Sunday, April 4, 2021

Great Full Gardens- Delicious and Nourishing Food in A Cool & Casual Environment with Great Service



Locations
Midtown 
555 So Virginia #107
Reno, NV 89501

South Reno 
748 South Meadows Parkway Ste A-14
Reno, NV 89521

Legends at Sparks 

The Kitchen 


Great Full Gardens is a restaurant that many locals and tourists are Grateful for.  
You can eat here everyday and not feel guilty about it because their food is wholesome with lots of fresh ingredients.  

People are under the impression that healthy food is not tasty food, but this isn't the case at Great Full Gardens.  This restaurant aims at sourcing the freshest produce and meats (local when possible) and highlights them with complimenting ingredients and simple seasonings.  This allows for true flavors to shine through and for freshness to speak for itself.  There's no shortness of flavor here. 

Great Full Gardens also gives back to the community.  They aim at educating youth - K through 12, homeless shelters, and community gardens with essential tools like greenhouses that they donate and knowledge they impart.  Everybody wins when you support this restaurant. 

Notes:
-breakfast served until 11:30AM daily (as of 4/2021)
-serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner
-kid's menu available
-access menus on their website
-super friendly service.  When picking up food at checkout, I once heard the manager giving the staff a pep talk.  It was motivational and nice to see this kind of synergy going on.  It translates to good service and good food. 
-order online and pick up.  schedule orders at specific times
-their serve their own versions of well known dishes from different cuisines
-they cater to people with special dietary needs: dairy-free, paleo, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian
-they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner
-outside seating available
-curbside pickup available
-they have pre-made soups at their bar available for purchase. Take a recipe card found on the counter or save paper and access their recipe online on their website
-they cater. check their website for their full menu
-don't forget to sign up for their rewards program if you're a regular
-gift cards available
 -they have a private room you can reserve for different type of gatherings located at their midtown location
-specialty menus during holidays


Categorized Under "Good Eats"

Photos
©Katherine Fung,
All Rights Reserved.
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Location: 555 S Virginia St #107, Reno, NV 89501, USA

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Read This Before Visiting Adventure Mountain, South Lake Tahoe's Premier Tubing Destination

***Updated 8/20/2025***



*My Instagram REEL of Adventure Mountain & Pretty Odd Wieners

HOURS
Typical season hours of operation are 9 am - 4 pm daily November - April based on conditions. Resort entry is not allowed during the last 30 minutes of the day.

*Base Elevation: 7,400 feet 

*40 Acres

*Up to 18 Machine Groomed Sledding/Tubing Lanes
(dependent on snowfall)

Adventure Mountain is a premier tubing resort in South Lake Tahoe that my family and I have been enjoying for years. If you’ve never been tubing before, think of it like sliding at a playground, only longer, faster, and with way more screaming. Sure, you can grab a tube and find a snowy slope anywhere, but tubing parks like Adventure Mountain take it up a notch. With machinery that plows and compacts the snow into smooth, buttery lanes, you get an experience that would take an army of people to create naturally. Plus, you avoid the exhausting struggle of trudging through knee deep powder.

Adventure Mountain has plenty of lanes to choose from. Yes, it does mean a little repetitive trekking up the hill, but the fun is almost always worth it. The only time it can feel tricky is when you’ve got a little one who’s struggling to keep up.  I have three kids, so trust me, I know. But don’t let that stop you. Being prepared with the right gear and realistic expectations can make all the difference.  And whenever you're ready to throw in the towel for the day with training, you can always set the little rascals loose to play in the snow or get their snack on in the lodge.

Winter can really be a drag for a lot of people. I know how uncomfortable the weather can feel and how annoying it is to deal with layers of clothing and bulky gear. But, like anything else, it gets easier with a little practice. After doing this trip so many times, getting ready hardly feels like work anymore.  And honestly, I can’t imagine not having this activity to look forward to every winter.  It's a fun thing being surrounded by so many others just having a great time.

With a little patience, persistence, and a willingness to have fun, you’ll unlock the doors to a wonderland beyond compare and start to see the season in a whole new light. Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of exercise without even realizing it.

What You’ll Find on the Mountain

  • Tubing for all ages  - Gentle lanes for the little ones and steeper runs for adults and thrill seekers.

  • Snow play areas  - Open spaces for building snowmen, making snow angels, or just enjoying the winter scenery.

  • Essentials store -  Stocked with bibs, boots, gloves, sunblock, and other must haves.

  • Cozy lodge - Serving warm food and drinks, perfect for taking a break between runs.


When to Visit
-Adventure Mountain can get busy on weekends.  I suggest visiting on a weekday or getting there early before the resort opens.

