The Rainbow Lodge in Soda Springs is set to reopen

Fishing on the Yuba River.

The Rainbow Lodge has been a popular dining spot for travelers to the Sierra for decades. The lodge is sighted on Historic US 40, just off Interstate 80 in Soda Springs. Unfortunately, the restaurant and lodge have been closed for several months with the property up for sale.

The property was purchased late last year by a family from Rocklin, California. The plan is to reopen in February of this year.

The property had been owned by a group of Bay Area investors that purchased the Rainbow Lodge, Royal Gorge, and much of the surrounding property for development into a condominium project. That plan fell through and most of the land surrounding Rainbow Lodge was purchased by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, The Trust for Public Land and partners.

The Rainbow Lodge was sold separately, along with 115 surrounding acres. The new owners want to attract Royal Gorge skiers to stay overnight at the lodge. The historic lodge has more than 30 rustic rooms with a dining area that overlooks the Yuba River.

I always enjoyed stopping by for lunch or dinner on my way to Tahoe. My favorite eating area was on the patio overlooking the Yuba River. Visitors will enjoy the many historic photos lining the walls of the circa 1920 lodge.