ...but the Bookshelf is a local, independent bookseller — and that should count for something. Go pick up a magazine or two if you have to. If you're staying a little longer their special orders can be had in a jiff (sometimes overnight). Good vibin'/well-read staff ...and, they're all way conversant on latest summer reads.

SLT:

Divided Sky: All the way down in Meyers. Not a big secret why locals flood into 'the sky" after a day poaching Sierra-at-Tahoe. Um, b/c that's where the guy giving you a ride is going... Music all weekend (sorta). It'll be packed all weekend, for sure — but nary a Looney Tunes shirt (or hipster) in sight.

Truckee:

Pour House: On Jibboom (behind downtown's main drag)... cheap and good glasses/bottles of wine. Small space so it's always cozy-to-crowded ...but in a good way. Have a few glasses and then duck out back round the alley through the red door and find yourself in the Pastime Club. (Shhh... you didn't hear that from us).

Truckee River Winery: If you can find it (hint: click here) knock three times. Ask for Russ. It'll be the best 'tasting' you ever had — guaranteed.

New Moon Natural Foods: Eff Safeway across the way. Get all your organics here. Pick the brains of one of the staff on what part of the PCT to do. Check out their beer fridge ...avoid the crowds. Buy healthy foods. Support the local economy. Your weekend is already off to a good start.