Kent's Local Favorites
I've been living here for over 30 years. Visitors ask me every single day — where should we eat? Where's a good beach? What should we do with the kids? So I finally wrote it all down. These are the places I actually go, the spots the locals know, and the things worth doing when you're not out on the water with us in one of our amazing rental boats!
But if you ask Kent his personal favorite spot in all of North Idaho? It's not a restaurant, a trail, or a beach. It's out on the water — which is exactly why our slogan is what it is: #Life's Better In A Boat.
RESTAURANTS
My favorite places to eat in CDA — no fluff, just the good stuff.
HUDSON'S HAMBURGERS
A CDA institution since 1907. No frills, no menu — just burgers made fresh with local ingredients at a lunch counter that hasn't changed in decades. If you've never been, it's a must. Get there early because they sell out.
📍 207 E Sherman Ave
TERRAZA
Best Mexican food in town, hands down. The real deal is the patio views of the Spokane River. Go for happy hour if you can.
📍 Downtown CDA on the Spokane River
ATILANO'S MEXICAN FOOD
Best breakfast burrito in the area — and I'll stand by that. Huge portions, fresh ingredients, and open early so it's perfect before a day on the water. The Super Breakfast Burrito is the move. Drive-thru makes it fast and easy. For lunch my favorite is the Chile Relleno Burrito.
📍 218 E Appleway Ave, Coeur d'Alene
BLUE PLATE CAFE
A true locals' spot in Hayden — open early, cheap prices, good food, fast service, and fun salt and pepper shakers. The kind of diner where everybody knows everybody. Open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday. Expect a short wait on weekends but it moves fast. Perfect before a morning on the lake. My favorite on the menu is biscuits and gravy and for lunch the dragon burger.
📍 10015 N Government Way, Hayden
Note: Closed Sundays and Mondays.
FISHERMAN'S MARKET & GRILL
North Idaho's only real fish market — and one of the most underrated spots in CDA. Fresh halibut, fish tacos, po'boys, a full sushi bar, and live shellfish you can buy by the pound to take home. The fish tacos are some of the best you'll find anywhere. If you're a seafood person, don't miss this one. Casual, affordable, and the quality is the real deal. The Mahi Mahi Taco Salad is huge and incredible.
📍 215 W Kathleen Ave, Coeur d'Alene
Note: Closed Sundays and Mondays
SWIMMING & BEACHES
CITY BEACH (INDEPENDENCE POINT)
The most popular beach in town and for good reason — big sandy beach, shallow water, lifeguards in summer, and a playground right next to it. Great for families with young kids. Connected to McEuen Park so there's plenty of space to spread out.
📍 Off Front Ave, downtown CDA
SANDERS BEACH
This is the local's beach. Tucked behind Tubbs Hill, away from the crowds, soft sand and warm clear water. No lifeguards or facilities, but the quiet and the views more than make up for it. Park along East Lakeshore Drive and walk in.
📍 East side of Tubbs Hill, Coeur d'Alene
TUBBS HILL BEACH
Hike the Tubbs Hill trail and you'll find small hidden beaches and rocky coves along the way. Some of the best swimming on the lake — and cliff jumping spots for the adventurous. Go early if you want a quieter experience.
📍 McEuen Park trailhead, downtown CDA
HONEYSUCKLE BEACH (HAYDEN LAKE)
A great option if you want something a little quieter than CDA. On Hayden Lake, with a dock for swimming, free parking, restrooms, and shaded areas. Perfect for families and great for launching a paddleboard or kayak. The parking lot fills up very early with minimal spots. There is a quiet cove off of the dike perfect for just floating around.
📍 Honeysuckle Beach Rd, Hayden
FARRAGUT STATE PARK — BEAVER BAY BEACH (LAKE PEND OREILLE)
Worth the 30-mile drive north if you want something truly different. Farragut sits on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille — Idaho's largest lake and the 5th deepest in the country. Beaver Bay Beach is a horseshoe-shaped sand beach and one of the only spots on the lake where the water actually warms up enough to swim comfortably in summer. The park itself is stunning — 4,000 acres of forest, trails, and history (it was a massive WWII naval training station). No pets on the beach, but the whole family will find plenty to do. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available right at Beaver Bay in summer.
