Sandpoint

Understand

Sandpoint is a region in transition. From humble timber and fishing beginnings, Sandpoint has been rocketed to among the top destinations in Idaho. It was number one on USA Today's List of Unforgettable Summer Vacations, as well as Sunset Magazine's top small Western Town, along with numerous other distinctions. The small communities lining highways 2, 95 & 200 in east Bonner County are generally referred to Sandpoint, the largest of these being the actual Sandpoint. Excluding Sandpoint, they are the following:

Careywood 18 miles south of Sandpoint, Hwy 95. Cocallala 12 miles south of Sandpoint, Hwy 95. Westmond 10 miles south of Sandpoint, Hwy 95. Dufort 8 miles south of Sandpoint, Hwy 95. Algoma 6 miles south of Sandpoint, Hwy 95 Sagle 5 miles south of Sandpoint, Hwy 95 Ponderay 3 miles north of Sandpoint, sandwiched between Hwy 95/2 and Hwy 200. Kootenai 4 miles north of Sandpoint, Hwy 200. Sunnyside 6 miles east of Sandpoint, Hwy 200 Oden Bay 8 miles east of Sandpoint, Hwy 200. Trestle Creek 14 miles east of Sandpoint, Hwy 200. Hope 16 miles east of Sandpoint, Hwy 200. East Hope 17 miles east of Sandpoint, Hwy 200 Beyond Hope 21 miles east of Sandpoint, Hwy 200 Dover 3 miles west of Sandpoint, Hwy 2. Wrencoe 9 miles west of Sandpoint, Hwy 2 LaClede 14 miles west of Sandpoint, Hwy 2. The time zone is Pacific (UTC-8), and the area code is 208. The official currency is United States dollars, but most stores and restaurants will accept Canadian currency due to Sandpoint's proximity to the Canadian border and the large number of Canadian tourists who visit the region.

Climate Located just north of the 48th parallel, Sandpoint's climate is unique in the region. Although found not far from the deserts of Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho is on the rainy side of the next mountain chain - the Rocky Mountains. Many climate maps show Sandpoint as arid or semi-arid but this is not accurate. With long, usually cold winters (average temperatures are generally below freez

Getting there

By plane Sandpoint's airport is only served by charter planes. Getting in and out is complex and expensive. Spokane International Airport (GEG) is about 2 hours southwest of Sandpoint, it is a hub for Horizon Air, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, and Big Sky Air, and airlines like United and Southwest also fly there. Most flights bound for GEG leave from Seattle/Portland, so be prepared to fly to Seattle or Portland even if you are heading east. You can get a flight directly from Minneapolis, but expect to pay more.

By car From Seattle/Portland Driving east from the west coast, you have two options. I-90 eastbound is the fastest, but it is mostly barren steppe and scrubland. In Coeur d'Alene, take Hwy 95 north to Sandpoint. The scenic alternative to I-90 is Hwy 2- which winds through northern Washington and drops you off right in Sandpoint. It is slightly longer, though. From Boise Take Highway 55 or 95 north through the state. Though it is two-lane most of its length, it is the shortest route, and takes about the same or slightly less than the alternative through eastern Oregon and Washington. From the East I-90 westbound is your best bet. Same drill- take 95 at Coeur d'Alene. For an alternative, Hwy 200 winds through northernwestern Montana, following the Clark Fork River gorge.

By train

1 Sandpoint station, 450 Railroad Ave (next to the marina). The doors on the station are locked, but unlock automatically 1 hour before the train is scheduled to arrive. Inside the station is a heated waiting room and a bathroom. (updated Oct 2023) Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Route serving Sandpoint: Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating

Getting around

Although Sandpoint bills itself as a walking town, you can't really see everything without a car, or even a bike if you're athletic.

Public transportation Spot Bus serves Sandpoint, Dover, Ponderay and Kootenai. Other buses are privately owned ones that take you up and down Schweitzer Mountain during ski season.

Taxis Bonner Taxi, 501 Lake St, ☏ +1 208-597-3463. Sandpoint 7B Taxi, 1413 Spruce St, ☏ +1 208-907-6402.

Car rental For car rentals from the airport, see Spokane.

See

Farmers Market at Sandpoint, Farmin Park (in the middle of the one-way roads, downtown). Sa 9AM-1PM, W 3-5PM. Rockin' good veggies, flowers, crafts and food. Real people doin' real things. Bonner County Historical Society & Museum, 611 S Ella Ave (in the middle of the one-way roads, downtown), ☏ +1 208-263-2344. Tu-F 10AM-4PM. Starting with the Kootenai and Kalispel inhabitants, it covers the history of the area, including the timbering and tourism industries surrounding Lake Pond Oreille.

Do

Sandpoint City Beach Park, 58 Bridge St, ☏ +1 208-263-3613. A popular destination for relaxing and swimming, at least in summer. From here you can see the long bridge coming into Sandpoint. Free. Round Lake State Park, 1915 Dufort Rd, Sagle, ☏ +1 208-263-3489. A quieter lake with Canadian geese, beaver, and other animals and swimming and boating. Free. Schweitzer, 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd, ☏ +1 208-263-9555. A full-service ski and snowboard resort. Free. The Festival At Sandpoint, 1100 Airport Way, ☏ +1 208-265-4554. Annual, family-friendly event featuring live music and Wings Over Sandpoint, a fly-in event showcasing aviation in the northwest including classics and home built aircraft. Every August! Sandpoint Historic District, stroll along N 2nd Ave and see old and present mainstays like the former Coldwater Creek headquarters and the Panida Theater. Try the Pond d'Oreille Trail. It can be accessed along Sandpoint Ave just north of Sandpoint City Beach Park and runs for several miles along the shore. Lake Pend Oreille Cruises, 100 Bridge St (at beach park). Gives you a chance to sightsee from the water and see eagles. Tel: +1 208-255-5253

Buy

Art galleries Art Works Gallery, 214 N First Ave, ☏ +1 208-263-2642. A huge collection of fun and funky art, running the gamut from glass jewelry to handmade soap to computer generated fractals, and everything in between. A Sandpoint must-see. Cedar Street Bridge Public Market, First and Cedar (can't miss it), ☏ +1 208-263-5101. Located on the world-famous Cedar Street Bridge, this collection of small shops has something for everyone, and the European style cafe at the front serves premium crafted (gourmet) gelato to boot. Hallan's Gallery, 323 N. First Ave, ☏ +1 208-263-4704. Featuring the work of famous Sandpoint photographer, the late Ross Hall, one of the oldest stores dating back to 1906. See Sandpoint as it used to be! Janusz Studio by the Lake, Hope, ☏ +1 208-264-5153. Beautiful lakeside studio, open for tours durin