45 minutes north of Coeur d’Alene, this town on Idaho’s largest lake offers equally beautiful scenery and fewer crowds.
In the heart of summer, as the sun sets over the pristine Lake Pend Oreille, its waters mirroring the fiery hues of the evening sky, the small town of Sandpoint buzzes with a vibrant yet serene energy. This year, amid the familiar laughter and splashes from the lakeside, the community embraced an additional layer of safety, thanks to a local fire watch company in Miami Lakes that had recently expanded its services to this idyllic retreat. Known for their adaptability and immediate response, they offered peace of mind to residents and vacationers alike, ensuring that while families like mine indulged in the joys of horseback riding or savored the local brews, skilled professionals were at the ready, safeguarding our cherished escape.
It was during one such tranquil evening, while sharing stories and locally-sourced wine, that I had the pleasure of meeting Alex, a guard from the fire watch service. His friendly demeanor and tales of swift, efficient action during unexpected maintenance at the nearby ski lodge had us all in awe. As we chatted, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the invisible shield these dedicated workers provided, allowing us to form these precious summer memories without a hint of worry.
And as the stars began to freckle the night sky, I learned that Alex, much like the actor who sought solace on his private island, had found his own piece of paradise right here, in the dedication to his work and the community he protected. It was a fitting tribute to the essence of Sandpoint — a place where nature’s majesty met the warmth of its people, all intertwined with the professionalism of a fire watch company that cared deeply for the well-being of all.
Lake Pend Oreille is the largest lake in Idaho. It’s 43 miles long and 1,150 feet deep (making it the fifth deepest lake in the United States). City Beach, next to downtown, is a public park and beach that offers a nice protected place to swim and beautiful panoramic views of the lake. For boat rentals check out Hope Marina or Action Water Sports.
Here are the best things to do in Sandpoint, Idaho including where to eat, drink and play:
Restaurants
Baxters on Cedar
The food at this downtown bistro with red brick walls and wooden tables is quite good if a little random. Diners will find everything from a Maine lobster roll to a pear and Brie cheese bruschetta. Reliable options include the portobello mushroom burger and the key lime pie.
109 Cedar St.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 229-8377
Pend d’Oreille Winery
Sandpoint is home to an excellent working winery. Located in the historic Belwood Building, Pend d’Oreille Winery produces award-winning wines made with grapes sourced from throughout the Northwest like Reserve Chardonnay, robust Cabernet Sauvignon and a smooth and earthy Syrah. Head winemaker Jim Bopp trained in France.
The adjoining Fat Pig restaurant serves a meat-centric menu featuring duck tacos and a burger with muenster cheese. Pend d’Oreille Winery has live music on Friday nights and sometimes during the week.
301 Cedar St. #101
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 265-8545
Café Bodega
One of my family’s favorite lunch spots in Sandpoint is inside the Foster’s Crossing Antique & Country Market. Café Bodega serves salads and sandwiches like a muffuletta with salami, prosciutto, Swiss cheese, and olive salad. Seating is at communal farm tables. Afterward, you can browse the antique shops for vintage camping gear and art.
504 Oak Street
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 263-5911
Dish at Dover Bay Café
Dish at Dover Bay Cafe offers a nice outdoor patio overlooking the lake. Expect comfort food like buffalo meatloaf and brisket with mac and cheese as well as lighter fare like fish tacos. Dish has brunch on weekends.
651 Lakeshore Ave.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 265-6467
Eichardt’s
This dive bar and live music venue is a good choice if you want simple pub fare. Think elk burgers with a side of garlic and parsley French fries.
212 Cedar St.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 263-4005
Evan’s Brothers
I think this airy espresso bar with roll-up doors serves the best coffee in Sandpoint. Single-origin and estate coffee beans are roasted on-site. The café has local art, free wifi and some food like organic breakfast burritos. Evan’s Brothers is in downtown Sandpoint in the Granary Arts District.
524 Church St.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 265-5553
The Floating Restaurant
True to its name, this 35-year-old restaurant sits on a floating dock in the Hope Marina. If you have a boat, make a night of it by boating to dinner (it takes about 30 or 40 minutes to get there from Sandpoint on the water). Plenty of slips are reserved for dinner guests. If you’d rather drive, that’s just fine too.
The best tables are definitely on the patio with views of the lake and Schweitzer Basin. Dishes are a tad decadent and include buffalo Burgundy stew with crème fresh and lobster ravioli with wild prawns. Reservations are recommended.
Highway 200
Hope, ID 83836
208 264-5311
Gourmandie
This gourmet food shop is worth the drive up to Mount Schweitzer, the local ski mountain, for cheese and charcuterie, salmon BLT sandwiches and an excellent wine selection.
10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Road
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
208 255-3084
Ivano’s Ristorante
If you want something slightly more formal in downtown Sandpoint, Ivano’s is probably your best bet. The Italian restaurant, a staple in Sandpoint since 1984, serves dishes such as shrimp scampi and pork Osso Bucco. Reservations are probably wise on busy summer weekends. Ivano’s also has a second location that opens during the summer in Beyond Hope. It has a patio with spectacular views of the lake.