📍 13400 Ranger Road, Athol, ID (about 30 min north of CDA)
Tip: There's a day-use fee to enter the park — bring cash or a card. Arrive early on summer weekends as the beach gets busy by mid-morning.
HIKES & OUTDOORS
North Idaho doesn't get enough credit for its hiking.
TUBBS HILL (EASY — 2.2 MILES)
The most accessible trail in CDA and one of my favorites. Starts right at McEuen Park downtown and loops around the hill with nonstop lake views. Hidden beaches, cliff jumping spots, great sunsets. Family-friendly and dog-friendly. No excuse not to do this one.
📍 McEuen Park, downtown CDA
Tip: Go counterclockwise to hit the beach early on the loop.
MINERAL RIDGE (MODERATE — 3.3 MILES)
Switchbacks through the forest with panoramic views of Lake CDA and Beauty Bay at the top. Benches along the way to rest and take it in. Keep an eye out for bald eagles — the area is well known for them. Great for older kids and dogs.
📍 Beauty Bay, east side of Lake CDA
Tip: Bring water and plan for about 90 minutes round trip.
ENGLISH POINT TRAILS — HAYDEN (EASY — MULTIPLE LOOPS)
This one is personal. My family spent years on these trails and it's still one of my favorite places. English Point is a National Recreation Trail tucked into a small pocket of National Forest on the west side of Hayden Lake — surrounded by big trees, crossing small bridges, and winding through forest so quiet you forget you're minutes from town. There are five loops to choose from: the Red loop (1.6 miles, hikers only) is the most peaceful, and the Yellow loop (3.4 miles) is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horses. Both are flat, well-marked, and good for all ages. Open year-round — it's genuinely magical in the snow. Dogs welcome on leash. Free parking with restrooms at the trailhead.
📍 English Point Road, Hayden (off Lancaster Road — about 7 miles north of CDA on Hwy 95, turn right on Lancaster for 3.5 miles, then right on English Point Road)
Tip: The Yellow loop gets muddy in spring — wear waterproof shoes if it's been raining.
CHATCOLET TO HARRISON BIKE RIDE (EASY — 16 MILES ROUND TRIP)
This is one of my favorite bike rides to do in all of North Idaho. Start at the Chatcolet trailhead at Heyburn State Park and ride north along the shoreline of Lake CDA into the town of Harrison — about 8 miles each way on a flat, fully paved trail. The highlight is crossing the Chatcolet Bridge, a century-old railroad trestle over the lake that feels like a rollercoaster going downhill. Keep your eyes open for white pelicans, moose, and bald eagles along the way.
📍 Chatcolet Trailhead, Heyburn State Park (about 45 min south of CDA)
Tip: Go on a weekday if you can — summer weekends get busy on the trail between 10am and 1pm.
NORTH IDAHO CENTENNIAL TRAIL
23 miles of paved trail running from the Idaho/Washington state line all the way to Higgins Point on Lake CDA — perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. The trail runs right past our dock at Lakeside Marina, so if you're out riding and spot the boats, you've found us. Past our dock heading east, the trail follows the lake shoreline with stunning views the whole way to Higgins Point, where there's a picnic area overlooking the water. Start at Atlas Mill Park where you can stop, get in the water, and let the dog loose. Atlas Mill Park is a standout — a 12.5-acre waterfront park right off the trail with a fenced dog park where dogs can swim in the river, a designated swim area for people, a kayak launch, a playground, and picnic shelters. It's one of the best-kept secrets in CDA for families and dog owners. The trail also runs through McEuen Park downtown, which has its own off-leash dog park, splash pad, and lake access. Ride as little or as much as you want — the whole thing is flat, paved, and family-friendly.
📍 Pick up the trail at McEuen Park downtown or Atlas Mill Park
RENT A BOAT WITH US
Honestly? Nothing beats a day on the lake. Pack some lunch, bring the sunscreen, and tube, swim, and explore. It's the thing families remember for years.
Text Kent: (208) 762-7570