Lake Drive fall paradise
The Inland Northwest treated us all to a beautiful October. The fall colors have been predictably spectacular, and one of the best places to see them is along Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive.
Located south of the Sherman Avenue exit at Interstate 90, and just south of the entrance to The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, the drive along Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive around Bennett Bay can’t be topped as far as picturesque lake views go, and that distinction extends to all seasons of the year.
Lake Drive has its own slate of attractions — Silver Beach Marina, Tony’s On the Lake and, of course, the golf course, but it’s the Coeur d’Alene Parkway, the 5.7-mile stretch of the North Idaho Centennial Trail that makes it truly special. It’s a gorgeous place to stroll.
I have fond memories of each one of my four kids riding in a stroller as babies along the trail. With four walkers now, it requires a little more parenting (that cyclist isn’t slowing down, kids, move to the side!), but it’s always a rejuvenating experience.
Walk along Lake Drive and you can’t help but fantasize about owning one of the homes above, especially when marveling at the docks owned along the shore by those property owners. Congratulations, homeowners, your view is amazing. Sorry my kids are screaming as we pass along.
There are a couple of homes currently listed online that offer one of these private dock options. One, which rests above the trail before it turns into Bennett Bay, is a huge and amazing house, and if someone wants to give me the million-plus bucks to buy it, hit up that email address at the bottom of the story. There’s another one with a private dock that sits deeper into Bennett Bay, also well over the million-buck mark. I wouldn’t be mad about owning that home either.
Venture up the hill above Lake Drive (use the roads) and you’ll find some more incredible living options, including within the gated community of Syringa Heights. Existing homes pop up for sale in there, including currently a 5,000-square-foot dream home with predictably spectacular panoramic lake views. That’s up past the million-dollar mark too, but you’ve got a few land/lot options starting around $430,000. If that’s all you can afford, maybe skip building a house and get a nice tent?
For a little less cash, less space and no dock, there are a couple of active listings with great views near the end of the Parkway closer to the Higgens Point boat launch and picnic area — we’re looking at 2,600-2,800-square-foot homes circling the $775,000 range. And oh look, another million-plus dollar beauty with a private dock. I should have found a more lucrative career.
If the prices here are a little intimidating but you still fancy being close, there’s some more affordable options back closer to Sherman at Fernan Lake, with homes without lakeview starting in the $400,000s and lots starting at $90,000. The full-on lakefront houses there also top off a little short of a million… usually. Look, I’m trying to keep a good attitude about this. Luckily the Centennial Trail makes it easy for the rest of us to visit regularly. I’ll try to keep the kids quiet.
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Let us know about standout neighborhoods and developments to feature in an upcoming Neighborhood of the Week. Contact Tyler Wilson at twilson@cdapress.com.
Real Estate Agents, take advantage of Neighborhood of the Week by sending in your suggestions for featured areas, including sites outside the confines of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum and Hayden.