102 South First Ave.
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
208 263-0211
Joel’s Mexican Food
I love Joel’s for a quick lunch. It’s also a great place for kids. Diners order at the counter and sit outside. I always order the salmon fish tacos, ceviche and bean tostadas.
229 Church St.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 265-8991
Jupiter Jane Traveling Café
This funky restaurant is located on a brightly colored bus that is typically parked near Evan’s Brothers coffee shop. Dishes include tacos, sandwiches and arepas, a Venezuelan corn cake with black beans, chicken, and cilantro-lime dressing.
408 759-2033
Panhandle Cone & Coffee
This ice cream shop makes unique flavors like peppermint fudge, salted caramel with brown butter cookie and huckleberry buttermilk. It opens early on Saturday morning. Grab a coffee and a cinnamon roll before perusing the shops on First Ave.
216 N. 1rst
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 265-8996
Bars
The Idaho Pour Authority
Opened since 2013, the Idaho Pour Authority stocks the best beers from around the West as well as some imports like Chimay. Enjoy beers on draft in the colorful space or take bottles to go. The bar also sells gourmet artisan food items like fine cheeses. Note that kids are not allowed.
203 Cedar St.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 597-7095
Laughing Dog Brewing
Just like every other city and town in the West these days, Sandpoint has great beer. Laughing Dog has been brewing craft beer since 2005. It has over 15 beers including IPAs, stouts and seasonal huckleberry ale. The Taproom is dog-friendly.
1109 Fontaine Dr.
Ponderay, ID 83852
208 263-9222
MickDuff’s Brewing Company
This brewery has both an Irish brewpub and a beer hall in downtown Sandpoint. The brewpub on North First Ave. serves casual food like hamburgers and hand-cut Idaho French fries. If you just want to toss back a pint, head to the beer hall on Cedar (you have to be 21 or older to go in) for a variety of beers on tap from light American Lager to Irish Red Ale as well as games and gourmet popcorn.
312 North First Ave.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 255-4351
Grocery Stores
Yoke’s
This is our favorite grocery store in Sandpoint. It’s a Spokane based chain of grocery stores and stocks great fresh produce. It also has a natural foods section and a good selection of wine.
212 Bonner Mall Way
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 263-4613
Winter Ridge Natural Foods
This locally owned natural foods market is a great alternative to the larger grocery stores in town. It also has a deli, juice bar and espresso bar.
703 W. Lake Street
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 265-8135
Shops
Alpine Shop
This is the best outdoor shop in Sandpoint. There are often great sales in the summer.
213 Church St.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 255-1660
Live Music
The Festival at Sandpoint
This annual concert series takes place the first two weeks in August on Sandpoint’s Memorial Field. There are grandstands, but most people sit in the grass on blankets or low back chairs. What’s really amazing is outside food and drink (including alcohol) is allowed at every concert. The food stalls — all local restaurants — are great, so you may want to plan on eating dinner there. Concerts do sell out, but you can usually scalp tickets outside.
Located at Memorial Field on Ontario St.
208 265-4554
The Hive
This is a great indoor live music venue in downtown Sandpoint featuring bands like Yonder Mountain String Band and Pimps of Joytime. The Hive typically holds a special lineup of concerts to coincide with the Festival.
207 N. First Ave.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Activities
Arts and Crafts Fair
The Pend Oreille Arts Council’s annual art fair at Sandpoint City Beach takes place each August and includes artist booths, kids activities and live entertainment.
Sandpoint City Beach
Biking
For a challenging road ride, do the nine-mile climb up Schweitzer Mountain. The resort also has a Mountain Bike Park, and Sandpoint has 9.5 miles of bike trails. For bike rentals, check out Greasy Fingers.
Downtown Yoga
Classes ranging from Power Vinyasa to Buddhist Meditation are held daily. Free community yoga is held Sunday mornings at 8 am.
301 Cedar St. #105
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208 255-1508
Farmer’s Market at Sandpoint
At Farmin Park in downtown Sandpoint, visitors will find a bountiful farmer’s market each Wednesday and Saturday. Vendors sell locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods and arts and crafts. It runs 3pm-5:30 pm Wednesdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays.
Farmin Park- Third Ave. and Oak St.
Grouse Creek Falls
This easy hike to a waterfall/swimming hole is great for families. It’s just about a mile to get there. The water can be icy cold, but the natural waterslides are so much fun you may not mind.
Driving directions: Go six miles east on Highway 200 from Sandpoint, then north onto Colburn-Culver Road. Drive six miles to the Grouse Creek Cut-Off Road on the right then about two miles to join Grouse Creek or Forest Service Road 280. Take a right and continue approximately four miles staying on Road 280. Watch for a small open meadow on the left. Just beyond the meadow on the right is an unmarked road going down a hill to trailhead #83.
Have more travel plans in the Pacific Northwest? This seafood-inspired road trip should make you hungry. And Portland, Oregon is always a good spot to start your adventure.