Sandpoint, Idaho
On the Shores of Sparkling Lake Pend Oreille, Trendy Sandpoint Boasts a Nice Downtown, Fun Festivals and a Bounty of Outdoor Recreation
In Idaho’s scenic panhandle, 60 miles south of British Columbia, Sandpoint is an outdoor recreation hub. It has won national accolades for its natural beauty and is noted as one of the country’s top outdoor towns. Rand McNally has called it the most beautiful small town in America.
It is easy to understand why since Sandpoint sits along the northern shore of sparkling Lake Pend Oreille, a 43-mile long body of water surrounded by blue-hued mountains. Boaters, hikers, fishermen, students (North Idaho College has a small campus here) and snow skiers (Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort is nearby) all love it here. The town is also popular with retirees in search of laid back Western living, gorgeous scenery and a cool climate.
In fact, 37% of the population is age 45 or better, and 25% of all residents hold at least a four year college degree. Most locals tilt to the right politically. Sandpoint has grown 18% within the last decade but still has little racial diversity.
The median home price is $550,000. Housing stock includes Alpine chalets, bungalows, Craftsmans, cabins and others.
Sandpoint has a bit of a resort atmosphere. The trendy downtown boasts restaurants, shops, coffee houses, offices, art galleries and pubs (Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale is a favorite beverage). The brick buildings date from the 19th-century and are in good shape.
And while the great outdoors beckon at every corner, Sandpoint also has a touch of culture. Each August local studios open to the public during the Artist Studio Tour. For music lovers, the annual Festival at Sandpoint brings a variety of acts to town for 10 days of great tunes and good food. Theatrical performances take place at the Panida Theater, a beautifully renovated 1927 Spanish Mission-style building.
Other events include the annual Winter Carnival and Lost in the 50s, a classic car show. The farmers’ market is a popular spot, with fruits, baked goods, locally grown huckleberries and cheeses for sale (and with plenty of toe-tapping music).
Bonner General Hospital is a non-profit facility with 48 beds and provides 24-hour emergency care.
SPOT (Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transportation) provides free bus/van transportation within town and travels to neighboring towns. Amtrak has service to Seattle, Portland and Chicago. The closest international airport is in Spokane, Washington, 75 miles to the south west.
The elevation is 2,085 feet above sea level. Summers are spectacular with temperatures rarely reaching 90 degrees. Rainfall approaches 30 inches in the spring and summer. Winters receive up to 80 inches of snow with temperatures in the teens, 20s and 30s.