Parking and Capacity
-If the entrance road is blocked, it means Adventure Mountain has reached capacity. Staff periodically reopen access throughout the day, usually on the hour, but entry is not guaranteed.
-For safety reasons, waiting along the blocked road is not allowed since it runs right next to a busy highway.
-If Adventure Mountain is full, Tube Tahoe is a nearby alternative worth checking out.

-Per vehicle fees ($20/car covers resort fee, parking, and use of snow play areas) at the gate and per person fees for tubing at the gift shop
-Kids tube for free on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, limit of 2 per paying adult

Weather and Road Conditions
Ensuring favorable weather conditions and safe road conditions is key for a hassle-free trip. I recommend checking AccuWeather for upcoming forecasts. Personally, my family prefers temperatures above 35°F with minimal wind. For further details, please check out my Winter Travel Guide.

Tubing Area

Our 2-Hour tubing session passes are as follows:

-Adults (45" and over) $40
-Kids (44" and under) $35
-Helmets are available upon request.
-Rental equipment must be returned at the end of your rental period.
-Sledding is not allowed.

Nearby

Just a ten minute drive from the resort sits Pretty Odd Wieners, a beloved local hot dog food truck tucked into the Shell gas station parking lot. It’s been serving up creative eats for over a decade.  Every trip to the area feels incomplete without a stop here.

They made a nice seating area right next to their truck where you can enjoy your food while looking at traffic pass by against an epic backdrop of snowcapped mountains. 

I had the chance to meet the owners of the truck, Brian (featured in my reel) and his wife, Jill, and they’re always so kind on my visits. Their passion for food and their appreciation of different cultures and cuisines inspired the vision behind Pretty Odd Wieners. Over the years of visiting restaurants & food trucks, I've come to realize that great customer service and genuine passion always make the biggest difference in the overall experience.  I hope you enjoy this spot as much as I do if/when you make it out. 

What makes Pretty Odd Wieners special?

  • Unconventional toppings - pork belly, mac & cheese, cream cheese.

  • Fusion styles - Hawaiian, Chicago, Mexican, Cali, and Seattle-inspired flavors.

  • Unique options - elk, boar, bison, Italian sausages, and even vegan choices.

You really can’t go wrong no matter what you order

Holiday Market
If I find a place that has Holiday, Village, or Christmas in its name, you can bet I will visit it.  This well established locally owned grocery store is clean, charming, and fun to browse.  Load up on some snacks and drinks for the drive home or if you're planning on staying in the area.

BOA Vista Orchards
Year-round apple orchard nestled in Apple Hill, an area comprised of 50+ farms. Located just an hour away, it includes a farm store stocked with an array of apple products, pantry essentials, kitchen tools, and beverages such as cider and wine. Visitors can enjoy picnic areas and stunning vistas while exploring the orchard's grounds.

The baby slopes can be found closest to lodge.

Know Before You Go
-Be prepared for some walking uphill, as Adventure Mountain lacks a magic carpet. 
-Slopes cater to various skill levels, with gentler runs nearest to the cabin suitable for kids, while steeper ones are located closer to the entrance of the park
-The lodge's current status can be checked on the website.
-For your convenience, the resort has a small shop that offers essential gear like snow boots, gloves, and beanies.
-Children under 36" inches must be accompanied by an adult.
-No outside food allowed except for special dietary needs.
-Purchase tickets for tubing & sign waivers at gift shop. Collect tubes at the slopes.
-Food available for purchase at the resort - breakfast, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, snacks, drinks, and more.  Last visit, I saw a sign restricting outside food.  This was not the case in the past, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Menu from website.
-Feel free to pass over at the top of the mountain to the line of your desired slope.  A lot of people get backed up at the lane ends.
-Proper snow gear is essential for staying warm and dry while tubing. On warmer, sunny days, snow can get caught in the tubes and start to melt, so layers help keep you dry & comfortable. When temperatures dip to 40°F or below, I recommend bundling up in a snow suit, along with gloves and a beanie.
-Eye protection and sunblock are essential, especially on sunny days (snow reflects light)
-Adventure Mountain is the best value for the money spent
-Throughout the years, I've witnessed adults enjoying the resort even without kids
-A set of extra clothes for each in your party may come in handy

Tube or Sled?
-For safety reasons, no outside tubes and sleds are allowed.  For convenience, the resort supplies two sizes of tubes.

Alternatives
*Tube Tahoe is a more kid-friendly resort with less crowds and fewer lanes.

*Gabriella Viola is a Lake Tahoe content creator who made a rad video showcasing free tubing spots in Lake Tahoe.

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.

Photography
©Katherine Fung,
All Rights Reserved.

Categorized Under "Outdoor Winter Activities" and "Lake Tahoe"
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Location: Nebelhorn, Hwy 50 Echo Summit, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96155, USA
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